New Orleans jazz lost one of its most respected musical educators when Clyde Kerr, Jr. died in his sleep at his New Orleans home. He was 67, and his cause of death is not determined, though he had been suffering from several health problems in recent months. It’s undeniable to say that he has left [...]
Obituary: Roy Carrier (1947-2010)
Roy Carrier, who performed at the recent New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, died unexpectedly from a heart attack at Opelousas, Louisiana, May 3. He was 63. Carrier was perhaps best known for being one of the last traditional zydeco artists whose style was heavily blues-influenced. One of nine children, he was born February 11, [...]
Obituary: Marva Wright (1948-2010)
The much beloved blues and gospel singer, Marva Wright, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in eastern New Orleans March 23. She was 62. Wright suffered back-to-back debilitating strokes in 2009 and never was capable of returning to the stage. She’d been living with her eldest daughter since her health deteriorated last year.
Wright was a [...]
Obituary: Bernard “Bunchy” Johnson (1952-2010)
Bernard “Bunchy” Johnson, an extremely popular and talented drummer, who had a second, and third career, as an actor and booking agent, died unexpectedly at his home, March, 21, 2010. He was just 57.
Johnson performed onstage or in the studio with just about every New Orleans artist one could possibly name, including Dave Bartholomew, Allen [...]
Obituary: Rockie Charles (1939-2010)
New Orleans’ “President of Soul,” Rockie Charles, whose given name was Alfred Charles Merrick, died after a long battle with cancer on March 12. He was 70. Charles was a guitarist and singer who cut a handful of well-crafted soul singles in the 1960s and 1970s. He recorded his first CD in 1997, the acclaimed [...]
Obituary: Alex Chilton (1950-2010)
Singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Alex Chilton died of a heart-related problem in New Orleans on March 17, 2010. Chilton’s work with the Box Tops, Big Star and as a solo artist inspired a considerable and loyal following in the indie and alternative music fields. His compositions have been performed by Wilco, Garbage, Son Volt, [...]
Obituary: Dale Hawkins (1936-2010)
2010 isn’t turning out to be a very good year for legendary Louisiana rock ’n’ rollers. Just last month we reported on the passing of Bobby Charles. Sadly, this month we must pass on the news of Dale Hawkins’ death on February 3. Hawkins died at a hospice facility in his adopted hometown of Little [...]
Obituary: Ned Theall (1937-2010)
Ned Theall, the noted saxophonist, arranger and bandleader of the Boogie Kings died in a Lafayette hospital January 8, 2010. He was 72. Theall had played with the group as recently as New Year’s Eve.
Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, and a long-time resident of New Iberia, Theall joined the group in the mid-1960s after a hitch [...]
Obituary: Bobby Charles (1938-2010)
Louisiana lost one of the brightest jewels on its musical crown with the passing of Robert Charles Guidry a.k.a. Bobby Charles on January 14, 2010. The reclusive Charles, 71, who had diabetes and had suffered a bout with cancer, died at home. While Charles was a moderately successful recording artist, he excelled as a songwriter. [...]
RIP Ernest “Skipper” Skipper, Jr., Funeral Services to be held Friday, December 18, 2009
Ernest “Skipper” Skipper, Jr., Grand Marshal of the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and singer/bandleader of Ernest Skipper and the Thunder Blues Band passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. He was 61 years old.
Skipper was perhaps best known for a lone single he wrote and recorded for New Orleans-based Rosemont Records. The Mardi Gras song, [...]
