- May 2 William L. Dawson, American choir director, composer (Negro Folk Symphony), educator, and musicologist, dies at 90
- May 8 Luigi Nono, Italian avant-garde composer (Intolleranza), dies at 66
- May 9 Patrick Piggott, British pianist, composer, and musicologist (The Life & Music of John Field; The Innocent Diversion - Music in the Life and Writings of Jane Austen), dies at 74
- May 14 Andre Ameller, French double bassist (Paris Opéra, 1937-53), conductor, composer, and educator (École Nationale de Musique - Dijon, 1953-81), dies at 78
Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990)
May 16 American vaudeville, stage, and screen dancer, singer ("The Candy Man"), actor (Ocean's 11), and Rat Pack member, dies of throat cancer at 64
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