- May 2 George Wyle [Bernard Weissman], American composer ("The Ballad of Gilligan's Island"; "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"), and orchestra leader (The Flip Wilson Show), dies at 87
- May 5 David Lewin, American composer, dies at 69
- May 11 Noel Redding, English bassist (The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Purple Haze"), dies from cirrhosis of the liver at 57
June Carter Cash (1929-2003)
May 15 American Grammy Award-winning country singer (The Carter Family; Johnny Cash Show), songwriter ("Ring of Fire"), and actress, dies from complications after heart valve replacement surgery at 73
- May 23 Csaba Szabo. Hungarian composer, dies at 67
- May 23 Edward Boguslawski, Polish composer, dies at 62
- May 25 Jeremy Michael Ward, American musician (The Mars Volta), dies of a heroin overdose at 27
- May 27 Luciano Berio, Italian composer (Chemins), dies at 77
- May 28 Janet Collins, American ballerina, choreographer, and teacher, dies at 86
- May 30 Mickie Most [Michael Hayes], British record producer (Herman's Hermits; The Nashville Teens; Donovan; Lulu), dies of stomach cancer at 64
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers