The unhappy news of Prince's death is just the latest in a seemingly endless streak of bad news for music lovers in 2016. From David Bowie to Natalie Cole, fans have had plenty to grieve so far this year, but they've also had the opportunity to look back and celebrate some incredible lives and careers.
Salon compiled classic moments from 12 stars we lost in 2016:
Prince
The pop superstar died Thursday at his Minnesota estate at age 57.
Vanity
Prince's musical protégé and onetime girlfriend Vanity died on February 15. Like her mentor, Vanity was 57.
David Bowie
The starman died January 10 in Manhattan after a battle with cancer. He had celebrated his 69th birthday two days earlier.
Natalie Cole
2016 began on a sour note on January 1, as the family of singer-songwriter Natalie Cole announced the singer had died on New Year's Eve. The R&B singer and daughter of Nat King Cole was 65.
Merle Haggard
The Outlaw Country legend died at his home in California on April 6 at age 79.
Glenn Frey
Frey, a founding member of The Eagles, died at 67 on January 18.
Paul Kantner
The co-founder of Jefferson Airplane helped pioneer the "San Francisco sound" of the 1960s. Kantner died on January 28 at age 74.
Maurice White
The Earth, Wind & Fire founder and vocalist died at 74 on February 3 after battling Parkinson's disease for over twenty years.
George Martin
"The fifth Beatle," who produced much of the Fab Four's legendary catalog, died at the age of 90 on March 8.
Frank Sinatra, Jr.
The singer and son of Frank Sinatra died on March 16 while touring in Florida. He was 72.
Keith Emerson
The keyboardist and co-founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer committed suicide on March 11 at age 71.
Phife Dawg
The emcee and co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest died at age 45 on March 22. The rapper died of complications resulting from diabetes, a condition he referenced in his rhymes.
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