R.I.P: Music Icon, Allen Toussaint Passes Away At 77
Sad news ILOSM family, the iconic musician/singer/producer/songwriter, Allen Toussaint, passed away Monday night (November 9, 2015) from a heart attack. He was 77 years young and he suffered two heart attacks shortly after he performed at a concert in Madrid. Here are the details from BBC News:
He suffered a heart attack shortly after coming off stage at Madrid’s Teatro Lara on Monday night, reported Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
He was found in his hotel and resuscitated – but suffered a second heart attack en route to hospital.
The mortuary at the Madrid’s Hospital Fundacion Jimenez Diaz confirmed his death to the BBC.
A legend of New Orleans R&B, Toussaint worked with some of music’s biggest stars – including Paul McCartney, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell and Elvis Costello.
He had been due to play the London Jazz Festival this weekend.
Allen Toussaint is best known for his songs, “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Mother-in-Law,” “Fortune Teller,” “Southern Nights,” “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” “Get Out of My Life, Woman” and many more, which have been widely covered by other artists throughout the years.
Below is video of Allen Toussaint’s last performance on November 9, 2015, just hours before he suddenly passed away. He looks perfectly okay in the video and this just reminds us that life is so precious and can be taken from any of us in an instant…
He is a native of New Orleans, La. and has been an iconic figure in the city for many decades. In 2005, Toussaint was uprooted from his hometown due to hurricane Katrina. He settled in New York and later returned to New Orleans, where he did a lot of fund raising to rebuild the city again.
In 2013 he received the America’s National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to an American artist. At that ceremony, President Obama spoke very highly of Toussaint and his contributions to his city:
“After his hometown was battered by Katrina and Allen was forced to evacuate, he did something even more important for his city – he went back,” said President Obama at the award ceremony.
“Since then, Allen has devoted his musical talent to lifting up and building up a city. And today, he’s taking the stage all over the world, with all kinds of incredible talent, doing everything he can to revive the legendary soul of the Big Easy.”
Toussaint is survived by his two children, including his son Clarence, known as Reginald, and his daughter, Alison, both of whom managed his career in recent years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Allen Toussaint’s family and loved ones at this time. May Mr. Toussaint rest peacefully after a job well done here on earth.
-ILoveOldSchoolMusic
