Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise

Bobby Charles Passed Away

jan 10 news bobby charlesSongwriter Bobby Charles passed away this morning; the cause has yet to be determined. The writer of “Walking to New Orleans” and “See You Later Alligator” had struggled with ill-health for years, including back problems and a bout with cancer that was in remission. Those problems led him to miss a scheduled appearance at the Ponderosa Stomp in 2004 and Jazz Fest in 2007. Evidently he fell recently and was bedridden as a result. It was after that fall that he died.

Charles had completed work on a new album, which is due out next month.

More when we know more.

For more on Charles, here’s Scott Jordan’s 1998 feature story on Charles, Geoffrey Himes’ guide to Charles’ writing, an interview Alex Rawls did with him in 2007, and a feature he wrote for Blurt after the release of 2008’s Homemade Songs. Here’s a review of Homemade Songs.

  1. Jef Jaisun says:

    One of the best songwriters ever.

  2. C.A.BlanChard,III says:

    REAL DEAL….a Louisiana TREASURE,WHO Shunned Da`Spotlight Cher`! Still Managed to write SO MANY HIT SONG`S for others!

  3. Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alex_Rawls: A little more on Bobby Charles’ death including links to some recent writing Geoff Himes and I have done on him. http://bit.ly/6SxlxK...

  4. John Taber says:

    May the four winds blow him safely home… RIP Bobby

  5. [...] News of Charles’ death is confirmed on the Web site of Offbeat magazine. He was 71. McKee’s latest album, I’m That Way, was devoted to covers of Charles’ songs. In the course of its production, she became friends with him, and contributed vocals to an album he finished just before his death. [...]

  6. [...] of Welkville. Silliness has always been a reliable part of the pop firmament. But Bobby Charles, who has died, has lots of other great songs besides his first hit. It’s the self-titled stoner classic [...]

  7. [...] Bobby Charles Passed Away :: offBeat :: Louisiana and New Orleans … [...]

  8. Andries van den Berg says:

    No more “See you later aligator”. He will be missed

  9. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by nodepression, WWL-TV News Desk, groovescapes, josh charles, OffBeat Magazine and others. OffBeat Magazine said: YouTube du Jour: a Jazz Fest tribute to Bobby Charles http://bit.ly/4uoOWS [...]

  10. stefan nilsson from sweden says:

    a tragic loss, he was one of the greatest

  11. Angelyn Guidry says:

    This was my grandpa…
    rest in peace pop.
    i love you.
    & the family will never be the same without you.

  12. Kim says:

    Bobby, you must be in a good place now as your song…

  13. I am very,very,sad ! See Ya later alligator !! We'll meet someday! I aspire to greatness akin to yours.

  14. [...] Bobby Charles 1938-2010 (offbeat.com) [...]

  15. [...] on Bobby Charles:Aquarium DrunkardOffbeat MagazineThe [...]

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