Allen Toussaint, a New Orleans icon and stalwart of the city’s vibrant and legendary music scene, passed away Monday in Madrid. The 77-year-old had just finished a concert in the Spanish city, with the cause of death reportedly being a heart attack. Never one to slow down, Toussaint had been maintaining a busy schedule, touring in Europe, as well as the United States, with dates to perform in Belgium and England after his Spanish dates.
Since the news broke, social media has been flooded with musicians remembering Toussaint.
Paul on Allen Toussaint pic.twitter.com/MtmzRHFEAE
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 10, 2015
RIP Allen Toussaint. Sad day for New Orleans music. We were fortunate enough to per…. https://t.co/j7FtBKlySd pic.twitter.com/6VpPt413TJ
— Galactic (@GalacticFunk) November 10, 2015
One of my heroes. Rest in peace Allen Toussaint, <3 https://t.co/LFG1ZWXV1N
— Cyril Neville (@cyrilneville13) November 10, 2015
Allen Toussaint has died… rest in peace, good friend… #legend
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) November 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/MrGregDulli/status/664171148968488960
R.I.P. to the master #allentoussaint
eternally grateful. @allentoussaint https://t.co/pz4PUX454X— jim james (@jimjames) November 10, 2015
I’m so deeply saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend, @AllenToussaint. He was one of the most gentle… https://t.co/2PVUamirkT
— Bonnie Raitt (@TheBonnieRaitt) November 10, 2015
Remembering the great Allen Toussaint today.
Here’s Taj and Allen performing together on “Betty Ball’s Blues”… https://t.co/C7DFFZx7Se
— Taj Mahal (@tajmahalblues) November 10, 2015
We'll miss @AllenToussaint. His songs and his spirit will live on forever.
— Tedeschi Trucks Band (@DerekAndSusan) November 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/erickrasno/status/664108597773598722
Toussaint was also remembered by David Simon, creator of The Wire and Treme.
A few random memories of the great and good Allen Toussaint: https://t.co/CMo5RlptCV pic.twitter.com/RhYbQYldki
— David Simon (@AoDespair) November 10, 2015
As well as one of the stars of Treme, Wendell Pierce, who is from New Orleans:
We have lost one of the legends of New Orleans and giants of the music world; Allen Toussaint has died.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) November 10, 2015
As I land in LA this morning to the ss news of Mr. Toussaint's death, I remember how he would hear everything in the room with perfect pitch
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) November 10, 2015
As a habit,his fingers would replicate those sounds into melody as he sat at the piano,almost unconsciously.Allen Toussaint was brilliant
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) November 10, 2015
He was also remembered by two other New Orleans’ institutions: the Saints and New Orleans Jazz Fest.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Allen Toussaint, who showcased our beloved city's culture & passion pic.twitter.com/232a9moPjk
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 10, 2015
Today and forever we remember our dear friend, Mr. Allen Toussaint: the man, the artist, the genius. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/JWnktltXkA
— New Orleans JazzFest (@jazzfest) November 10, 2015
The last word goes to Questlove, though, who delivered a moving tribute to Toussaint on Instagram.
