Longtime singer Leon Redbone died at the age of 69 on May 30, his family said.
His death was announced by his family in an announcement on his website, which bore a resemblance to his own songwriting style.
The statement added: “He departed our world with his guitar, his trusty companion Rover, and a simple tip of his hat. He’s interested to see what Blind Blake, Emmett, and Jelly Roll have been up to in his absence, and has plans for a rousing sing along number with Sári Barabás.”
“An eternity of pouring through texts in the Library of Ashurbanipal will be a welcome repose, perhaps followed by a shot or two of whiskey with Lee Morse, and some long overdue discussions with his favorite Uncle, Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites. To his fans, friends, and loving family who have already been missing him so in this realm he says, ‘Oh behave yourselves. Thank you…. and good evening everybody.’”
The magazine reported that he officially retired in 2015, saying that he had unspecified health issues that had “been a matter of concern for some time.”
He recorded 16 full-length albums between 1975 and 2016.
When he was interviewed by Rolling Stone before his debut album, he stated: “My father was Paganini and my mother was Jenny Lind. Wunnerful, wunnerful.” When he was asked about making obscure references, Redbone said, “I don’t do anything mysterious on purpose. I’m less than forthcoming, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m mysterious. It just means I’m not inclined to go there,” according to Variety.
No cause of death was listed on his website.
