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By BRIAN GIFFIN

AS any year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect and remember those who are no longer with us. The Reaper was brutal to the rock world in 2025, taking everyone from worldwide superstars to local legends and cult heroes. The wider world mourned the loss of Ozzy Osbourne only weeks after his monumental public farewell, of Kiss giant Ace Frehley following his deadly fall and the passing of the last New York Doll, David Johansen, The Damned’s Brian James, Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit and the tragedy of Mastodon’s Brent Hinds. Closer to home, we said goodbye to Skyhooks great Bob Starkie and legendary drummer James Baker, both after long battles with illness. Not all of them were as well known or as heralded, and not everyone made the headlines, but all of them will be missed for the gift of their music and talent they shared with us.

In this memorial gallery, we look, without prejudice, at those from the rock world we lost in 2025.

  • LA Guns – Waking The Dead

  • Bon Jovi – Keep The Faith

    $53.74
  • Motley Crue – Cancelled EP (CD)

    $30.08
  • Slash – Orgy Of The Damned CD and vinyl

    $23.33
  • Skid Row – Subhuman Race vinyl

    $57.03
  • Riley’s LA Guns – Renegades

    $65.99
  • Motley Crue – Shout At The Devil 40th anniversary boxed set

    $271.88
  • KISS – Creatures Of The Night 5CD blue ray boxed set

    $317.42
Brian Giffin

Author Brian Giffin

Brian Giffin is a metalhead, author, writer and broadcaster from the Blue Mountains in Australia. His life was changed forever after seeing a TV ad for 'The Number of the Beast' in 1982. During the 90s he wrote columns and reviews for Sydney publications On the Street, Rebel Razor, Loudmouth and Utopia Records' magazine. He was the creator and editor of the zine LOUD! which ran from 1996 until 2008, and of Loud Online that lasted from 2010 until 2023 when it unexpectedly spontaneously combusted into virtual ashes. His weekly community radio show The Annex has been going since 2003 on rbm.org.au. He enjoys heavy rock and most kinds of metal (except maybe symphonic power metal), whisk(e)y and beer.

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