- May 12 Lillian Roth [Rutstein], American singer and actress (Animal Crackers; Alice Sweet Alice), dies at 69
- May 14 Wilhelm Weismann, German composer, dies at 79
- May 18 Ian Curtis, English rock singer-songwriter (Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"). commits suicide at 23
- May 30 Carl Radle, American bass guitarist (Derek and the Dominoes), dies of a kidney infection at 37
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers