Dr. John, one of music’s true originals, and a six-time Grammy Award-winning pianist, vocalist and composer from New Orleans, died June 6, 2019 of a heart attack. He was 77. A statement on his Facebook page broke the news:
“Towards the break of day on June 6, 2019, iconic music legend Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr., professionally known as Dr. John, passed away of a heart attack. As a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee, six time Grammy winner, songwriter, composer, producer, and performer, he created a unique blend of music which carried his home town, New Orleans, at its’ heart, as it was always in his heart. The family thanks all whom have shared his unique musical journey, and requests privacy at this time. Memorial arrangements will be announced in due course.”
Tributes came from all over. Jazz Fest, which celebrated its 50th festival in 2019, wrote: “We love you and will celebrate all that you gave us.”
Rest in Peace Dr. John. You were such a huge part of New Orleans music and the history of Jazz Fest. We love you and will celebrate all that you gave us.
Dr. John & the Nite Trippers performing at the 2016 Jazz Fest
📷 Douglas Mason pic.twitter.com/5zLOegASFT— New Orleans JazzFest (@jazzfest) June 6, 2019
Fellow New Orleans musician Aaron Neville shared a heartfelt tribute on his Facebook page. Here’s a portion of it: “My belief is that when people die and go to heaven that what ever was broken, or hurting them is made all better, no more pain.”
Eric Clapton wrote: “OMG, this is unbelievably bad news, he was such a great musician and singer, and most of all a true friend. I am devastated, I thought he would live forever… ec”
In a lengthy tribute on her Facebook page, Rickie Lee Jones wrote, in part: “Good bye Mac. You go now. I’ll holla at you later.”
“Dr. John’s music and legacy will forever be imprinted on my soul.”-John Fogerty pic.twitter.com/puu6UDTNMM
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) June 7, 2019
Dr. John (originally known as Dr. John the Night Tripper) was a singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who combined blues, pop, jazz as well as zydeco, boogie-woogie and rock ‘n’ roll with his particular Louisiana panache. He was the foremost musical ambassador for New Orleans music whose raw yet pliant vocals powered such classics as “Right Place, Wrong Time,” (a #9 single in 1973) “Such A Night,” “Somebody Changed The Lock” and “St. James Infirmary,” among others.
The passing of Dr. John, what a huge, sad loss. Such a force in American music, a magician mixing southern styles teeming with grit and soul. Master musician, pianist, gigantic character…RIP Mac, you will be so missed.
— Tom Jones (@RealSirTomJones) June 7, 2019
Will really miss you Dr John, I remember all our night tripping ! pic.twitter.com/yNPPDa48g0
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) June 7, 2019
Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, was born November 20, 1941, in New Orleans.
In 1989, he was a charter member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.
God bless Dr. John peace and love to all his family I love the doctor peace and love 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶🎵☯️☮️ pic.twitter.com/ljFWmMp9V9
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 6, 2019
Mac “Dr John” Rebennack, a true friend and fellow musical traveler died today. The Allman Brothers Band family express their sincere sadness in his passing. Mac played many times with the Brothers. Walk on Gilded Splinters our Old Friend, we will all meet up at The Right Place. pic.twitter.com/1EXDzQydlr
— Allman Brothers Band (@allmanbrothers) June 7, 2019
We lost one of the greats today. Rest In Peace Dr. John (Malcolm John Rebennack) pic.twitter.com/sWg5RW3Smh
— Thorogood&Destroyers (@thorogoodmusic) June 7, 2019
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Watch Dr. John perform “Iko Iko” at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1995
Dr. John, Jerry Wexler and me, probably around 1972… pic.twitter.com/yfj4hoYX6G
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) June 8, 2019
Related: Our Album Rewind of 1972’s Dr. John’s Gumbo
Watch Dr. John perform “Such a Night” at The Last Waltz concert in 1976
Related: Musicians who died in 2019
1 Comment
“My head is in a bad place –
But I’m having such a good time –
I been running trying to get hung up in my mind-
Really got to give myself a good talking to this time.
Just need a little brain salad surgery
Got to que my insecurity”
They just don’t to write ’em like that as anymore.
Had the chance to see the good Doctor in 2016, and passed on the tickets, thinking “Oh, I’ll see him the next time around” – Life Lesson – There was no next time around.
Do what you think you should do – gut feelings are good compasses.
Very nice to see the Night Tripper remembered –
Thank you BCB.
R.I.P Mac – Thank for all the great tunes that live on, and will forever seal your legacy.