- Dec 3 Hoyt Curtin, American composer (Hanna-Barbera cartoon theme songs), dies at 78
- Dec 15 Charles Dearnley, English church organist (Salisbury Cathedral; St Paul's Cathedral), and educator, dies at 70
- Dec 17 Erich Schmid, Swiss composer and conductor, dies at 93
- Dec 18 James Mitchell, American session baritone saxophonist (The Memphis Horns; Stax Records), dies at 69
- Dec 18 Kirsty MacColl, English singer and songwriter (Electric Landlady), dies when run over by a power boat in the National Marine Park of Cozumel at 41
- Dec 19 (Roebuck) "Pops" Staples, American gospel singer (The Staple Singers), dies at 85
- Dec 19 Milt Hinton, American jazz bassist (Cab Calloway) and session musician, dies at 90
- Dec 19 Rob Buck, American musician (10,000 Maniacs), dies at 42
- Dec 20 Adrian Henri, British poet and founder of poetry-rock group (Liverpool Scene), dies at 68
- Dec 23 Noor Jehan [Allah Rakhi Wasai], Pakistani singer and actress (Mela; Chann Way), dies at 74
- Dec 24 Nick Massi [Macioci], American bass vocalist, vocal arranger, and bassist (The Four Seasons, 1960-65 - "Sherry"; "Rag Doll"), dies of cancer at 65
- Dec 26 Paul Kont, Austrian composer, dies at 80
- Dec 27 Jack McVea, American swing jazz, and R&B clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader, dies at 86
- Dec 31 Eddy Shaver, American country-rock guitarist and songwriter, dies of a heroin overdose at 38
- Dec 31 José Greco, Italian-born American flamenco dancer and choreographer, dies of heart failure at 82
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