Legendary New Orleans composer, producer and performer Allen Toussaint has died in Spain while on tour. He was 77.
Toussaint penned such classics as Lady Marmalade and Working in a Coal Mine while many of his other songs became popular through cover versions including Ruler of My Heart, Ride Your Pony, Fortune Teller and Southern Nights.
A legend of New Orleans R&B, Toussaint worked with some of music's biggest stars - including Paul McCartney, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Joe Cocker, Glen Campbell.
Toussaint recently collaborated with Elvis Costello on the album The River in Reverse, which was recorded in his native city in what was the first major studio session after Hurricane Katrina.
During Katrina itself, Toussaint stayed in a hotel on Bourbon Street, but as New Orleans became overrun by floods, he was evacuated to Baton Rouge then New York City. Toussaint's studio and the main floor of his home were destroyed in six feet of water. A Steinway grand piano and other instruments, along with memorabilia and manuscripts were ruined or lost. Elvis Costello recalled these events in his recent memoir, Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink.
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Toussaint also received the National Medal of Arts from US President Barack Obama.
He is survived by his two children, son Clarence (better known as Reginald) and daughter Alison. His children had managed his career in recent years.
Here's Allen Toussaint performing Southern Nights:
