Music Stars We Lost in 2014

A look back at the artists who crossed over this year.

See You at the Crossroads - As 2014 comes to an end, let's take a look back at some of the stars we lost this year who left an everlasting impact on the world of music.(Photos from left: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Martin Godwin/Getty Images, PNP / WENN)

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See You at the Crossroads - As 2014 comes to an end, let's take a look back at some of the stars we lost this year who left an everlasting impact on the world of music.(Photos from left: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Martin Godwin/Getty Images, PNP / WENN)

Frankie Knuckles - Dubbed the "Godfather of House," Frankie Knuckles, 59, reportedly died from complications brought on by Type II diabetes on March 31. Born in 1959, the Grammy Award-winning pioneer launched his DJ career while spinning soul, disco and R&B music at popular clubs in New York City and later Chicago. Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson tweeted, "jesus man. Frankie Knuckles was so under-appreciated. he was the dj that dj's inspired to be. true dance pioneer."(Photo: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

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DJ Frankie Knuckles  - DJ and music producer Frankie Knuckles, lauded as the "Godfather of House" music, died March 31 at the age of 59. The pioneering DJ began his career spinning soul, disco and R&B music at New York City nightclub The Warehouse. He relocated to Chicago in the late 1970s and opened his own club, The Power Plant, in 1982. In 1997, Knuckles won a Grammy in the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical category, and in 2004 a street in the Windy City was renamed Frankie Knuckles Way. The next year, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. (Photo: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

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DJ Rashad - DJ Rashad, one of the pioneering figures in the style of Chicago dance music known as Footwork or Juke, was found dead on April 26. Toxicology reports stated that the 34-year-old producer died of an accidental drug overdose from heroin, cocaine and alprazolam (Xanax) intoxication.Born Rashad Harden, he toured with Chance the Rapper in 2013 and performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival. He was known for the single "Let It Go" and his footwork album, Double Cup.(Photo: Courtesy Backspin Promotions)

Rodney 'DJ E-Z Rock' Bryce - Rodney 'DJ E-Z Rock' Bryce, of "It Takes Two" fame, died at age 46 on April 27. The cause of death was not disclosed. As one-half of the hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, the performer achieved critical acclaim with their above mentioned single and "Joy and Pain." The duo also released three albums, two of which achieved platinum and gold status, respectively, and another hit single. "R.I.P. to EZ Rock from Rob Base and EZ Rock," tweeted Biz Markie, who broke the news. "You will truly be missed."(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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DJ E-Z Rock - Rodney Bryce, popularly known as DJ E-Z Rock of the hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, died on April 27 at the age of 46.E-Z Rock and Base debuted in 1986 with "DJ Interview." Two years later, their single "It Takes Two" shot the duo to fame and sealed their place in musical legend. Rock and Base followed up the hit with a debut album of the same name and another big single, "Joy and Pain." The album was certified platinum in 1989, peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard 200.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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DJ Father Shaheed (Poor Righteous Teachers) - DJ Father Shaheed, of the New Jersey hip hop collective Poor Righteous Teachers, died in a motorcycle accident on May 26. The man behind the turntables for some of P.R.T.'s classics like "Rock Dis Funky Joint," "Shakiyla" and "Easy Star" was only 45. (Photo: BMG Records)

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Dr. Maya Angelou - Literary phenom, poet and grandmother to all, Dr. Maya Angelou passed away at 86 on May 28. Known for penning classics like “And Still I Rise” and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she also was highly respected throughout the recording industry. Dr. Angelou recorded a Calypso album in 1957 at the age of 29 and won two Grammy Awards for spoken word projects. In addition, she appeared on albums by the likes of Roberta Flack, Ashford & Simpson, Common and Kendrick Lamar over the years. (Photo: E. Neitzel/WireImage)

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Dr. Maya Angelou - Literary phenom, poet and grandmother to all, Dr. Maya Angelou passed away at 86 on May 28. Known for penning classics like “And Still I Rise” and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, she also was highly respected throughout the recording industry. Dr. Angelou recorded a Calypso album in 1957 at the age of 29 and won two Grammy Awards for spoken word projects. In addition, she appeared on albums by the likes of Roberta Flack, Ashford & Simpson, Common and Kendrick Lamar over the years. (Photo: E. Neitzel/WireImage)

Bobby Womack - Legendary soul man Bobby Womack passed away at 70 this year on June 27. The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is remembered for such classics as "If You Think You're Lonely Now," "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" and "Across 110th Street." (Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, file)

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Bobby Womack - Legendary soul man Bobby Womack passed away at 70 this year on June 27. The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is remembered for such classics as "If You Think You're Lonely Now," "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" and "Across 110th Street." (Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, file)

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Nicky Da B - Nicky Da B, a rising star from the New Orleans Bounce music scene, died on September 2 from complications related to an unnamed illness at the age of 24. Nicky, born Nickesse Toney, was most popularly known for his genre-bending vocals, fashion and music videos featuring Bounce culture.He was co-signed in his hometown by famed Bounce artists Big Freedia and Katey Red, with whom he performed, and came into his own fame with the 2011 release of "Hot Potato Style" and a 2012 feature on Diplo's "Express Yourself." He most recently released the song "Freaky B*****s." (Photo: Clayton Cubitt via YouTube.com)

Gerard Wilson - Jazz legend Gerard Wilson passed away from pneumonia at 96 on Sept. 8 in his Los Angeles home. The six-time Grammy nominee played, composed and arranged music for fellow jazz and blues greats, such as Count Basie, Dizzy Gillepsie, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn and many more.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Gerald Wilson - Jazz musician Gerald Wilson played his final tune on September 8 when he died of pneumonia at the age of 96. With an illustrious career spanning more than seven decades, the jazz trumpeter played, arranged and composed for the likes of Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn and Bobby Darin.Throughout his career, Wilson earned six Grammy nominations, including recognition in 1999 and 2004 for best large jazz ensemble for "Theme for Monterey" and "New York, New Sound."(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Simone Battle - Gone far too soon, singer Simone Battle committed suicide on September 5 at the age of 25. Battle was a former X Factor participant who was mentored by Simon Cowell and also a member of the group G.R.L.(Photo: AP Photo/Casey Curry/Invision/AP, File)

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Joanne Borgella - Joanne Borgella, a former American Idol contestant and reality television star, passed away on Oct. 18. In 2013, the 32-year-old Curvy Girls star was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer of the womb. "I still don't want to believe it,"wrote Borgella's friend and fellow plus-sized model Denise Bidot on Facebook. "I remember all the laughs and tears. Joanne you were an amazing woman and I will always cherish the moments we had. I hope you are up in heaven singing your heart out."(Photo: WENN)

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Joanne Borgella - Singer Joanne Borgella succumbed to a long battle with cancer on October 18 at the age of 32. After first hitting the scene on American Idol in 2008, she appeared in several reality shows, including NUVOtv's hit show Curvy Girls, in 2013, which she starred in until her fight became too much to bear. (Photo: WENN)

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Jimmy Ruffin - Motown vocalist Jimmy Ruffin died on November 17 at the age of 78. The R&B singer is remembered for hits like “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” and "Hold On (To My Love)." He was also the brother of the late David Ruffin of The Temptations.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Big Bank Hank (The Sugarhill Gang) - Big Bank Hank, one third of hip hop's first breakout group, The Sugarhill Gang, passed away on November 11 after a battle with cancer. The 57-year-old rapper, born Henry Jackson, first burst on the scene in 1979 spitting on the classic track "Rapper's Delight.(Photo: David Becker/Getty Images)

Photo By David Becker/Getty Images