Prince’s Sister Tyka Nelson Dead at 64

Tyka Nelson, Prince’s only full sister, died at the age of 64 on Monday, her son confirmed.

No details were provided by President Nelson (that's her son's name), while other members of her family also reported the news.

She released four albums between 1988 and 2011 and announced her retirement from music in June. She’d been scheduled to appear at a farewell concert later that month, but it went ahead without her as a result of an unidentified illness.

READ MORE: Was Prince's Famous Rock Hall Guitar Solo an 'Act of Revenge'?

She shared parents with John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson with Prince, who also had five half-siblings. Tyka was involved in the extensive legal disputes over Prince’s estate after he died in 2016 without leaving a will.

In June she said she’d started work on a memoir about her life and family, telling the Minnesota Star Tribune: “I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing.”

Tyka Nelson On Prince’s Evasiveness Before His Death

She also reported that she’d been in contact with Prince up until the time of his death, but that he’d been evasive about his health. “He kept avoiding questions,” she said. “I kept getting mad.

“I felt like, ‘Talk to me for two seconds.’ He’d change the subject, make a joke and then we’d both laugh. He asked me could I find more information about our family… [he] wanted me to find Sharon’s number. I didn’t question it. It was like, ‘Send this picture to that person.’ ‘OK. What for?’”

She added: “A couple of times I said, ‘How are you really?’ He didn’t go into anything with me. That was bothering me, and he knew it was; but that was all he wanted to tell me.” She hinted that she was planning to go into more detail in her book.

Tawl Ross

Lucius "Tawl" Ross, rhythm guitarist for Funkadelic, died in early January at the age of 75. Ross appeared on the band's first three albums, but left in 1971 after a traumatizing experience with LSD. He released one solo album years later in 1995., a.k.a. Detrimental Vasoline - Giant Shirley

David Soul

David Soul, the actor and musician who starred in the '70s cop show Starsky & Hutch, died on January 4, aged 80. In addition to his acting career, he had a number of musical hits in both the U.S. and U.K., including "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady." 

Del Palmer

Del Palmer, who played bass and also served as engineer for Kate Bush, died in January at the age of 71 after reportedly dealing with "health issues over the last few years." Palmer played on every one of Bush's albums, starting with 1978’s Lionheart and in more recent years embarked on his own solo career, releasing three albums.

James Kottak

James Kottak, former drummer for the Scorpions, died in January at the age of 61. Kottak played with the band from 1996 until 2016, making him their longest-tenured drummer. "James was a wonderful human being, a great musician and loving family man," the Scorpions wrote on their social media. "He was our 'brother from another mother' and will be truly missed."

Brian McConnachie

Brian McConnachie, the writer best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, SCTV and National Lampoon, died in January at the age of 81. He initially made a name for himself in the ‘70s at National Lampoon magazine, the popular comedy publication that spawned several on SNL’s early writers. McConnachie joined the sketch show in 1978 and stayed for a year, though he continued sporadically contributing ideas even after he left. In 1982 he won an Emmy for his work on SCTV, and he later wrote episodes of The Simpsons, Shining Time Station and Noddy. McConnachie also acted, appearing in Caddyshack, Sleepless in Seattle and several Woody Allen films.

Leon Wildes

Leon Wildes, the attorney who represented John Lennon and Yoko Ono from 1972 through 1976 died in January at the age of 90. Wildes was responsible for helping Lennon and Yoko secure their permanent residence in the U.S., five years before Lennon was killed. Wildes later used what he learned in Lennon's deportation case to help others "[John] asked me personally, 'Not everybody can afford lawyers like you. Can we publicize this so everybody eligible can try to get it?'" he recalled to PBS in 2012. "And that's what I've been trying to do ever since."

Mary Weiss

Mary Weiss, lead singer with ‘60s girl group the Shangri-Las, died in January at the age of 75. The quartet formed in 1963 and enjoyed two hits the following year: "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" and its follow-up, the classic death disc "Leader of the Pack."

Melanie

The singer Melanie, one of only nine women who performed at Woodstock in 1969, died at the age of 76 on Jan. 23. She was best known for her 1970 song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," which was inspired by her experience at the festival.

Melinda Wilson

Melinda Wilson, the wife of Brian Wilson, died in late January. In addition to his spouse, Melinda was also Brian's manager and played a major role in helping him revitalize his career. "She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart," Brian wrote on social media. "She was my anchor. She was everything for us."

Read More: Brian Wilson Mourns Death of 'Beloved Wife' Melinda | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/brian-wilson-wife-melinda-dead/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Adele Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's mother, Adele, a highly important figure in the rocker's life, passed away at the age of 98. "There ain’t a note that I play on stage that can’t be traced back to my mother," Springsteen once said of her.

Toni Stern

Toni Stern, who collaborated closely with Carole King on the lyrics for "It's Too Late" and "Where You Lead" from 1971's Tapestry, died on Jan. 17 at the age of 79. The pair met in the late '60s in Laurel Canyon, California and soon began working together.

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers, best known as for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, died at age 76. He also made appearances in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Happy Gilmore (1996) and The Mandalorian, among other productions.

Wayne Kramer

Wayne Kramer of MC5 died of pancreatic cancer at age 75. Kramer spoke as recently as 2022 about a potential new MC5 album, though it did not come to fruition before his passing.

Aston 'Family Man' Barrett

Aston "Family Man" Barrett, best known for being the bandleader of Bob Marley's Wailers, as well as co-producer of the albums, died on Feb. 3 at 77 years of age. He also worked with acts like Lee "Scratch" Perry and Sly & Robbie.

Henry Fambrough

Henry Fambrough, the last remaining member of the Spinners, died in February at age 85. Their hits included "It’s a Shame," "Could It Be I’m Falling in Love" and "The Rubberband Man." They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Mojo Nixon

Mojo Nixon, the musician and actor best known for his novelty song "Elvis Is Everywhere," died of a "cardiac event" at 66 in February. "Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back," his family stated following his passing. "Heaven help us all."

Damo Suzuki

Damo Suzuki, the Japanese-born singer for the German experimental rock band Can, died in February after a decades-long battle with colon cancer. He was 74 years old.

Robert 'Corky' Stasiak

Robert "Corky" Stasiak, longtime engineer for the Record Plant, died in February following a battle with ALS. He worked with legends like Aerosmith, John Lennon, Jim Croce, Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Lou Reed, Johnny Winter, Peter Frampton and more

Greg 'Fritz' Hinz

Greg "Fritz" Hinz, drummer for Helix, died in February at the age of 68. Hinz had been a member of the Canadian hard rock band from 1982 until 1996, then returned again in 2009. "Fritz was the consummate rock drummer," his bandmate Brian Vollmer said in a statement. "It was his craft. He prided himself in his playing, and well he should have."

Tony Ganios

Actor Tony Ganios made his big screen debut in the 1979 coming-of-age comedy-drama The Wanderers. Two years later he’d appear opposite John Belushi in the film Continental Divide. Still, it would be a different 1981 flick that delivered his most recognized role. As Anthony Tuperello, aka Meat, Ganios was one of the stand out characters in the classic teen-sex comedy Porky’s. The movie became an unexpected hit, and Ganios reprised his role for two further sequels. Ganios died at the age of 64 following surgery for a spinal cord infection. 

Richard Lewis

Actor and comedian Richard Lewis died at the age of 76 in February. (In 2023, Lewis revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.) He was best known for his role as a fictionalized version of himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and also appeared in films like Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Leaving Las Vegas (1995) and more.

Paul Martinez

British session musician Paul Martinez died in February. He was best known for appearing on bass at Live Aid in 1985 with the reunited remaining members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, in addition to Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums.

Phil Collins

Brit Turner

Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner died in early March at the age of 57. He'd been battling brain cancer since 2022. "Brit was Blackberry Smoke's True North," the group wrote in a statement, "the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band."

Bob Heil

Bob Heil, best known for inventing the Talk Box effect unit, died at the age of 83. Peter Frampton received one as a Christmas present in 1974 and it can be heard on his 1976 release Frampton Comes Alive! "Can never thank Bob enough," Frampton wrote online. "Rest in power my friend."

