Obit: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949-2019)

Subject: Leon Redbone R.I. P.
From: Johnny J
Date: 30 May 19 - 04:04 PM

Just learned that Leon Redbone has passed away aged 69.
I always thought he was much older...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIhU41SZCRw

I saw him play live only once at Edinburgh Jazz Festival a few years ago. It was a rather strange gig with one particularly annoying heckler.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 30 May 19 - 05:14 PM

I read an article about Bob Dylan and Mr. Redbone in 1975 and bought his first LP "On The Track" the following year and quite a few since. Always interesting and a great performer of marvellous old songs.
A genuine man of mystery, I must agree with Johnny J, I thought Leon was much older. Apparently the age thing was art of his "mystique".
RIP Mr. Redbone.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 19 - 05:19 PM

Wikipedia entry.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 30 May 19 - 08:26 PM

Older UK Mudcatters may remember this -

British Railway Intercity - Relax (1988, UK)

RIP Leon Redbone

Ross

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: gillymor
Date: 30 May 19 - 08:33 PM

Like a lot of folks I became a fan when I first heard him do a dark version of "Shine on Harvest Moon" on SNL back in the 70's. At the time I was struggling to get that Blind Blake bounce in my playing and Redbone had it (and a whole bunch more). He was one of a kind.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Hagman
Date: 30 May 19 - 08:54 PM

Nice obit in Rolling Stone here.

Everyone appears confused about his age:

"A statement on Redbone’s website confirmed his death, though it did so with a sweet bit of humor and joking that he was actually 127 years old.

“He departed our world with his guitar, his trusty companion Rover and a simple tip of his hat,” his family said in a statement. “He’s interested to see what Blind Blake, Emmett and Jelly Roll have been up to in his absence, and has plans for a rousing singalong number with Sári Barabás. An eternity of pouring through texts in the Library of Ashurbanipal will be a welcome repose, perhaps followed by a shot or two of whiskey with Lee Morse, and some long overdue discussions with his favorite Uncle, Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites. To his fans, friends and loving family who have already been missing him so in this realm he says, ‘Oh behave yourselves. Thank you… and good evening everybody.'”"

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 May 19 - 09:14 PM

Do you remember the advert he did for british Rail?

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: meself
Date: 30 May 19 - 10:35 PM

He had been 69 for about 50 years, as I recall ... !

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: olddude
Date: 30 May 19 - 10:46 PM

Rip brother you were priceless and unique

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 May 19 - 03:54 AM

Never saw him live but I've got several of his CDs (of course you have, Roger!). Loved his work.
RIP
RtS

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 May 19 - 04:40 AM

Sad news indeed. I only know of him because my Cousin in the US recommended him to me. Listening to 'Strings and Jokes' from 1977 and, yes, he did sound 70 then!

Rest in peace Mr Redbone.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949 - 2019)
From: Elmore
Date: 31 May 19 - 11:02 AM

Sorry to hear of his passing. Glad I got to see him perform in NH a while ago.

Subject: RE: Obit: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949-2019)
From: michaelr
Date: 31 May 19 - 09:28 PM

Ross Campbell -- what does that Boris Johnson interview have to do with Leon Redbone?

Subject: RE: Obit: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949-2019)
From: Stewie
Date: 31 May 19 - 09:56 PM

Like RtS, I have many of his albums and they are all delightful. I recall that in the first edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide, Dave Marsh commented that his music had 'all the ambience of an old 78'. Vale Leon.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949-2019)
From: Stringsinger
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 11:46 AM

A great loss. Performer, musicologist and exemplar of the early jazz style.

Subject: RE: Obit: Leon Redbone R.I. P. (1949-2019)
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 02:08 PM

I saw him several times live, a true artist. At one concert, a guy kept yelling out a request for "I Wanna be seduced" (one of Leon's few charting hits), after about the tenth time this guy yelled out "I Wanna Be Seduced!!", Leon quips "I'm not the to help you with that"