Photo by Noé Cugny

Musicians React to Allen Toussaint’s Death

by: Leave a comment

The city of New Orleans is mourning one of its most prolific sons in pianist, producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint, who passed away in Madrid yesterday at age 77.

In a testament to the reach of Toussaint’s influence, a variety of artists from New Orleans and beyond have honored the legend via social media. In addition to George Porter Jr.’s poignant Facebook post, other tributes to Toussaint have come from Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Aaron Neville, Paul Simon and many more.

I would like to say a few words about my friend, the great Allen Toussaint. I want to first thank him for believing in…

Posted by Aaron Neville on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Paul on Allen Toussaint

Posted by Paul McCartney on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Lets Rename Les Circle after Allen Toussiant. A perfect place to honor him .Councilman Jason Williams ,Jan Ramsey Keith…

Posted by Glen David Andrews on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

RIP Allen Toussaint

Posted by The Rolling Stones on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

#BAM:===>https://youtu.be/I1BC5q4EFDg

Posted by Nicholas Payton on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Thank you for your faith in me! I will never forget all the love and time you gave helping me to find my voice.. You will be missed. R.I.P. Great Teacher.

Posted by Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Allen Toussaint was my dear friend. The most gifted, gracious and generous man that you could ever want to meet. — Paul Simon

Posted by Paul Simon on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

A photo posted by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on

Man this hit home. Of all the cats that I never had a 1 on 1 convo w/ to pick their brain about their music experiences: this is numero uno. I don’t want y’all thinkin’ “this is just some old legend that passed away” naw. This dude wrote some of your favorite music & you just didn’t know it. He effected SO many genres. That’s how you know how potent and effective your art is: when you quietly change the scene w/o proper acknowledgement. If someone had the right to have KWest brag swag it was this man. But his humble quiet disposition wouldn’t allow such a thing. His work will now speak for itself. Just take time to peep his work w #LeeDorsey (#GetOutMyLifeWoman #RideYourPony) some of the greatest clever pop tunes crafted. Hip hop heads still salivate over all #TheMeters tunes he produced & shot new energy into the culture once sampling #JamesBrown was becoming stale (#CissyStrut #LookKaPyPy #JustKissedMyBaby #OhCalcutta) then came a slew of artists in the 70s & 80s that took his work & breathed new life into his songs: #YesWeCanCan #LadyMarmalade #WorkingInACoalmine) —name em! His work was so powerful everyone from #PaulMccartney to #DrJohn to #EricClapton to #TheRollingStones to even #JayZ (“….dear god I wonder can you save me?”….that piano loop? #Toussaint all day) #Amerie’s most banging joint? (A Toussaint production sample) at least 12 “Get Out My Life Woman” snares were like starch in hip hop’s daily nutritional chart–meaning so there you barely notice it.—I can go on and on. Because his work goes on and on. You’ll read better op-eds by professional journalists. Kinda hard to cram all of this hiding from trainer in the gym on iPhone. But i felt the need to write something. When I tag #LegacyGoals I mean it. Humble cat whose work spoke louder than he did. That’s what we all need to learn from. Rest In Beats to the powerful #AllenToussaint

A photo posted by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on

Saddened today after hearing about the passing of Allen Toussaint…Words can’t begin to describe what you have meant to… Posted by Dumpstaphunk on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

 

 

My Big Brother From Another Mother Allen Toussaint means more to me than mere words could ever express! His Spirit lives on in me! ~ Cyril Neville Posted by The Royal Southern Brotherhood on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

 

I’m so deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend, Allen Toussaint. He was one of the most gentle, loving,… Posted by Bonnie Raitt on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

 

Dr. John is heartbroken at the loss of his very dear friend Allen Toussaint. (Photos with Allen at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival & YLC Wednesdays at the Square courtesy of Dr. John.) Posted by Dr. John on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

 

 

Today is the day the music died. RIP Allen Toussaint Posted by Marc Stone on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Saddened this morning after hearing about the passing of Allen Toussaint … Words can’t begin to describe what you… Posted by Ivan Neville on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Music lovers around the world today are mourning the passing of the legendary Allen Toussaint. One of the architects of…

Posted by John Oates on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

END OF AN ERA I drove my wife to work early today. WTIX played two songs in a row by Allen Toussaint and I thought “Oh,… Posted by Papa Mali on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Jerry Garcia, who famously covered Toussaint’s “Get Out of My Life Woman,” may have died over 20 years ago, but his estate’s Instagram page still took the time to honor one of the Grateful Dead frontman’s influences.