Art Neville dies, aged 81.

[long green]

Of all the recent notable deaths in New Orleans, this one hurts the most. Art was a deceptively simple, plain man with a giant legacy in New Orleans music. While just a teenager, possibly still at Clark HS, he supplied the vocals for “Mardi Gras Mambo.” Of course he helped found The Meters and played for years with The Neville Brothers.

My favorite story involving Art came about in 2005. That year the original lineup of The Meters reunited at Jazz Fest with drummer Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste coming back. I’d seen The Meters any number of times prior to that set, usually with the excellent Russell Batiste on drums. Were they good like that? Sure. But with Zig back - he did more singing than you’d think a drummer would and played a shiny and tiny green kit that could have come out of a Sears catalog - well, I got it. I got what people said for years about The Meters and what they meant. It is still the best thing I’ve ever seen at Jazz Fest. It was so good it was almost worth the city getting destroyed four months later (almost). And it’s something you can never ever see again if you see every Fest forever, no matter how many huge stars they bring in. He had been sick for years, so at least that’s over. Bless his memory.

[TUPF]

The Meters (circa 1974) were my introduction to New Orleans music and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Just over a year before I might as well have been living on the moon, music-wise, as an expat living in Italy. That music that you described, long, was 18 YO me loving life.

[GreenieBacker]

the Meters played at so many Tulane functions back in my day that they were like our House Band. Just a great unique very New Orleans sound.

[sr]

All through HS and all through Tulane - RIP Mr. Neville.



Through the years -

https://twitter.com/NOLAnews/status/115 ... 57248?s=20

[long green]

And, Oh My God, HOW could I forget he sang the BUDDY, BUDDY, BUDDY song? Sure we sucked, but that was a great campaign.

[GreenieBacker]

God, how could anybody ever get that tune out of their head once they heard it!

longer lasting in our hearts and minds than anything Teevens ever did here..............................

[Roller]

Art & Aaron played at the first-ever rock concert I attended, at Municipal Auditorium in 1964. In those days, there were always a bunch of acts; the headliner on the bill was Bobby Goldsboro. Irma Thomas, Clarence Henry, Ernie K-doe, and Deacon John & the Ivories were also on the docket, iirc.

[sr]

Art & Aaron played at the first-ever rock concert I attended, at Municipal Auditorium in 1964. In those days, there were always a bunch of acts; the headliner on the bill was Bobby Goldsboro. Irma Thomas, Clarence Henry, Ernie K-doe, and Deacon John & the Ivories were also on the docket, iirc.

'Rock' concert ??

[Johnny Mac]

it's been a tough year for New Orleans music legends

[AO Sig]

My senior week at Tulane started with a crawfish boil on the UC Quad; beer and the Neville brothers on a warm Sunday afternoon. All of the great music is indelibly etched in my soul.

His daughter, Arthel, is a fixture on Fox News; I was amazed when I happened upon her interviewing someone from Louisiana who expressed surprise when she said she was from New Orleans and understoond the interviewee's perspective.

This has been a tough year for the New Orleans music scene, no doubt. RIP

[Roller]

Art & Aaron played at the first-ever rock concert I attended, at Municipal Auditorium in 1964. In those days, there were always a bunch of acts; the headliner on the bill was Bobby Goldsboro. Irma Thomas, Clarence Henry, Ernie K-doe, and Deacon John & the Ivories were also on the docket, iirc.

'Rock' concert ??

Everybody's talking 'bout the new sound, Honey, but it's still Rock 'n' Roll to me.

[Fan Since '54]

I am more than a little late to this eulogy, but IMHO, All These Things, sung by Art Neville, was the best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jr03ca ... KM&index=1

Fan since '54

[Cheerleader]

All These Things was first recorded by my high school buddy, Joe Stampley and the Uniques. It was a hit for Joe, but Art made it famous.

[Ray]

RIP