Phillip Alleman (died 03/05/2005; Eunice, LA; age 65)
Steel guitarist, vocalist and drummer noted for his work with
Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys; Alleman also performed with Blackie Forestier, LeRoy Broussard, and Donald Thibodeaux. See Phillip Alleman Myspace page.
Rosalee Baker (died 11/10/2005; Plano, TX; age 82)
Freelance publicist with Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro and UNO Sandbar Jazz Studies Series was an unflagging supporter and promoter of local jazz and jazz musicians.
Chad Byrd (died 08/03/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 25)
Chad was lead vocalist with local bands Groove Cartel and Skonk.
Russell Bobrowski (died 02/18/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 88)
Concert violinist and instructor worked with the New Orleans Symphony, New Orleans Opera House Association orchestra and the New Orleans Summer Pops orchestra. He was featured with the New Orleans Strings on Charles Brown's '94 release "Just A Lucky So And So." Read more.
Darren "D. Anthony" Branch (died 02/10/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 23)
Inspiring young rapper lost his battle with lymphoma. Branch drew upon his illness to compose and produce his album, "ChemoTherapy."
William "Bill" Brignac (died 07/16/2005; Raceland, LA; age 38)
Fiddle player and vocalist with the Lafourche Cajun Band.
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (died 09/10/2005; Orange, TX; age 81)
Legendary musician lost his battle with lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema shortly after evacuating his Slidell, LA home due to Hurricane Katrina. Gate won multiple W.C. Handy Awards, picked up a Grammy for his 1981 release, "Alright Again!" and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1999. For more on Gate, see AMG bio
, Alligator Records, obits from New York
Times & The Independent, and various news articles from The Beaumont Enterprise.
Barry Cowsill (died 2005; New Orleans, LA; age 51)
- Victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and flooding
Singer, songwriter and member of 1960's pop group The Cowsills went missing shortly after Hurricane Katrina. His body was recovered in New Orleans on December 28, 2005. See Cowsill.com; obit from The Independent (UK); AMG bio.
Cristobal Cruzado (died 06/17/2005; Kenner, LA; age 67)
Columbian-born percussionist resided in New Orleans for 40 years, working with Chris Owens' band, Ruben Gonzalez, Freddy Omar, Otra, and others.
Carlton "Nonc Loy" Frank (died 02/06/2005; Jennings, LA; age 74)
Noted Creole fiddler and songwriter played the old-time French two-steps and waltzes that laid the foundation for modern Zydeco. He was featured on recordings by his nephew Preston Frank and great nephew Keith Frank. (photo)
Eddie Gabriel (died 2005; New Orleans, LA; age 95)
- Victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and flooding
"Mr. Eddie" entertained millions of Pat O'Brien's visitors, playing an aluminum tray with thimbled fingers in The Piano Bar. Gabriel invented the act in the 1940's, and performed six nights a week through August 27, 2005. He died in his 9th Ward home, a victim of Hurricane Katrina related flooding.
Shirley Goodman (died 07/05/2005; Los Angeles, CA.; age 69)
New Orleans singer was half of 1950's R&B hit-making duo Shirley & Lee
, known for their classics Let the Good Times Roll" & "Feel So Good". After the two split up, Shirley backed up several singers and groups, including a guest shot on the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" album. She entered the charts again in 1974 with the disco hit "Shame, Shame, Shame" (under the name Shirley & Company). See obits from The Times (UK) and The Independent (UK).
John Fred Gourrier (died 04/15/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 63)
Baton Rouge rocker (John Fred and His Playboy Band) first entered the charts in 1959 with "Shirley." Fred went on to superstardom in 1968 with the #1 hit, "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)", which dislodged The Beatles from the top spot. See John Fred profile; Robert Christgau review of "Judy in Disguise"; John Fred obit from The Independent (UK).
Eddie Hynes (died 07/20/2005; Gretna, LA; age 72)
Noted trombone player worked with The Esquires, Dr. John, and many others (photos).
Harry "Big Daddy" Hypolite (died 06/22/2005; Baton Rouge, LA; age 68)
Blues guitar great was a longtime sideman of Clifton Chenier, and joined C.J Chenier's band after Clifton's death in 1987. Hypolite released the critically acclaimed solo album "Louisiana Country Boy" in 2001. See YouTube and Remembering Harry from The Independent.
Joe Jones (died 11/27/2005; Los Angeles, CA; age 79)
Musician, producer and music publisher had a Top 10 hit in 1960 with "You Talk Too Much." Jones was credited with discovering New Orleans R&B trio the Dixie Cups; Jones was later sued by the Dixie Cups over claims of ownership to the song "Iko Iko." See AMG bio; Joe Jones obit from The Independent (UK).
James Kebodeaux (died 09/28/2005; Longview, TX; age 51)
Long-time guitar player with Sunpie Barnes' band.
Merle Kilgore (died 02/06/2005; Mexico; age 70)
Award winning songwriter, singer, and longtime manager of Hank Williams Jr. Writing credits included "More and More" (a #1 hit for Webb Pierce), "Wolverton Mountain" (#1 hit for Claude King), and Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire." See AMG bio;
filmography; BMI.com obit; Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
John Loupe (died 02/09/2005; Houma, LA; age 47)
Des Allemands native was a noted electric and upright bassist.
Shelton Manuel (died 01/04/2005; Eunice, LA; age 83)
Cajun musician performed with J. B. Fuselier, Harry Choates, Chuck Guillory, Papa Cairo, Nathan Abshire, Lawrence Walker, Aldus Roger, Shirley Bergeron and many others. See bio & photos and a profile from Dirty Linen.
Thomas Matte (died 10/23/2005; Eunice, LA; age 98)
Noted Cajun accordionist was featured on Jambalaya Cajun Band's "Lessons Learned" CD. See profile & photos.
Jackie Neal (died 03/10/2005; Baton Rouge, LA; age 37)
R&B singer and member of Baton Rouge's esteemed Neal Family of blues musicians was shot and killed by an ex-boyfriend.
Brian O'Neill (died 12/15/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 50)
Buffalo, New York native was a respected trombonist, composer, arranger and vocalist. He performed with Bonerama, Wayne Cochran & The C.C. Riders, Luther Kent, Pete Fountain, Harry Connick Jr., the Dukes of Dixieland, and others.
Glenn Rambo (died 08/29/2005; Violet, LA; age 34)
- Victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and flooding
Vocalist with Nuclear Crucifixion, Soilent Green, and other local hardcore/metal bands. See NOLA Underground and a tribute page on myspace.
John Robichaux (died 2005; New Orleans, LA; age 90)
- Victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and flooding
Longtime drummer with the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra was the nephew of famed orchestra leader John Robichaux. He died in his home with his wife and son, all drowning victims of Hurricane Katrina related flooding.
Larry Sarrat (died 05/20/2005; Metairie, LA; age 54)
Guitar player was a founding member of the New Orleans rock bank Ivy.
Robert "Sed" Sedlak (died 03/03/2005; Baton Rouge, LA; age 59)
Respected sax man with The Boogie Kings and others.
Eddie Shuler (died 07/23/2005; Atlanta, GA; age 92)
Musician, producer and founder of Lake Charles, Louisiana based label Goldband Records. See tributes from OffBeat and The Independent Weekly.
Roy Stewart (died 04/20/2005; Baton Rouge, LA; age 61)
Drummer led his own band (Roy Stewart & The Herculoids) and worked with Tabby Thomas, Raful Neal, and many others.
Eugene Synegal (died 03/30/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 52)
Guitarist worked with many local bands over the years, including Sam & The Soul Machine, Lee Dorsey, the Neville Brothers, Ironing Board Sam, and Cyril Neville.
Herbert "Herb" Taylor (died 07/29/2005; Conroe, TX; age 65)
Noted New Orleans drummer and educator worked with Porgy Jones, Alvin "Red" Tyler, Germaine Bazzle, Joe Torregano (photo), John Brunious, and many others.
Rufus Thibodeaux (died 08/12/2005; Nashville, TN; age 71)
Legendary Cajun fiddler & session musician played with Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys, Jimmy C, Newman, the Everly Brothers, George Jones, Jim Reeves, Hank Williams Jr., Neil Young and many others; See AMG bio & Rufus Thibodeaux obit from The Independent.
Billy Tircuit (died 03/27/2005; New Orleans, LA)
Singer performed with several New Orleans vocal groups including the Monitors, the Moonbeams, and the Senors; early solo tracks can be found on the New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Party collection; a self-titled solo album was released on Southland in 1999; see photo.
Tommy Warren (nee Warren Hecard) (died 07/18/2005; Marrero, LA; age 61)
Singer/songwriter penned the "swamp country" classic "Offshore Blues."
Brenda Waters (died 03/17/2005; Houston, TX; age 61)
Stellar Award winning Gospel singer and songwriter was a native of Alexandria, LA. See All Music Guide bio
Aline White (died 06/07/2005; New Orleans, LA; age 91)
Gospel singer performed at several Jazz Fests, toured Europe, and recorded with the Magnolia Jazz Band.
Clary was the former business manager for NOLA swamp rock band The Radiators.