- May 1 Antonio Janigro, Italian cellist (Zagreb Soloists), dies at 71
- May 9 Keith Whitley, American country music singer ("Don't Close Your Eyes"), dies of alcohol poisoning at 33
- May 10 Woody Shaw, American jazz trumpeter (Rosewood), and educator, dies from kidney failure and other complications after being struck by a subway train in Brooklyn, NYC, at 44
- May 11 Jitka Snížková, Czech composer, music educator and musicologist, dies at 64
- May 12 Marcelle de Manziarly, French pianist and composer, dies at 89
- May 12 Ron Wilson, American percussionist (Surfaris, drummed on "Wipe Out"), dies of a brain aneurysm at 44
- May 15 Johnny Green, American singer (Body and Soul) and film score composer who won 5 Academy Awards, dies at 80
- May 22 Steven DeGroote, South African classical pianist, dies from multiple organ failure due to AIDS at 36
- May 23 Lindembergue Cardoso, Brazilian composer, and music educator (Brazilian Contemporary Music Ensemble), dies at 49
- May 29 John Cipollina, American rock guitarist (Quicksilver Messenger Service), dies from a longterm lung disease at 45
- May 30 Zinka Milanov (née Kunc), Croatian soprano (Ljubljana Opera 1927-34; NY Metropolitan Opera, 1937-66), dies of a stroke at 83
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers