New Orleans native, guitarist, singer-songwriter and private investigator Gary Bruce Hirstius died at his home in Metairie on Friday, May 25, 2012. Known as the “rock and roll detective,” Gary leaves behind his parents Bruce and JoAnn DiMarco Hirstius; sisters Lauren Hirstius and Leslie Hirstius Dunn (Joseph); daughter Brandi Augustine (Jacob); grandsons Corey and Seth Augustine; nephew/godchild Hayden Dunn and niece Amelia Dunn. He was welcomed by maternal grandparents Lawrence and Mary Capritto DiMarco and paternal grandparents William and Genevieve Ragan Hirstius.
Gary was well-known for his soulful lyrics and sandpaper vocals. He left behind an expansive musical catalogue in which his spirit and legacy lives on. Hirstius began as a guitarist/vocalist with his garage band Mongrel and continued his musical career with Lil Brooklyn, the Topcats, Continental Drifters, the Jr. Mays Band, Levon Helm, Gary Hirstius and Day 7. Gary last performed at the Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street and with Creole Soul and worked on a variety of projects.
