Ragtime singer-songwriter Leon Redbone has died at the age of 69.
Leon’s official website announced the news saying “He departed our world with his guitar, his trusty companion Rover and a simple tip of his hat. He’s interested to see what Blind Blake, Emmett and Jelly Roll have been up o 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.’”
Leon Redbone was born Dickran Golbalian in Cyprus in 1949. He migrated to Canada in the mid 60s and lived in Toronto. Leon played his unique blend of Ragtime in Toronto nightclubs and was discovered by Bob Dylan in 1972 at the Mariposa Folk Festival who mentioned him in an interview which led to his signing with Warner Brothers.
Leon became a regular for Saturday Night Live and Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.
Leon’s last album in 2016 ‘Long Way From Home, the Early Recordings’ was released through Jack White’s Third Man Records.
Leon was living at Bucks County, Pennsylvania at the time of his death.
Follow Noise11 on Twitter for news as it happens
For news as it happens follow Noise11 on Facebook
Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio
