Music

New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint dies at 77

by Jesse Locke

Allen Toussaint is a legend of New Orleans R&B best known for 1960s and ’70s hits like “Working In The Coal Mine”, “Southern Nights” and “Fortune Teller.” His songs have been covered or recorded by everyone from Otis Redding to Irma Thomas, The Rolling Stones, Alex Chilton, and (infamously) Devo.

The 77-year-old musician suffered a heart attack shortly after leaving the stage at Madrid’s Teatro Lara venue on Monday, November 9. He was found in his hotel and resuscitated, but sadly passed away following a second heart attack en route to hospital.

Toussaint was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. His list of past collaborators includes Paul McCartney, Patti Labelle, Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell, Boz Scaggs, and The Band. He was prominently featured on David Simon’s HBO TV series Treme about Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath on the New Orleans music community. Toussaint remained heavily active, and had been scheduled to play the upcoming London Jazz Festival.