- Oct 1 Al Jackson Jr., American session drummer, known as "The Human Time Keeper" (Stax; Booker T. & MGs - "McLemore Avenue"), murdered by an intruder in his home at 39 [1]
- Oct 8 Alberto Hemsi, Turkish born composer and collector of Sephardic Jews music, dies at 78
- Oct 17 Vittorio Gui, Italian conductor and composer (Batture d'aspetto), dies at 90
- Oct 26 Herman van San, Belgian classical and electro-acoustic composer, dies at 46
- Oct 28 Oliver Nelson, American saxophonist, jazz and soundtrack composer, arranger, bandleader, and record producer (The Blues and the Abstract Truth; The Six Million Dollar Man), dies of a heart attack at 43
- Oct 29 John Scott Trotter, American orchestra leader (George Gobel Show), dies at 67
- Oct 31 SD Burman, Indian singer and film music composer (Zindagi Zindagi), dies at 69
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers