This week, we learned that Allen Toussaint died after performing at a concert Monday in Madrid. He was 77 years old. Toussaint had toured extensively since Hurricane Katrina, but he was, in many ways, a reluctant performer. He preferred his life behind the scenes in the studio — writing, producing, and arranging songs. A disciple of Professor Longhair, Toussaint seemed to understand what New Orleans music could do for the world.
His collaborations helped launch the careers of a pantheon of New Orleans artists — Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Bennie Spellman, The Meters and Mac Rebbenack as “Dr. John — the Night Tripper.” But he also collaborated with Paul McCartney, The Band, Patti Labelle, Elvis Costello and Paul Simon, with whom he was scheduled to perform next month here in New Orleans.
Allen Toussaint was a great friend to Music Inside Out. He was one of our first guests. I cold called him one morning in 2012 and asked if he would agree to an interview. He immediately said, “When would you like to talk?” And within 48 hours we were sitting at his grand piano and listening to him play the most gorgeous songs. Later he told me, “I believe you can never go wrong helping someone.”
— Gwen Thompkins
