We usually wait until the end of the year to reflect on the musical artists who passed during the preceding twelve months, but the collective talent that we've already lost in 2016 has been staggering.

Just weeks after being forced to say goodbye to Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland and legendary Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister during the final month of 2015, we were hit with the shocking loss of David Bowie – one of the most influential musicians and pop culture icons of the past half-century – just a week into the new year. And, during the weeks that followed, the sad news just seemed to keep coming.

In the gallery above, we take a look back on those we've already lost in 2016. And while they're not with us anymore, their words and music will continue to live inside all of us.

More From Diffuser.fm