- Oct 5 Gustaf Adolf Tiburtius Bengtsson, Swedish composer, dies at 79
- Oct 15 Carl Hoff, American orchestra leader (Music Hall), dies at 60
- Oct 18 Frank Hutchens, composer, dies at 73
- Oct 21 Bill Black, American bandleader and bassist who worked with Elvis, dies of a brain tumor at 39
- Oct 21 Marie McDonald, American singer and actress known as "The Body Beautiful" (Promises Promises), dies of an accidental drug overdose at 42
- Oct 26 Hans Knappertsbusch, German conductor (Bavarian State Opera, 1922-36), dies at 77
- Oct 27 Edythe Wright, American big band era singer (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, 1935-39), dies of pancreatic cancer at 51
- Oct 28 Earl Bostic, American jazz alto saxophonist ("Flamingo"; "Temptation"), dies at 52
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
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Rock Singers