May 8 Renato Caccioppoli, Italian mathematician and pianist, takes his own life at 55 May 14 Sidney Bechet, American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader, and composer ("Petite Fleur"), dies of lung cancer on his 62nd birthday May 30 Thomas Carl Whitmer, American composer, dies at 85 Apr 1959 Deaths in Music by Year Jun 1959 Famous Musicians Country Singers Jazz Musicians Opera Singers Pop Stars Rappers Rockers
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers