From the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Allen Toussaint, the legendary songwriter and pianist, has died
Allen Toussaint, the ever-elegant New Orleans performer, producer and composer of such R&B classics as "Working in the Coal Mine," "Mother-in-Law," "It's Raining" and "Southern Nights," died Tuesday (Nov. 10), while on tour in Madrid. He was 77 years old.
Fans have reason to be shocked by the news because tickets went on sale just days ago for a concert featuring Mr. Toussaint and fellow composer and performer Paul Simon at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre in New Orleans on Dec. 8. The event was to benefit the New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness charity organization, which Mr. Toussaint co-founded in 1985.
Considered by many to be the dean of the New Orleans music scene, having influenced the careers of countless musicians and performers, Mr. Toussaint gave his last performance on Monday at Madrid's Teatro Lara. Madrid emergency services spokesman Javier Ayuso said rescue workers were called to Mr. Toussaint's hotel early Tuesday morning and managed to revive him after he suffered a heart attack. But Ayuso said Mr. Toussaint stopped breathing during the ambulance ride to a hospital and efforts to revive him again were unsuccessful.
That is going to be a funeral to see...
