In Memoriam

We've lost some of our most beloved musicians and other friends who've shared and contributed richness to the musical tapestry of New Orleans and the world. Please join us in remembering their songs and their spirits. Use the "Comments" section below to add your own tributes to anyone we've missed.

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint

Remembering those we lost in 2018

Sun, 12/30/18

The New Orleans music and cultural communities lost a number of talented and influential individuals in 2018. Here, we remember those who passed away in the last year. Johnny Jackson, Jr., d. January 24 Arthur "Mr. Okra" Robinson, d. February 15 Johnny Vindigni, d. March 5 ... Read more

In Memoriam: Billy Delle

Thu, 11/15/18

Longtime WWOZ show host Billy Delle has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his cause of death as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He hosted Records From The Crypt on WWOZ, hours of "scratchy 45s," as he referred to them, of New Orleans R&B from the 1950s and 1... Read more

Henry Butler memorial second line to be held 10/21

Sun, 10/14/18

Authored by: Carrie Booher

New Orleans piano great Henry Butler passed away July 2, 2018, and a second line in his honor will be held on Sunday, October 21. Led by the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, the parade will start at 6p at the Funky Butt club site and end at Snug Harbor on Frenchmen, where a memor... Read more

In Memoriam: Leslie "Lazy Lester" Johnson

Thu, 08/23/18

Leslie Johnson, better known as Lazy Lester, passed away Wednesday, August 22 at the age of 85 after a battle with stomach cancer. He was a wonderfully gifted blues musician and performer who is widely known as a pioneer of the swamp-blues genre. Lazy Lester was born June... Read more

Aretha Franklin tributes on Soul Power, Gospel Show, and more

Sun, 08/19/18

Authored by: Carrie Booher

Since Aretha Franklin's passing on Thursday, many of our DJs have been sharing wonderful tributes to the Queen of Soul. Here's a few, available on our 2-week archive. Just click the show you're interested in and it will begin playing. DJ Soul Sister shares her favorite dee... Read more

In Memoriam: Henry Butler

Mon, 07/02/18

New Orleans piano genius Henry Butler has passed away at the age of 68. Blinded by glaucoma at birth, Butler began playing the piano at age six, and professionally arranged, composed, and performed since age 12. One of the premier torchbearers of the New Orleans jazz and ... Read more

In Memoriam: Tee Eva

Fri, 06/08/18

Tee Eva, formally known as Eva Louis Perry, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the age of 83. She was well known in the New Orleans community as a baker of delicious pralines and miniature pies, as a parading Baby Doll, and as a backup singer for Ernie K-Doe. Tee Eva ... Read more

In Memoriam: Charles Neville

Thu, 04/26/18

Saxophonist Charles Neville has passed away at the age of 79. He was born December 28, 1938 in New Orleans. Charles was an important player in New Orleans music for more than 60 years. Though he may be best known internationally for his work with the Neville Brothers, his s... Read more

In Memoriam: Big Chief Thomas "Tom" Sparks, Sr.

Fri, 03/16/18

Big Chief Thomas "Tom" Sparks, Sr., of the Yellow Jackets, the oldest known living male Mardi Gras Indian, died Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at home, surrounded by his family. Born in 1932, Tom reminisced about his earliest interactions with the Indians in a 2015 Offbeat Magazi... Read more

In Memoriam: Barbara Gillmor

Sat, 03/10/18

Barbara A. Gillmor passed away on March 3, 2018 at the age of 62. Barbara was a longtime New Orleans enthusiast who moved here in the 1960s. Upon arrival, she knew-- "NOLA Til Ya Die," as she often said. Barbara's flamboyant spirit and soul touched many. She was a dedicated... Read more

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In Memoriam

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint