New Orleans Music LEGEND has died
Written by 107PowerFM.Net on 07/22/2019
Art ‘Poppa Funk’ Neville
Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com.
The founding member of The Meters and Neville Brothers passed away on Monday at the age of 81.
Art “Poppa Funk” Neville shaped the sound of New Orleans music for a half-century. The keyboardist and singer co-founded the Meters and the Neville Brothers, two of the most important bands to come from the city, and was the voice of the enduring Carnival season anthem “Mardi Gras Mambo.”
In the latest blow to a New Orleans music community that had already lost Dr. John and Dave Bartholomew this summer, Neville died Monday after years of declining health. He was 81.
“It was peaceful,” said Kent Sorrell, Neville’s longtime manager. “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.”
