Art Neville (The Meters, The Neville Brothers), rest in peace
Art Neville, the New Orleans music legend who founded both The Neville Brothers and The Meters, has died at age 81. He had been in declining health for some time. “It was peaceful,” Kent Sorrell, Neville’s longtime manager, told Nola.com. “He passed away at home with his adoring wife Lorraine by his side. He toured the world how many times, but he always came home to Valence Street.”
Born in 1937, Art Neville was recording music by the early-’50s and rechristened his group Art Neville & the Neville Sounds as The Meters in 1968, after years of the group backing the likes of Allen Toussaint and Dr. John (who died in June). When that group began to splinter in the ’70s, he formed The Neville Brothers with his siblings Charles, Aaron and Cyril, and they stayed together until 2012 when they officially disbanded (though there was a farewell show in 2015). Charles Neville died in 2018.
Rest in peace, Art, your musical legacy lives on. Listen to some of his music with The Meters and The Neville Brothers, and read a few tributes, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTNYE6W2fTw
Another New Orleans Cultural Icon has passed away: Art Neville. The founder of The Meters and The Neville Brothers. The Godfather of the New Orleans funk sound!RIP Art Neville #PoppaFunk
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 22, 2019
And now the parade of huge losses in NOLA music continues–RIP the heart and soul of 2 great bands, Art Neville. Some parade–no throws.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) July 22, 2019
I don’t usually post when someone passes away, but the passing of Art Neville is hitting me harder than usual. He was such a kind-hearted man. The pinnacle of my entire career was sharing the stage with him. Losing him is losing an icon and I’m devastated. #RIPArt pic.twitter.com/6MkCb0oEYp
— Marc Broussard (@MarcBroussard) July 22, 2019
This has been a devastating year for New Orleans music—we've lost Dr. John, Dave Bartholomew and now Art Neville. A whole generation is passing away, and along with it a tradition that can't be replaced. pic.twitter.com/022DuCNsVG
— Ted Gioia (@tedgioia) July 22, 2019
Jam Session today at 6 in memory of Art Neville. All musicians welcome! Sending love to his family. RIP
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basinstrecords @offbeatmagazine @wwoz_neworleans @gregroques https://t.co/NOuxKRW3G8— Kermit Ruffins (@KermitRuffins) July 22, 2019
RIP: Art Neville at 81 years old.
I had the pleasure of producing this CD of his work for Specialty Records. pic.twitter.com/onQU65cZu9— Billy Vera (@billybeater) July 22, 2019
