Tributes are being paid following the news that Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, a member of New Orleans music royalty who co-founded funk acts The Meters and The Neville Brothers, has died aged 81.
Neville’s death was announced by his family and management, following his announcement in November 2018 that he was formally retiring from music.
He began his career in 1954 when his band, The Hawketts, released the hit “Mardi Gras Mambo”. Returning from a four-year stint in the US Navy, Neville then co-founded The Meters with his brother, Aaron, in 1965.
The band went on to release upbeat tracks including “Hey Pocky A-way” and “Cissy Strut”, later receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame four times.
After The Meters disbanded in the late Seventies, Art and Aaron formed The Neville Brothers with their siblings Charles and Cyril.
They won a Grammy in 1990 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance on Yellow Moon’s “Healing Chant”, and released their final album, Walkin’ in the Shadow of Life, in 2004.
The Funky Meters was Neville’s last band and included some members of the original group. Neville toured with The Funky Meters until late last year, according to the statement.
A number of fans and fellow musicians have paid tribute:
News of Neville’s death comes shortly after two other New Orleans legends, Dr John and Dave Bartholomew, also passed away.
