- May 3 Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Egyptian singer and composer (b. 1907)
- May 8 Jean Langlais, French organist, and composer (Missa Salve Regina), dies at 84
- May 9 Rudolf Serkin, Bohemian-American concert pianist (noted for Beethoven interpretations), and pedagogue (Curtis Institute; Marlboro School of Music), dies of cancer at 88
- May 15 Lawrence "Bud" Freeman, American jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and composer ("The Eel"; "Zen Is When"), dies of cancer at 84
- May 20 Julian Orbon De Soto, Cuban composer, dies at 65
- May 23 Wilhelm Kempff, German pianist and composer (Unter dem Zimbelstern), dies at 95
- May 23 William Sinnot, Scottish pop musician (Shamen), dies at 30
- May 24 (Harold Eugene) Gene Clark, American singer-songwriter (The Byrds - "Eight Miles High"), dies from natural causes brought on by bleeding ulcer at 46
- May 27 Leopold Nowak, Austrian musicologist (International Bruckner Society; Mozart's Requiem), and educator (Vienna University, 1932-73), dies at 86
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers