- May 1 William Primrose, Scottish violist (Method for Violin & Viola), dies at 77
- May 5 Cal Tjader, American Latin jazz vibraphonist, dies of a heart attack at 56
- May 11 Piet van Egmond, Dutch organist and conductor (Netherlands Chamber Orchestra), dies at 70
- May 12 Humphrey Searle, British composer and musicologist (Twentieth Century Counterpoint; The Music of Franz Liszt), dies at 66
- May 13 Gara Garayev [Kara Karayev], Soviet-Azerbaijani composer (Seven Beauties), dies at 64
- May 13 Renzo Rossellini, Italian composer, dies at 74
- May 26 Nanny Larsén-Todsen, Swedish opera singer, dies at 97
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers