Dr. John 1941-2019 [MERGED] (2 Viewers)

[Mr. Blue Sky]

...

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

dang
i knew it had to be coming
i realized the other day that i hadn't heard any recent performances or anything, and figured he must be ill
phenomenal talent
hopefully it was the right place at the right time

rip

 

[Bronson]

Legend

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

Very bummed to hear. Will mourn his passing but will also continue to celebrate his life and his influence on my musical interests.

Go funk things up on your way upstairs...

 

[Optimus Prime]

One of a kind

My two favorite Dr John songs

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

this is where my appreciation went from liking him as a NO legend to really digging him as a music maker

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

One of a kind

My two favorite Dr John songs

nice
jinx

 

[Stealth Matrix]

Wow.. RIP. NO legends dropping too quickly now

 

[GW93]

I liked that Dr. John was not only one of the more out-there NOLA musicians, but could also just as easily belt out the theme for a kids' cartoon show:

 

[The Moose]

Yeah sad to see him go.

It is truly amazing how long he lived with hard life he lived for so long. I know I sure would have dropped much earlier.

Have to say some of the best nights I ever had were sweating balls in tips hearing him play.

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Trying to remember the times i saw him perform.. the only time i can definitely recall is New Years Eve in (i think) 1994 at Tipitina’s, and of course Jazzfest.. but there had to be other times, i just can’t remember them- i guess that means i was doin’ it right. .. the last time i saw him in person he was walking down Decatur in the Quarter with a beer in hand, about 5 yrs ago.

... god the second line is gonna be epic.

 

[Zack Lee]

truly a Legend. Sorry to hear, RIP

 

[crosswatt]

Aw man.

 

[superchuck500]

RIP Night Tripper.

Thanks for the rocks and the rolls. A unique artist all the way.

 

[superchuck500]

My buddy Dave Jordan, New Orleans musician wrote this tonight about Mac Rebennack, Dr. John:

Many years ago, probably around 2003, I went down to Super Sunday at Washington and Lasalle. This was back when they wouldn’t announce Super Sunday in the newspapers and on tv, before it got commercialized, like basically all of New Orleans culture has since Katrina (that birch). I was with my buddy Scott Pashley (Shoeless?~not Scott). At one point as we second lined we wound up walking with Dr. John and we walked together for the rest of the parade. There were many incredible moments that day: when Big Chief Bo Dollis rode up on his scooter to greet Mac; Mac telling me all sorts of stories about music and growing up. Things like that went on for a few hours.

But as we walked, going deeper and deeper into poor, black neighborhoods, it was astounding to me how much people loved him, adored him. EVERYBODY knew who he was. From grandparents down to young kids, many of whom probably had very little interaction- along with a pretty healthy distrust- of white people. But everybody flocked to Mac. He wasn’t just an international legend. He was a local street, ghetto, projects legend. A man of the people. Way more comfortable there than in the upper echelons of society that often hired him. It was amazing. He crossed racial, cultural, economic, class- whatever background, whatever line, you can think of.

Icon. Legend. These words are used a lot these days. But there isn’t a word that describes what Dr. John was. Maybe he should make one up. Teach us one last time.

I got more stories, like when we took him to the roller derby in my van. But that’ll have to wait til another time.

To the good Doctor. Rest In Peace.