- Dec 8 Razzle [Nicholas Dingley], British drummer (Hanoi Rocks), dies at 24
- Dec 15 Jan Peerce [Jacob Pincus Perelmuth], American tenor (NBC Symphony, 1938-55; NY Metropolitan Opera, 1941-67; "Bluebird of Happiness"), dies at 80
- Dec 19 Michel Magne, French experimental music and film score composer (Gigot; Barbarella), and recording studio owner (Château d'Hérouville). takes his own life at 54
- Dec 21 Judith Raskin, American soprano (Susanna-Le Nozze di Figaro), dies at 56
- Dec 22 Viola Wells [Evans], American jazz, blues, and gospel singer, dies at 82
- Dec 26 Gösta Jonsson, Swedish saxophonist, accordion player and bandleader, dies at 69
- Dec 29 Leo Robin, American songwriter ("Thanks For the Memory"; "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"), dies of heart failure at 84
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers