The singer was found in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills Hilton room on Feb. 11 at age 48. Although she battled a crack cocaine addiction for years, her music impacted the world in a powerful way. Survived by her daughter Bobbi Kristina, her music will live with fans forever.
Dick Clark
America will miss the beloved TV and radio personality who died at 82 of a heart attack on Apr. 18. Best known for hosting American Bandstand, after having a stroke in 2004, Ryan Seacrest replaced him on New Year's Rockin' Eve. He is survived by his three children and wife Kari Wigton.
Adam Yauch
The Beastie Boys co-founder died May 4 from a tumor in his salivary gland that was diagnosed in 2009. He was 47. Known by his stage name, MCA, the hip-hop icon was survived by his wife, Dechen Wangdu and his daughter Tenzin
Etta James
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008 and leukemia in early 2011, the blues singer died on Jan. 20 just before her 74th birthday. Having produced songs like, "At Last," James was a jazz and blues icon as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Davy Jones
The Monkees musician died Feb. 29 at age 66 of a heart attack in Martin Memorial South hospital in Stuart, Fla. Monkees singer Micky Dolenz said, "He was the brother I never had and this leaves a gigantic hole in my heart." He is survived by his wife, Jessica and four daughters.
Mike Wallace
The 60 Minutes correspondent died peacefully on Apr. 7 at a care center in New Canaan, Conn. Known by many as one of the toughest journalists in the industry, Wallace was dedicated to his work. He's survived by his wife, Mary Yates, a son and two stepchildren.
Leslie Carter
The sister to Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and singer Aaron Carter died at 25 of a drug overdose on Jan. 31 in upstate New York. Several prescription drugs were discovered near Carter’s body. A family source said, "She was happy stepping away from the show business and just living happily with her family."
Tommy Marth
The saxophonist for The Killers committed suicide at the age of 33. His body was found in his Las Vegas-area home on April 23. "Last night we lost our friend Thomas Marth. Our prayers are with his family," the band tweeted. "There's a light missing in Las Vegas tonight. Travel well, Tommy."
Levon Helm
The drummer and singer for The Band died on Apr. 19 at age 71. Helm had battled throat cancer since 1998. His wife Sandy and daughter Amy thanked his fans in a statement for "making his life so filled with joy and celebration."
Joe Paterno
The Penn State football coach of 61 years passed away Jan. 22, 2012 at the age of 85 after battling lung cancer. Paterno was fired as Penn State coach on Nov. 9, 2011 amid a child sex abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. His family said in a statement after his death, "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been."
Junior Seau
The famed NFL linebacker was found dead inside his Oceanside, Calif. home on May 2 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was 43 years old. The San Diego Chargers team released a statement, saying, ""Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family."
Sarah Burke
At the age of 29, the four-time Winter X Games champion passed away Jan. 19. Burke suffered irreversible brain damage nine days prior to her death after going into cardiac arrest during a training session in Park City, Utah.
Zalman King
The 1990 Wild Orchid's director and 1986's 9 1/2 Weeks producer died Feb. 3 at the age of 69. Charlie Sheen first reported his death on Facebook, writing, "The world lost a brilliant and noble soul today. My dear friend of 40 years, Zalman King, just lost his battle with cancer. Fought like a recon marine til the bitter end. Say a prayer for his amazing wife Pat and their lovely daughters. Safe travels my friend. C"
Maurice Sendak
The beloved children's book author and illustrator died May 8 of complications from a stroke. Sendak was best known for his 1963 classic, Where the Wild Things Are, which was adapted into a hit movie in 2009.
Ian Abercrombie
After suffering complications with kidney failure and lymphoma, the Seinfeld actor died at age 77 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Playing Mr. Pitt on the 90’s sitcom, Abercrombie’s career was jolted by the show. He is survived by three brothers.
Robert Hegyes
The Welcome Back Kotter star died of a heart attack Jan. 26 at 60. He died in Edison, N.J. after experiencing chest pains and calling for medical assistance. He had suffered a heart attack several years before. Hegyes is survived by three siblings, two children and two stepchildren.
James Farentino
The actor died in Los Angeles at 73 on Jan. 24 from a right hip fracture. Farentino was known for his roles on Dynasty, ER and Blue Thunder as well as almost 100 other TV credits. His wife, Stella and two sons survive him.
George Lindsey
Best known for playing Goober on The Andy Griffith Show, Lindsey died on May 6 in Nashville, Tenn. He was 83. "George Lindsey was my friend. I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit," Andy Griffith said. He is survived by a son, daughter and two grandsons.
Vidal Sassoon
The celebrity hairdresser, known for creating the modern "bob" and pixie cut in the 1960s, died of natural causes on May 9. Sassoon, who was known to have leukemia, was 84 years old. He made headlines when he gave Mia Farrow her icon pixie cut for the 1968 movie, Rosemary's Baby.
Jonathan Frid
The actor died on Apr. 13 of natural causes at age 87. He was best known for his work on the vampire soap opera, Dark Shadows. His other credits include The Devil's Daughter, Dial M For Murder and As The World Turns.
Thomas Kinkade
The famed artist, known as the "Painter of Light," died of natural causes at his San Francisco-area home April 6 at the age of 54. "I'm a warrior for light," the devout Christian artist told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002. "With whatever talent and resources I have, I'm trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel."
Mike Hossack
After developing cancer in 2010, the Doobie Brothers drummer died on Mar. 12 in his Wyoming home. Known as "Big Mike" to his bandmates, Hossack took a leave of absence after learning he had cancer to focus on his health. He is survived by his son, daughter and brother.
Ronnie Montrose
After having battled prostate cancer for five years, the guitarist passed away on Mar. 3 at 64. Montrose played in a multitude of artists including Van Morrison, The Neville Brothers and Sammy Hagar. He is survived by many family members.
Ben Gazzara
The actor died of pancreatic cancer on Feb. 3 at 81. A notorious method actor, Gazzara was nominated for three Tony awards for his work in Broadway's A Hatful of Rain and two Emmy awards for Run for Your Life. He is survived by his brother, wife and two children.
Charles "Skip" Pitts
The blues guitarist died of cancer at age 65 on May 1. Pitts was known for his unique use of the "wah-wah" pedal in his music, especially on his signature song—the theme for the film "Shaft" and for his band, the Bo-Keys. He is survived by his wife Beverly.
Jimmy Ellis
The "Disco Inferno" singer died at 74 in Rock Hill, S.C. Best known for the tune in the film, Saturday Night Fever with the band The Trammps, Ellis died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, according to the New York Times.
Don Cornelius
The 75-year-old creator of the musical TV show, Soul Train, died Feb. 1 of an alleged suicide from a gunshot wound to the head. "His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched," Quincy Jones said.
David Kelly
Best known for playing Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Irish actor died after a short illness in February at the age of 82. Kelly received a Screen Actor's Guilt nomination in 1998 for his role in Walking Ned Devine
Johnny Otis
Crowned the Godfather of Rhythm and Blues, Otis died on Jan. 17 in Los Angeles. He was 90. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Otis' sound was rampant in the 50's and impacted rock 'n' roll. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and many grandchildren.
Patricia Medina
Top Hollywood actress of the 1950s, the British-born actress died of natural causes on April 28 at the age of 92. She was best known for her roles in Orson Welles' Mr. Arkadin and William Witney's Stranger at my Door and Francis.
Zelda Kaplan
The fixture of New York's fashion scene died Feb. 15 after collapsing at a runway show for designer Joanna Mastroianni at Lincoln Center in NYC. She was 95.
Culled from:http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/stars-weve-lost-in-2012-2012145/22443
Whitney Houston