- May 1 Hugo Peretti, American songwriter and record producer (b. 1916)
- May 5 John William Haussermann Jr., American composer, dies at 76
- May 5 Rui Coelho, Portuguese composer, dies at 94
- May 7 Jeffrey Mylett, American actor and songwriter, dies at 36
- May 18 John Bubbles Sublett, tap dancer (Black & Bubbles), dies at 84
- May 19 Jimmy Lyons, American musician (b. 1931)
- May 20 Bernard Naylor, English Canadian composer, dies at 78
- May 30 Hank Mobley, US jazz saxophonist, dies at 55