- May 2 Jessica Cleaves, American soul singer and songwriter (The Friends of Distinction - "Grazing In The Grass"; Earth, Wind & Fire; Parliament Funkadelic), dies of complications from a stroke at 65
- May 3 Bobby Gregg, American drummer and record producer (Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"), dies at 78
- May 6 Antony Hopkins [Reynolds], British composer, pianist, conductor (Intimate Opera Company, 1954-62), writer, and radio broadcaster (Talking About Music, 1954-92), dies at 93
- May 7 Will Gaines, American-British tap dancer, dies at 86
- May 10 Nash the Slash [Jeff Plewman], Canadian progressive rock electric violinist, mandolin player, keyboardist and composer (FM), dies of a suspected heart attack at 66
- May 11 Ed Gagliardi, American bass guitarist (Foreigner, 1976-79 - "Feels Like The First Time"), dies from cancer at 62
- May 12 H. R. Giger, Swiss surrealist artist (album cover art for ELP - "Brain Salad Surgery"; Debbie Harry - "'KooKoo"), and Oscar-winning special effects designer (Alien), dies from injuries from a fall at 74
- May 18 Jerry Vale [Gennaro Vitaliano], American pop singer ("Arriverderci Roma"; "Have You Looked Into Your Heart"), dies at 83
- May 21 Teodor Grigoriu, Romanian composer, dies at 87
- May 28 David Nadien, American concert and session violin virtuoso, dies of pneumonia at 88
- May 28 James K. Randall, American composer, dies at 84
- May 29 Stefans Grové, South African composer (Nonyana, The Ceremonial Dancer; Cyclops; Glimpses), dies at 91
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers