- May 1 Régine [Zylberberg], French singer and nightclub owner, dies at 92
- May 1 Ric Parnell, British rock drummer (Atomic Rooster; Spinal Tap), dies at 70 [1]
- May 7 Mickey Gilley, American nightclub owner (Urban Cowboy) and country singer (Roomful of Roses), dies at 86 [1]
- May 8 Dennis Waterman, English stage and screen actor (Fair Exchange; Minder; The Sweeney), and singer, dies of lung cancer at 74
- May 11 Alexander Toradze, Soviet Georgian-American concert pianist and music professor (University of Indiana, 1991-2017), dies of heart failure at 69
- May 13 Teresa Berganza, Spanish mezzo-soprano (Rossini), dies at 89
- May 15 Ricky Gardiner, Scottish rock guitarist (David Bowie - Low; Iggy Pop - Lust for Life), and composer, dies at 73
- May 17 Rick Price, British rock bassist (The Move, 1969-71; Wizzard, 1972-75), and pedal steel guitar player, dies at 77
- May 17 Shiv Kumar Sharma, Indian santoor (100-string dulcimer-like instrument) master, and composer, dies of cardiac arrest at 84
- May 17 Vangelis [Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou], Greek composer, keyboardist, and Academy Award winner (Chariots of Fire), dies at 79 [1]
- May 25 Jean-Louis Chautemps, French jazz and session saxophonist (Claude Bolling; Chet Baker; Elton John), dies at 90
- May 26 Alan White, British rock drummer (John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band; Yes, 1972-2022; solo - Ramshackled), dies at 72
- May 26 Andy Fletcher, British synthesizer and bass player (Depeche Mode - "Just Can't Get Enough"), dies of an aortic dissection at 60
- May 27 Boris Porena, Italian composer, music theorist, poet, and writer, dies at 94
- May 29 Ronnie Hawkins, American-Canadian rock musician, dies at 87
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers