Singers who died on May 9

Take a focused look at the singers who passed away on May 9. Dive into curated bios, achievements, and cultural milestones verified by our editors.

• 2010 Lena Horne

  Lena Horne was an acclaimed American singer, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist. She rose to prominence as a nightclub performer before securing roles in Hollywood movies during the 1940s, becoming one of the first African American actresses to sign a long-term contract with a major studio. [bio]