On Thursday, December 26, New Orleans funk-rock pioneer Clark Vreeland (January 29, 1951 – December 26, 2013) passed away due to complications from cancer at a hospice facility near Atlanta, GA. He was 62. One of Vreeland’s most notable contributions to the New Orleans music scene was as a founding member of the pre-Radiators band, The Rhapsodizers. But his dynamic skill and profound songwriting capabilities would find him performing with the city’s musical legends in all nearly all genres from R&B and funk to rock, blues and punk, even zydeco.

New Orleans funk-rock pioneer Clark Vreeland dies at age 62.

Although he left New Orleans 30 years ago, Vreeland’s influence on a myriad of the city’s music is everywhere. The term “genius” is often used to describe him. Not unlike many music artists, he unfortunately suffered from years of alcohol and other drug abuses, but was nonetheless revered by peers and fans alike. After stints in Boston and Colorado, Vreeland settled in Altanta, where he spent his last days battling cancer. However, his passion for constant innovation and songwriting never dulled.

His last band, an incarnation of his signature “Room Service” band, dubbed Spanky and the Love Handles, was comprised of bassist and wife Beth Vreeland (b. Chaney) and drummer Bob Rice. The blues-heavy trio last played New Orleans at Sung Harbor in the summer of 2011. Louie Ludwig interviewed Vreeland about his steep New Orleans music portfolio, his creative intentions and his relationship with roommate/bandmate Ed Volker (of The Radiators) just before that show two years ago for OffBeat Magazine here.

While his musical desires lived within his self-proclaimed post-modernist punk rock leanings (the rising new form of his youth during the 1970s), Vreeland opened for the likes of Professor Longhair, James Booker and The Meters. He played guitar with and wrote songs for R&B icons such as Earl King and Jean Knight. In fact, The Rhapsodizers were more an R&B and funky roots-rock band than they were hard rock. Essentially raised on New Orleans rhythm and blues, he yearned to experiment with punk and new wave, but possessed the talent and soul akin to the city’s soul and funk voices. And that only scratches the surface of his complexity.

NOLA.com remembers Vreeland here, and posted an obituary last Friday here. As of today, detailed funeral arrangements or memorial services have not been made available.

Listen to some of Clark Vreeland’s music on his ReverbNation page here. His personal website is also here.

Clark Vreeland's (L) last band, Spanky and the Love Handles.