In Memoriam

We've lost some of our most beloved musicians and other friends who've shared and contributed richness to the musical tapestry of New Orleans and the world. Please join us in remembering their songs and their spirits. Use the "Comments" section below to add your own tributes to anyone we've missed.

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint

In Memoriam: Charlie Sims

Sat, 03/04/17

Charles L. "Mr. Charlie" Sims, former chef-owner of Donna's Bar & Grill, passed away Sunday, February 5 at the age of 81. Mr. Sims was born April 13, 1935, in Rome, Georgia, and grew up in Chicago. He was in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, serving on the U.S.S. Skate, the first... Read more

In Memoriam: Daniel Fitzgerald

Sat, 01/14/17

Daniel ‘Dan’ Fitzgerald June 8, 1953-January 6, 2017 We are deeply saddened to share news of the passing of longtime WWOZ volunteer and show host, Daniel Fitzgerald, on Twelfth Night, January 6, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dan was the second of Bill and Mar... Read more

In Memoriam: Carol Solomon

Mon, 12/05/16

Carol Solomon, a highly successful businesswoman and longtime WWOZ ally, passed away over the weekend at age 72. As CEO of Peoples Health since 1997, Carol built the company into a regional health care powerhouse with more than 55,000 beneficiaries. Carol was a vocal champ... Read more

In Memoriam: Herb Hardesty

Mon, 12/05/16

Saxophone great Herb Hardesty passed away Saturday, December 3 at the age of 91. Hardesty performed with Fats Domino for more than five decades, a career spanning all of Fats' major hits starting with 'The Fat Man' in 1949. His famous solos can be heard on the classics 'I'm... Read more

In Memoriam: Clinton Scott

Thu, 11/17/16

We've lost another notable member of the WWOZ family this week. Clinton Scott passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016. He was a longtime WWOZ DJ, hosting the Sunday afternoon jazz show, Sittin' In With Clint, for many years. Clint was part of the first group of DJs that sta... Read more

In Memoriam: Edwin Harrison

Mon, 12/19/16

Edwin Harrison, Sr. passed away on October 13, 2016. He lived a remarkable life as a central figure in the Mardi Gras Indian and Social Aid & Pleasure Club communities and as a pioneering black taxicab driver. Harrison began masking in 1957 with the Creole Wild West and bec... Read more

In Memoriam: Joe Clay

Tue, 09/27/16

"Father of rockabilly" and Harvey native Joe Clay passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, September 26, 2016. Clay was born Claiborne Joseph Cheramie in 1939 but it was under his stage name that he rose to prominence with hits like 'Ducktail,' 'Sixteen Ch... Read more

In Memoriam: Buckwheat Zydeco

Sat, 09/24/16

Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr. passed away early on Saturday, September 24 at the age of 68. Dural rose to prominence as the leader of Buckwheat Zydeco, becoming synonymous with the band's name as he brought Louisiana zydeco music to an international audience. He performed t... Read more

In Memoriam: Sammy Ridgley

Fri, 09/02/16

Authored by: Carrie Booher

Samuel Ridgley passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the age of 78. Ridgley was born August 6, 1943; the youngest of 17 children (his brother Tommy, a well-known musician, was the oldest, born 18 years earlier) and raised in the Shrewsbury section of Jefferson Parish ... Read more

In Memoriam: Mercedes "Queen Mercy" Stevenson

Thu, 08/11/16

Mercedes "Miss Mercy" Stevenson passed away on August 10, 2016 at the age of 90. She was one of the first Big Queens of the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, founded by legendary vocalist George "Jolly" Landry. The early Wild Tchoupitoulas Queens wore headdresses, carr... Read more

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In Memoriam

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint