Issue Articles — Obituaries
James C. “Jimmy” LaRocca (1939-2023)
New Orleans trumpet player and composer Jimmy LaRocca passed away on October 15, 2023.
Jimmy Buffett (1946-2023)
Singer songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, who launched his career in New Orleans, passed away at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island on Friday September 1, 2023. Buffett had been fighting Merkel Cell Skin Cancer for four years. A statement from Buffet’s website said: “Jimmy passed away peacefully … surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song ’till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
Paul Conrad “Biff” Rose, III (1937-2023)
Biff Rose, pianist and singer-songwriter passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday July 25, 2023.
Earl G. Perry, Jr. (1944-2023)
Photographer, attorney and good friend to OffBeat, Earl G. Perry, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Barry Martyn (1941-2023)
We learned that drummer and New Orleans resident Barry Martyn has passed way. Several months ago, Martyn fell down his stairs and lay there for nine hours overnight until the […]
Peter “Chuck” Badie (1925-2023)
Beyond being a master of the upright bass, Peter “Chuck” Badie was blessed with an astounding memory. He’d tell stories of the early days in his career and say things like, “It was a Tuesday night in 1952” and then name every musician on the bandstand. Peter “Chuck” Badie died on April 15, 2023, at the age of 97.
Edward “Kidd” Jordan (1935-2023)
Edward “Kidd” Jordan – “I’m Playing the Song of Life” An eclectic array of wonderful music, sincere tributes and some humorous remembrances filled Gallier Hall at a Celebration of Life […]
Huey “Piano” Smith (1934-2023)
Huey “Piano” Smith, a 1950s rock and roll star from New Orleans, has died.
