The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.

FILE - Artist Billy Joe Shaver poses backstage following his concert "Billy Joe Shaver presented by WMOT/Roots Radio" at City Winery Nashville in Nashville, Tenn. on April 1, 2017. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Outlaw country singer songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, who wrote songs like “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train” and “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” has died He was 81. His big break came when Jennings recorded several of Shaver's songs for his 1973 album “Honky Tonk Heroes," which helped popularize the outlaw country genre and turn the maverick country artists into legends. "There weren’t another other way to be/For lovable losers, no account boozers/And honky tonk heroes like me," Shaver wrote in the title track. Shaver wrote songs that were covered by Elvis Presley, Patty Loveless, George Jones, Tex Ritter, Tennessee Ernie Ford and John Anderson.

WACO, Texas – Honky-tonk hero and 81-year-old Outlaw Country legend Billy Joe Shaver died Wednesday after suffering a “massive” stroke in Waco, according to SiriusXM. Rest in peace to Outlaw Country legend Billy Joe Shaver, who has died at the age of 81. https://t.co/jS0fI5IOlH pic.twitter.com/n4eQCsshKF — SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) October 28, 2020Shaver was born in Corsicana in 1939 and released his debut album, “Old Five and Dimers Like Me” in 1973. He released his final album in 2014 and continued recording and touring until his death, Rolling Stone wrote. “Billy Joe Shaver might’ve been the only true outlaw whoever made his living writing about the inner workings of his heart. Shaver’s death comes just days after the death of another county legend, Jerry Jeff Walker.