Our Music Community Mourns Robin Kaye and Her Husband Tom Deluca
While the shock of their passing reverberates, it is their lives—and the creative legacies they left—we will always remember.
On July 14, 2025, our music community lost two cherished figures: Robin Kaye, longtime American Idol music supervisor and founder of SyncroniCity, and her husband, Thomas “Tom” Deluca, a songwriter and musician whose career stretched from Nashville to national tours and into Hollywood’s creative circles. The couple, both 70, were tragically killed during a break-in in their Encino, California home. Their beloved dog was also lost in the attack.
Robin Kaye: The Steady Hand Behind the Music
Robin Kaye was the rare presence in television music supervision who could navigate the chaos of live broadcast with calm, empathy, and ingenuity.
She joined American Idol in 2009 and stayed with the series through 2023, supervising nearly 300 episodes. For contestants under intense scrutiny, she was often the first and last advocate in the room—the one who fought for the right song, the right arrangement, the right moment.
She secured clearances once thought impossible, from Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” to Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”, helping contestants like Didi Benami and Adam Lambert carve indelible memories into pop culture.
Beyond Idol, Robin guided music for Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe, Lip Sync Battle, The Singing Bee, and even early cult-TV like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Robin also founded SyncroniCity, her own consultancy, representing and working with artists including Andrea Bocelli and Kenny Loggins.
Her colleagues remember her not just for skill but for grace:
“Robin was a joy to work with… if there was a piece of music she couldn’t get permission for, she’d have numerous other ideas,” recalled Nigel Lythgoe, longtime Idol executive producer.
Ken Warwick, another Idol EP, said: “She always kept a cool head in a job that was difficult and manic… she always had a friendly and pleasant demeanor.”
Artists felt her imprint deeply, too. “Robin was such a huge part of my success… she fought for my song choices,” said Kris Allen, Season 8 winner. Nick Fradiani, Season 14 winner, remembered: “She looked after me like a son.”
Robin’s impact was quiet, steady, and deeply human. Contestants came and went, hits rose and fell, but her presence was constant—ensuring music’s power always served the story.
Tom Deluca: The Melodic Heart
While Robin worked behind the camera, Tom Deluca’s life was spent writing, performing, and recording music that traveled across rock, country, and film.
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in South Florida, Tom moved to Nashville in the late 1970s and quickly found himself signed to Charley Pride’s publishing company, Pi-Gem Music.
He co-wrote “Satisfied Man”, recorded by Molly Hatchet, and went on tour with the band. That exposure led to a contract with Epic Records, where his album was produced by James Guthrie—best known for his work with Pink Floyd.
Tom also wrote for artists including Kid Rock, Jennifer Rush (“Heart Over Mind”), and others, building a reputation as a versatile, reliable songwriter who could bridge rock edge with melodic accessibility.
His songs appeared in films like Adventureland (2009) and Below Utopia (1997), and in TV series including Oh Sit! (2012).
In 2022, Tom returned to his roots with the release of his album Street Rock, a deeply personal statement that reintroduced him to fans as an artist in his own right.
Those who worked alongside him describe a musician of generosity and grit—someone who carried the ethos of Nashville song-craft into every project.
A Life Together
Robin and Tom’s lives intertwined across decades of music and partnership. Robin built bridges between artists and rights holders; Tom built songs that gave those artists something to sing. Together, they were an anchor for friends, colleagues, and family alike—a couple defined by creativity, kindness, and commitment.
They are survived by extended family and a wide circle of collaborators and friends, many of whom gathered for a candlelight vigil at Encino Park on August 10, 2025, to honor their lives. Candles flickered as neighbors, colleagues, and strangers alike remembered two lives lost too soon, but never forgotten.
What We Carry Forward
Robin and Tom’s story reminds us that behind every song cleared, behind every track written, there are people who pour their lives into the music that moves ours.
And though silence now rests in their Encino home, the legacy of Robin Kaye and Tom Deluca carries on—in the contestants they championed, the songs they wrote, the lives they touched, and the community that will remember them.
A Moment for Us All
In just a swift moment, friends and family can be taken from us. Robin and Tom’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile our time together truly is. As we move through our own work—whether supervising, composing, or producing shows—let’s remember to cherish every person and every moment.
Take a moment. Call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken with in a while, the one you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Share a laugh, a memory, or just a moment of kindness. In doing so, we honor Robin and Tom—not only by remembering what they gave to music, but by taking care of ourselves and the community they cared about so much.
May Robin and Tom's memories always be a blessing.
