Dexys Midnight Runners star (66) and jazz legend (98) passes away, leaving lasting musical legacy
- Replies 8
The music world has lost another of its stars, and for fans of the iconic '80s sound, it's a time to reflect and remember.
A founding member of the legendary band Dexys Midnight Runners has passed away at the age of 66 after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.
A sleek-haired alto saxophonist whose music also resonated with the soul of jazz passed away at 98.
His legacy is one of a musician who refused to let the vibrancy of a good lick or the humour of a good gag fade away.
Andy Leek's journey with Parkinson's disease was a long and challenging one, spanning nearly two decades.
His wife's tribute paints a picture of a man who faced his illness with the same courage and grace he brought to his music.
'My beautiful Andy left us on Sunday, 3rd November,' she wrote, sharing her grief with the world.
'Mercifully, he was held safe at Goscote Hospice, which is the most peaceful place I have known in my entire life.'
Deborah was by his side in those fragile last moments, witnessing the end of life with bravery and creativity.
Andy Leek was not just a musician; as his wife described him, he was a 'phenomenal person'. He was a man of contrasts—strong yet gentle, humorous yet vulnerable, a lover of freedom, and a fierce creative spirit.
His impact on those who knew him was profound, and his loss is deeply felt.
The story of Andy and Deborah is one of enduring love.
Together for 35 years, they had eschewed the convention of marriage, living as bohemian souls in a partnership that needed no official seal.
Yet, in a twist of fate, they decided to marry, planning a Christmas wedding that was not to be.
They wed on October 30th, only for Andy to pass away a mere four days later on November 3rd.
The bittersweet nature of this union—a joyous celebration followed so quickly by loss—poignantly reminds us of life's fragility.
Andy Leek's legacy is not just in the love he shared but also in the music he created.
As a founding member of Dexys Midnight Runners, he contributed to the band's unique sound, playing piano and helping to craft hits that would define a generation.
Though he left the band as their track 'Geno' topped the charts, his influence remained.
His solo career further showcased his talents as a poet, songwriter, musician, and world-class singer.
The loss of Andy Leek is a stark reminder of the toll that diseases like Parkinson's can take, not only on the individuals who suffer from them but also on their loved ones.
It's a call to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones and to support those fighting their own battles with illness.
Credit: YouTube
Meanwhile, Lou Donaldson, born in Badin, North Carolina, in 1926, was the second of four children in a family where music was a way of life.
His father, a minister, and his mother, a music teacher and pianist, instilled in him a deep appreciation for music.
Lou initially took up the clarinet and honed his skills in a marching band while studying at North Carolina A&T College.
His musical journey took a significant turn when he was drafted into the US Navy in 1945 and began playing the alto saxophone.
He joined a navy band that featured the celebrated swing altoist Willie Smith.
Donaldson's style was heavily influenced by the blues, a testament to his southern roots and an affinity for early blues music's raw, vocal sound.
This foundation would serve him well as he became one of Charlie Parker's most distinctive disciples, the legendary figure whose complex bebop syntax revolutionised jazz.
Donaldson's approach to the alto saxophone was intelligent and fierce, his phrasing as emphatic as a sermon, yet he also possessed a sophisticated understanding of harmonic complexities.
The late 1940s and early 1950s were a time of creative exploration for Donaldson. He made his recording debut with bop vibraphonist Milt Jackson.
He worked with influential musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet disciples Blue Mitchell and Clifford Brown, pianist Horace Silver, and drummers Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones.
These collaborations were instrumental in developing the 'hard bop' style, a reaction to the more cerebral 'cool school' jazz that dominated the 1950s.
Donaldson's tenure with the Blue Note label was particularly fruitful.
He produced classics like the 1958 album Blues Walk and the 1963 hit Good Gracious!
His music resonated with the soul-jazz movement of the 1960s, blending bebop with the emphatic cry of a preacher.
It laid the groundwork for the evolution of fusion and jazz-funk.
Perhaps his most famous work, the soul-jazz anthem 'Alligator Boogaloo,' was released in 1967 and featured the talents of organist Lonnie Liston Smith and a young George Benson on guitar.
Despite the changing musical landscape, with rock music pushing jazz into new territories, Donaldson remained true to his roots, creating music that was both accessible and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition.
As the 1970s progressed, Donaldson's formula began to show signs of age.
Still, the acid-jazz movement of the following decade revitalised his career, introducing his music to a new generation of listeners.
He continued to record and perform well into his later years, capturing the affection of young audiences with his seasoned performances and his 'classical singing.'
Donaldson's influence extended beyond his recordings.
Later, artists often sampled his music, and in 2012, he was honoured as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.
Even after retiring from live performances in 2017, he remained a fixture in the jazz community, attending tributes at Dizzy's Club in Manhattan until his 97th birthday.
Lou Donaldson's life was a testament to the enduring power of jazz and the blues.
He was married for 56 years to his wife, Maker, who passed away in 2006 and is survived by their daughters, Lydia and Carol.
Credit: YouTube
The music world has lost two legendary figures with the passing of Andy Leek and Lou Donaldson.
Both will be remembered not only for their immense talent but for the profound impact they had on the world of music.
