R.I.P. Allen Toussaint

**timmyfunk** · 11-10-2015, 12:06 PM

http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/...id=ansmsnent11

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 12:44 PM

I know, just saw it and couldn't believe it. Just last week I watched a documentary on Allen and hesitated in posting it here because I was not sure if there'd be interest. He was one of the great ones of the 20th Century. We've all have heard and enjoyed some of his work I am sure. Rest in Peace Mr. Toussaint and thank you.......!

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 12:47 PM

From the David Letterman Show circa 1987:

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 12:51 PM

He was an awesome talent! Some of his songs "Working in the Coal Mine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet [[Brickyard Blues)", "Southern Nights", "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky", "I'll Take a Melody", "Get Out of My Life, Woman" and "Mother-in-Law". He produced classics like "Lady Marmalade". He even had time to date Jean Terrell. This is a huge loss.

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 12:52 PM

Here he is performing one of his very well known songs "Southern Nights"

**copley** · 11-10-2015, 01:37 PM

Very sad news. RIP Allen.

**Guy** · 11-10-2015, 02:59 PM

Sylvester's live version of "Happiness" on his Living Proof CD is a fitting tribute to Mr. Toussaint.

**soulster** · 11-10-2015, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

Here he is performing one of his very well known songs "Southern Nights"

That was beautiful!

Count me in as a longtime fan, whether it's his songs, production, or his own work.

**midnightman** · 11-10-2015, 08:21 PM

Crazy how many songs he penned and produced. His legacy would outlive the human being. May he RIP...

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 09:10 PM

He was a favorite of David Letterman and Paul Schaffer. So popular with them that he moved to New York for a while after Katrina. A most "unsung" individual.

**jillfoster** · 11-10-2015, 11:17 PM

One of MY favorites of his:

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by jillfoster

One of MY favorites of his:

That is the one the put the Pointer Sisters on the map! He did the same thing for LaBelle with "Lady Marmalade". He was indeed awesome!

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 11:29 PM

A song we use to sing as kids in grade school, "Workin' In A Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey, produced by Allen Toussaint. I believe that is Allen singing the background:

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 11:36 PM

Here is the documentary on Allen that I had started to post last week:

**marv2** · 11-10-2015, 11:40 PM

Remember this one? Yep, Allen wrote this one too! "Java" by Al Hirt:

**Ndugu** · 11-12-2015, 12:06 PM

Wow. He was still going strong. We did an interview with him last year where he told the "Southern Nights" story:
http://www.songfacts.com/blog/playin...thern_nights_/

Here's the short version:
Van Dyke Parks visited me in the studio. He was a wonderful guy, a genius of a guy. He said, "Well, consider that you were going to die in two weeks. If you knew that, what would you think you would like to have done?" And after he said that, I wrote "Southern Nights" as soon as he left.