Jim Beard

Jim Beard, a keyboardist for Steely Dan, died at the age of 63 following a "sudden illness." He'd played with the group since 2008. Over the years, he also worked with Pat Metheny, John Mayer, Al Jarreau, Steve Vai and more.

Eric Carmen

Eric Carmen, who first found fame as the lead singer of Raspberries, died in March of unspecified causes at the age of 74. Carmen also enjoyed a successful solo career, landing the hits "All By Myself," "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" and "Hungry Eyes," among others.

Steve Harley

Steve Harley, best known as the vocalist for the British glam rock group Cockney Rebel, died in March at the age of 73. Among the band's hits was "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)," "Judy Teen," "Mr. Soft" and a cover of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun."

Moscow Concert Hall Attack, 137 Victims

In March, a mass shooting and a case of arson at a Russian concert venue near Moscow claimed the lives of 137 people. The attack took place at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, where '70s rock band Picnic was performing.The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the tragedy and four suspects were arrested.

Gerry Conway

Gerry Conway, veteran folk and rock drummer who played with Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention and others, died in March at the age of 76. In his final years, Conway battled motor neurone disease, which results in the gradual loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. "What a lad, and what ingenuity and style," Stevens said in a post honoring Conway. "May God grant him the beautiful reward of peace everlasting."

Joe Flaherty

Actor Joe Flaherty, best known for his run on SCTV, Freaks and Geeks and the Adam Sandler film Happy Gilmore, died at the age of 82 after a "brief illness."

Chris Cross

Chris Cross, bassist for the English new wave band Ultravox, died at age 71. He also appeared in the original Band Aid video. "You were the glue that held the band together," his bandmate Midge Ure said following Cross' passing. "You were the logic in the madness and the madness in our lives. It was great to know and grow with you. You are loved and missed old friend."

John Sinclair

John Sinclair, an iconic figure of the counterculture movement and former manager of MC5, died in April at the age of 82. Sinclair was also a a poet, political activist and the leader of the White Panther Party, an anti-racist group founded in response to the Black Panthers.

Keith LeBlanc

Keith LeBlanc, a drummer and producer who worked with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, the Cure, the Rolling Stones, Annie Lennox, Tina Turner and more, died in April.

Michael Ward

Former guitarist for the Wallflowers Michael Ward died in April at the age of 57. He was a member of Jakob Dylan's group from 1995 to 2001, appearing on Bringing Down the Horse and (Breach).

CJ Snare, Firehouse

CJ Snare, founder and singer of Firehouse, died in April at age 64 following a multi-year battle with cancer. Snare helped form the band in the late '80s, and stayed with them alongside guitarist Bill Leverty and drummer Michael Foster for close to 40 years.

Dickey Betts

Dickey Betts, co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, died in April at the age of 80. The guitarist had been battling cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "Dickey was larger-than-life," his family said in a statement, "and his loss will be felt worldwide."

Mike Pinder

Mike Pinder, co-founder and the last remaining original member of the Moody Blues, died in April at the age of 82. In addition to his duties as a keyboardist and singer, Pinder contributed 27 songs to the band's catalog between 1964 and his departure in 1978.

Duane Eddy

Pioneering guitarist Duane Eddy died at the age of 86. The 1994 Rock Hall inductee was best known for his 1958 instrumental hit "Rebel-'Rouser." Among those who were influenced by his work: Ry Cooder, Steve Cropper, John Fogerty, George Harrison and Paul McCartney.

Richard Tandy

Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist Richard Tandy died on May 1 at the age of 76. "It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my longtime collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy," ELO bandleader Jeff Lynne wrote. "He was a remarkable musician and friend and I'll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together."

Daniel Kramer

Photographer Daniel Kramer passed away in May at the age of 91. Kramer shot the cover images of Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home (1964) and Highway 61 Revisited (1965), and also photographed Dylan extensively while he toured during those years.

Steve Albini

Producer and engineer Steve Albini, who worked with Nirvana, Pixies and more, died of a heart attack in May at the age of 61. He was also a member of bands Big Black, Shellac and Rapeman.

