Photo: Getty
He left a footprint that will continue to impact the music world.
By Diana Noel — Written on Jun 04, 2019
Leon Redbone has left many disheartened by his passing as they reflect on his music and his unique sound. He fought his health battle for many years and has left a mark in the music career. Fans are searching for answers on what caused his death and as we look back on his life we appreciate the passion he has displayed when it came to sharing his music with the world. How did Leon Redbone die?
1. Losing A Classic Artist
Leon Redbone the singer, guitarist and jazz performer passed away at age 69. However, because of his old soul he has been called 127-years-old. He did in hospice care in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was born in Cyprus, but moved to Canada sometime in the 1960s. Leon was born on August 26, 1949 as Dickran Gobalian and reinvented himself when he moved to Canada. Leon's signature look was a Panama hat and big, dark sunglasses.
2. Health Battle
The challenge for Leon came when he began struggling with ill health. He could no longer juggle recording and touring commitments amd was forced to retire to concentrate on fighting for his life. Leon's death was announced on his website by his family. The cause of death is currently unknown or has not been shared with the public.
3. The Vehicle For Music
Rebone's music was definitely his own category, the distinctiveness of his voice is what all of his fans loved. “I’ve never considered myself the proper focus of attention. I’m just a vehicle…not so much for the particular kind of music I prefer, music from an earlier time, as for a mood that music conveys.” He humbly always took the attention away from himself and directed it towards his music. In his musical career he released 13 studio albums and five live albums. Bob Dylan first took an interest in him at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Ontario.
4. Statement Grips The Heart Of His Fans
The note that left everyone hanging by a thread was posted on his personal website by his family members, many are able to see his character and humor as they read the statement: “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 singalong 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.”
Diana Noel is a Junior at the University of Central Florida studying Journalism with a minor in Writing and Rhetoric. Besides writing articles for YourTango and Her Campus, she loves scrapbooking, spending countless hours at coffee shops, and playing random board games with her friends. She is dedicated to pursing a career in publishing/magazine writing, and would like to write her own books in the near future. She is a God loving introvert, bubbly and at times uncontrollably shy but she's not afraid to use her voice to speak up. Some may say she is a lion at heart who will roar when she is filled with passion.