New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, who had first worked as a songwriter and producer before gaining his own fame as a performer, has passed away on Tuesday, November 10 after his last performance in Spain. He was 77.
The veteran musician, who was the producer of the hit singles 'Working in the Coal Mine' and 'Lady Marmalade' has reportedly died after suffering from a heart attack, as confirmed by the Madrid emergency spokesman Javier Ayuso.
Reports say that the rescuers were called to the location of Toussaint's hotel situated in Madrid on early Tuesday. Though they were able to revive him while on their way to the hospital, the singer has already stopped breathing and unfortunately did not recover.
His death was confirmed by his family via an emailed statement, thanking all the fans and friends for their condolences and support amidst the painful time.
"He was a legend in the music world," Quint Davis, Toussaint's friend and the producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, said in a brief statement.
During the early years of his career, Toussaint was most known as an R&B songwriter and producer. In fact, he had previously worked for the New Orleans based Minit Records back in 1960 before he entered the Army for two years.
Among the artists that he once worked with were Art and Aaron Neville, Joe Cocker, Ernie K-Doe and Irma Thomas. Thomas, who was also a close friend to Toussaint, has recalled the deceased musician, who produced her hits 'It's Raining' and 'I Did My Part' as somebody who could write great stories set to music.
According to Thomas, back in the '50s and '60s, they used to rehearse at Toussaint's mom's house, adding "I don't know how his mom put up with all of us in there all the time. But that's where we learned our songs. That was the place to be, his mom's living room."
Allen Toussaint, who was supposed to perform in Belgium this week, is survived by his two children.