May they rest in peace.
A founding member of the legendary band Dexys Midnight Runners has passed away at the age of 66 after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.
A sleek-haired alto saxophonist whose music also resonated with the soul of jazz passed away at 98.
His legacy is one of a musician who refused to let the vibrancy of a good lick or the humour of a good gag fade away.
Andy Leek's journey with Parkinson's disease was a long and challenging one, spanning nearly two decades.
His wife's tribute paints a picture of a man who faced his illness with the same courage and grace he brought to his music.
Andy Leek, founding member of Dexys Midnight Runners, has died at 66 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Credit: Facebook
'My beautiful Andy left us on Sunday, 3rd November,' she wrote, sharing her grief with the world.
'Mercifully, he was held safe at Goscote Hospice, which is the most peaceful place I have known in my entire life.'
Deborah was by his side in those fragile last moments, witnessing the end of life with bravery and creativity.
Andy Leek was not just a musician; as his wife described him, he was a 'phenomenal person'. He was a man of contrasts—strong yet gentle, humorous yet vulnerable, a lover of freedom, and a fierce creative spirit.
His impact on those who knew him was profound, and his loss is deeply felt.
The story of Andy and Deborah is one of enduring love.
Together for 35 years, they had eschewed the convention of marriage, living as bohemian souls in a partnership that needed no official seal.
Yet, in a twist of fate, they decided to marry, planning a Christmas wedding that was not to be.
They wed on October 30th, only for Andy to pass away a mere four days later on November 3rd.
The bittersweet nature of this union—a joyous celebration followed so quickly by loss—poignantly reminds us of life's fragility.
Andy Leek's legacy is not just in the love he shared but also in the music he created.
As a founding member of Dexys Midnight Runners, he contributed to the band's unique sound, playing piano and helping to craft hits that would define a generation.
Though he left the band as their track 'Geno' topped the charts, his influence remained.
His solo career further showcased his talents as a poet, songwriter, musician, and world-class singer.
The loss of Andy Leek is a stark reminder of the toll that diseases like Parkinson's can take, not only on the individuals who suffer from them but also on their loved ones.
It's a call to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones and to support those fighting their own battles with illness.
Credit: YouTube
Meanwhile, Lou Donaldson, born in Badin, North Carolina, in 1926, was the second of four children in a family where music was a way of life.
His father, a minister, and his mother, a music teacher and pianist, instilled in him a deep appreciation for music.
Lou Donaldson, an acclaimed alto saxophonist known for his soul-jazz style, has passed away at 98. Credit: Facebook
Lou initially took up the clarinet and honed his skills in a marching band while studying at North Carolina A&T College.
His musical journey took a significant turn when he was drafted into the US Navy in 1945 and began playing the alto saxophone.
He joined a navy band that featured the celebrated swing altoist Willie Smith.
Donaldson's style was heavily influenced by the blues, a testament to his southern roots and an affinity for early blues music's raw, vocal sound.
This foundation would serve him well as he became one of Charlie Parker's most distinctive disciples, the legendary figure whose complex bebop syntax revolutionised jazz.
Donaldson's approach to the alto saxophone was intelligent and fierce, his phrasing as emphatic as a sermon, yet he also possessed a sophisticated understanding of harmonic complexities.
The late 1940s and early 1950s were a time of creative exploration for Donaldson. He made his recording debut with bop vibraphonist Milt Jackson.
He worked with influential musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet disciples Blue Mitchell and Clifford Brown, pianist Horace Silver, and drummers Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones.
These collaborations were instrumental in developing the 'hard bop' style, a reaction to the more cerebral 'cool school' jazz that dominated the 1950s.
Donaldson's tenure with the Blue Note label was particularly fruitful.
He produced classics like the 1958 album Blues Walk and the 1963 hit Good Gracious!
His music resonated with the soul-jazz movement of the 1960s, blending bebop with the emphatic cry of a preacher.
It laid the groundwork for the evolution of fusion and jazz-funk.
Perhaps his most famous work, the soul-jazz anthem 'Alligator Boogaloo,' was released in 1967 and featured the talents of organist Lonnie Liston Smith and a young George Benson on guitar.
Despite the changing musical landscape, with rock music pushing jazz into new territories, Donaldson remained true to his roots, creating music that was both accessible and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition.
As the 1970s progressed, Donaldson's formula began to show signs of age.
Still, the acid-jazz movement of the following decade revitalised his career, introducing his music to a new generation of listeners.
He continued to record and perform well into his later years, capturing the affection of young audiences with his seasoned performances and his 'classical singing.'
Donaldson's influence extended beyond his recordings.
Later, artists often sampled his music, and in 2012, he was honoured as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.
Even after retiring from live performances in 2017, he remained a fixture in the jazz community, attending tributes at Dizzy's Club in Manhattan until his 97th birthday.
Lou Donaldson's life was a testament to the enduring power of jazz and the blues.
He was married for 56 years to his wife, Maker, who passed away in 2006 and is survived by their daughters, Lydia and Carol.
Credit: YouTube
Both will be remembered not only for their immense talent but for the profound impact they had on the world of music.
May they rest in peace.
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