Dennis Thompson

Dennis Thompson, the drummer and last remaining member of MC5, died in May at the age of 75. Thompson joined the band in 1965, becoming part of the Detroit band's classic lineup.

Roger Corman

Filmmaker Roger Corman, known to many as "The King of Cult," died in May at the age of 98. Corman worked as a director, actor and producer on dozens of movies, including but not limited to: Not of This Earth (1957), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Apollo 13 (1995) and many more.

Susan Backlinie

Susan Backlinie, the actress and stuntwoman best known for appearing as the girl eaten by a shark in the opening scene of 1975's Jaws, died at 77. She also appeared in The Grizzly and the Treasure, 1941 and Day of the Animals. Her last on-screen appearance was in a 1982 episode of The Fall Guy.

David Sanborn

Saxophonist David Sanborn died at the age of 78. His playing can be heard on classics including David Bowie's "Young Americans," Bruce Springsteen's "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and Eagles' "The Sad Cafe," among others. He also worked with Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, James Taylor and many more.

John Barbata

John Barbata, best known for playing drums in Jefferson Starship in the '70s, died at the age of 79. Over the course of his career, he also played with the Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and others.

Charlie Colin

Charlie Colin, founding bassist of the band Train, died in May at the age of 58. According to his mother, Colin died after slipping in the shower while house sitting for a friend in Brussels, Belgium.

Doug Ingle

Doug Ingle, lead vocalist, organist and primary composer of the band Iron Butterfly, died in late May at the age of 78. Iron Butterfly was founded in 1966, they released their debut album in 1968 and within six months were prog rock stars.

Brian Humphries

Brian Humphries, who served as engineer for several of Pink Floyd's most famous releases, including The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, died in late May. He also worked on albums by Black Sabbath, the Kinks, Mott the Hoople, Traffic, Spooky Tooth, Squeeze and more.

Ed Mann

Ed Mann, the longtime percussionist for Frank Zappa, died in June at the age of 70. He also worked with Andy Summers, Kenny Loggins, Tammy Wynette, Los Lobos and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Mark James

Mark James, the songwriter behind classics like "Suspicious Minds," "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Always on My Mind," died in June at the age of 83.

Peter Collins

British producer Peter Collins died in early July at the age of 73. Among his list of accomplishments: Rush's Power Windows, Bon Jovi's These Days, Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime, Alice Cooper's Hey Stoopid, Gary Moore's After the War and many more.

Tom Fowler

Tom Fowler, the bassist best known for playing with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention as well as Ray Charles, died in July at the age of 73. Fowler made his recording debut with Zappa on 1973's Over-Nite Sensation and appeared on several more of his albums throughout the '70s, up to 1978's Studio Tan. He also appeared on Charles' final studio album, the Grammy-winning Genius Loves Company.

Joe Egan

Joe Egan of Stealers Wheel died on July 6 at the age of 77. Alongside Gerry Rafferty, he co-wrote the the band's most popular song, "Stuck in the Middle With You," which made the Top 10 in both the U.S. and U.K. Egan released two of his own solo albums, Out of Nowhere in 1979 and Map in 1981.

Carol Bongiovi

Jon Bon Jovi's mother, Carol Bongiovi, died on July 10, three days shy of her 84th birthday. "Our mother was a force to be reckoned with, her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family," a statement from the Bongiovi family read. "She will be greatly missed."

Jerry Miller

Jerry Miller, founding guitarist for Moby Grape, died in July at the age of 81. He also recorded with his own solo group, the Jerry Miller Band, collaborating with his former bandmates on many of their albums.

Abdul 'Duke' Fakir

Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the last surviving original member of the Four Tops, passed away from heart failure in July at the age of 88. The Four Tops were one of Motown's most successful acts, helping to launch the label to international fame. Among their hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Ain't No Woman" and more.

John Mayall

Blues legend John Mayall died on July 22 at 90 years old. He founded John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1963, whose members at various points included Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, John McVie and more. In 2024, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the musical influence category.

