Investigators identified the bodies as those of Armani Kelly, 27; Montoya Givens, 31; and Dante Wicker, 31.
"I will always be grateful for his efforts on my behalf back in the day," writes Billy Joel.
Strong -- who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, at the age of 81 in Detroit -- co-wrote some of Motown's most enduring hits.
Verlaine died peacefully and surrounded by friends in New York City.
Crosby has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, for his work in The Byrds and in Crosby, Stills & Nash.
"He was one of the closest friends I ever had and I loved him immensely," brother Gary Lee Conner wrote.
He also worked with Michael Jackson, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Rush and Rod Stewart and helmed dozens of awards shows.
Takahashi formed YMO in 1978 with co-founders Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Cordeiro was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest-working DJ.
Billboard remembers the artists who left us this year.
