- May 3 Narciso Yepes, Spanish classical guitarist (Orquesta Nacionale 1947), dies at 69
- May 5 Tolia Nikiprowetzky, French composer, ethnomusicologist and broadcaster of Russian heritage, dies at 80
- May 9 Willy Hess, Swiss musicologist, composer and famous Beethoven scholar, dies at 90
- May 14 Thelma Carpenter, American radio and jazz band singer (Coleman Hawkins; Count Basie), and stage and screen actress (Hello, Dolly!; Barefoot In The Park (TV); The Wiz (film)), dies of cardiac arrest at 76
- May 23 Lovie Lee [Edward Lee Watson], American electric blues pianist, singer, and songwriter, dies at 88
- May 26 Jack Jersey, Indonesian-Dutch singer and producer, dies at 55
- May 29 Jeff Buckley, American musician and singer ("Hallelujah"), drowns at 30
- May 30 West Arkeen, American musician, best known for co-writing several Guns N' Roses songs (It's So Easy, The Garden), dies of a drug overdose at 36
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers