COCO ROBICHEAUX
It was a pleasure to get to know you. What a wonderful person, talented musician, what a character! I would love to see you walking on New Orleans streets saying hi to everybody in your purple suit, cowboy hat and alligator boots. We are gonna miss you so much. One day, we were passing by Apple Barrel during the day and Coco Robicheaux was playing. My son Bento, three years old at the time, saw him and rushed inside, passing by the opened door. He stopped right in front of Coco, and Coco offered my son the microphone. Bento started to sing while Coco was playing his guitar, side by side. The moment was registered by all the flashes of the cameras from the customers of the Apple Barrel. I will never forget that moment. Love you Coco, forever!
—Bibiana Saari, Baton Rouge, LA
Our group met Coco Robicheaux this summer while sitting at the bar in the Apple Barrel. He was bigger than life. We were in New Orleans for the Fly Tackle Dealer Show, boy was it hot! Someone had recommended the fantastic restaurant upstairs [Adolfo’s] and we were just killing time, not realizing that the real New Orleans was downstairs. Funny how some things just work out!
I will always remember that pumpkin suit and black hat. We enjoyed talking and listening to him sing, not really knowing what a famous man he was. What a great memory of New Orleans.
—Lorraine Guelker, Milwaukie, OR
Coco sat with them all. No matter if you were a bum or a star, he sat on the bench in front of the Apple Barrel enjoying people without judgment.
I remember when he came to my first gig at the Barrel in October 2004 and sat at the second-to-last stool at the end of the bar, next to the bathroom, drinking his tequila from a glass as he always did. This was his spot.
Coco was never disingenuous and always a living, loving engagement with everyone who crossed paths with him. I will miss him, but while I miss him I will always have a smile knowing his lovely spirit is walking in heaven with God.
—Lani Ramos, New Orleans, LA
Back in my early years, I was blessed to be able to spend a great deal of time with this wonderful spirit. He had a huge effect on everyone around him. Rest in Peace, my brother.
—John M Hazlett, Corpus Christi, TX
COSIMO MATASSA
Cosimo Matassa is the best example I know of how to be a nice person and still be in the crazy music business! Did you know that he designed lots of logos, including the SeaSaint logo? He gave me permission to use his mimeographed studio newsletter title, “Sound Of New Orleans,” for my record label somewhere around 1968. I hope that he is aware of his recent recognition, but he has been known to the music industry for many, many years.
—Gary Edwards, New Orleans, L
GEORGE PORTER, JR.
Any opportunity to get even near an early Meters greezy sound is a banner day. I was privileged to hear “The Neville Sound” around 50 years ago at the Ivanhoe; the bare bones slink and scratch is in my DNA. George is a king. Never a weak show! Congrats!
—Prof. Roy C. Eure, Baton Rouge, LA
MESS OF BOUDIN
Over in Australia, I made up a mess of boudin on the weekend and followed [Donald] Link’s recipe to the numbers. Because we still have butchers over here, I went to my main guy and they took my cooked and cooled 20 pounds of boudin, stuffed them for me with natural casings and hung them for a couple of days in their locker. The end result turned out super fine. I’m trying to convert Coffs Harbour Aussies into honorary coonasses.
—Phil Tripp, Coffs Harbour, Australia
SATANISM
Having recently returned to New Orleans, I happened to pick up the latest copy of OffBeat in which the cover confirms the magazine’s commitment to the satanic agenda which has devoured our country.
—Tony Green, New Orleans, LA
