Sad news that songwriter, producer & gentleman Allen Touissant, of New Orleans R&B royalty, has died, following a performance in Spain. Toussaint reportedly suffered a heart attack in Madrid.
His jaunty, piano-centric style, along with that of Professor Longhair, a musical father-figure to Toussaint, helped create & popularize a sub-genre of New Orleans music. A wealth of songs written, co-written and/or produced by Toussaint significantly influenced New Orleans artists like the Meters and have been covered by and influenced other popular artists ranging from Robert Palmer & Little Feat to the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton & Elvis Costello and NC favorites Joe Bell & the Stinging Blades. In person off-stage, Toussaint remained a humble and stately figure, making time late into his career to talk with fans who reveled in the pleasure his company.
The Glorious Music of Allen Toussaint
“A Certain Girl”
“Life is a Carnival” for Levon Helm