- Oct 9 Roy Black, German singer/actor (Kinderarzt Dr Froehlich), dies
- Oct 16 Tonny Huurdeman, singer/actress (Frills), dies
- Oct 17 Tennessee Ernie Ford, American country music singer and actor (Sixteen Tons), dies of liver disease at 72
- Oct 25 Bill Graham, rock concert promoter (Filmore, Dylan), dies at 60
- Oct 25 Margo J. Sylvia, rocker (Tune Weavers), dies of heart attack and stroke at 55
- Oct 27 Andrzej Panufnik, Polish composer (Tragic Overture), dies at 77
- Oct 28 Sylvia Fine Kaye, US lyricist/composer, dies at 78