Greg Kihn

Baltimore-born singer, songwriter and guitarist Greg Kihn, best known for the hit "Jeopardy," died in August at the age of 1975 after a struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Jack Russell

Jack Russell, the original singer for Great White, passed away in August at 63 years old. "All those wonderful years together will be held close to our hearts," his former bandmates wrote on their social media. "It was a privilege and joy to share the stage with him – many shows, many miles and maximum rock."

Jerry Fuller

Songwriter Jerry Fuller, who penned hits like “Travlein’ Man” and “Young Girl,” died at the age of 85 due to complications from lung cancer. Over the years he collaborated with the likes of Glenn Campbell, Ricky Nelson and more.

Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes, the highly influential Brazilian jazz musician credited with helping to make bossa nova music popular worldwide, died at 83. Mendes signed with A&M Records in the '60s, promptly scoring a Top 50 hit, “Mas Que Nada.” He later recorded covers of songs by the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Buffalo Springfield and others.

Screamin' Scott Simon

Screamin' Scott Simon, who played piano and sang with Sha Na Na for over 50 years, passed away at 75 following a battle with sinus cancer. Simon also co-wrote the song "Sandy" from the movie Grease, sung by John Travolta.

Herbie Flowers

Bassist Herbie Flowers, who worked with Lou Reed ("Walk on the Wild Side") David Bowie (Space Oddity, Diamond Dogs), Elton John, Harry Nilsson (Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson), Cat Stevens and three members of the Beatles, died at 86 from unspecified causes.

Will Jennings

Will Jennings, a collaborator of both Steve Winwood's and Eric Clapton's, died in September at 80 years old. Jennings co-wrote Winwood's "Back in the High Life" and Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," among other hits.

Tio Jackson

Tito Jackson, an original member of the Jackson 5, died in September at the age of 70. In addition to recording with his brothers, Jackson also enjoyed a solo career as a blues guitarist.

J.D. Souther

Singer-songwriter J.D. Souther, who penned a number of songs for Eagles, died at the age of 78 in September. He was was Glenn Frey’s first songwriting partner.

Freddie Salem

Freddie Salem, guitarist for the Outlaws, died in September at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. "He was an electric performer and beloved musician and he will be missed," the band posted on social media.

Cat Glover

Catherine "Cat" Glover, a former choreographer, singer, dancer and rapper for Prince, died in September at the age of 60. No causes were specified.

Kris Kristofferson

Singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson died in late September at the age of 88. He collaborated with the likes of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Barbara Streisand, and his songs were recorded by Janis Joplin, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and more.

Dave Allison

Dave Allison, the original guitarist for Anvil, died on Sept. 30 at 68 years of age. Allison played on the group's first five studio albums before leaving in 1989.

Johnny Neel

Johnny Neel, former member of the Allman Brothers Band, died at the age of 70 in early October. "Aside from being an amazing musician and singer, Johnny was one of the funniest people on the planet — a true character," Warren Haynes said in a social media post. "'Johnny Neel stories,' as we refer to them in our little chunk of the music world, are legendary."

Cissy Houston

Cissy Houston, the mother of singer Whitney Houston, died in October at age 91. The elder Houston worked as a backup singer to Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and others, as well as sang with her own group, the Sweet Inspirations.

Jack Ponti

Jack Ponti, the New Jersey-based producer and songwriter who worked with Bon Jovi, Skid Row and Alice Cooper died in October at 66 years old. In the late '70s, Ponti played guitar in a band called the Rest, which included a pre-fame Jon Bon Jovi as the singer.

Paul Di'Anno

Paul Di'Anno, who sang on Iron Maiden's first two albums, died in October at the age of 66. "Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been traveling as a band for almost five decades," the band wrote on social media. "His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world."

Phil Lesh

Phil Lesh, co-founder and bassist for the Grateful Dead, died in October. He was 84 years old. "Phil Lesh changed my life," his bandmate Mickey Hart said on social media following the news. "There are only a few people you meet in your lifetime that are special, important, who help you grow spiritually as well as musically."

Next: Underrated Prince: The Most Overlooked Song From Each Album