He dropped out of high school to pursue his songwriting career. It was when he returned home from the Army that Toussaint penned Dorsey’s hits, along with the instrumental “Whipped Cream” which, after it had been recorded by Herb Alpert, became the theme song for the television show The Dating Game.
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“I was so glad when the Stones recorded my song”, Toussaint once said in an interview, as reported by the Telegraph.
“Working in the Coal Mine”, Lee Dorsey (1966): Devo’s cover might be better known now, but it was Dorsey’s original that defined one of Toussaint’s masterpieces. We knew what we were going to do before we got to the studio. He’s a perfectionist. And he kept a fresh sound that was appropriate to every performer. Toussaint also produced classics albums for the funk band the Meters, Etta James, Dr. John, Joe Cocker and others.
The truth was, if it hadn’t been for him I wouldn’t have been in New Orleans.
Dr. John is heartbroken at the loss of his very dear friend Allen Toussaint. His arrangements propelled a beat. He was a consummate songwriter, singer and pianist, and made a few excellent records under his own name.
After relocating to NY City following Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint experienced something of a revival through collaborations with Elvis Costello and a renewed interest in his hometown’s music. In 2013 he was awarded the NATIONAL HUMANITIES MEDAL by PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA at a ceremony in WASHINGTON, DC.
“Since then, Allen has devoted his musical talent to lifting up and building up a city”. Toussaint performed Sunday night at Madrid’s Lara Theater. She said he didn’t appear sick.
Survivors include a son, Clarence “Reginald” Toussaint, who often performed as a percussionist in his father’s band; a daughter, Alison Toussaint LeBeaux, who helped manage her father’s career; and several grandchildren. “I remember when he lived on Urquhart Street with his momma and that’s the first time I went over there, he was practicing his piano, he loved his piano”. So sudden it is hard to believe. “But now Allen is up there like I say, with Jumbo and Louis and probably trying to tame them all down because he was just the coolest cat in the world, he dressed cool, he spoke cool, and he played hot, gosh, what a talent, what a real talent”. I had no clue who he was at the time, but I knew he was a big deal. You inspired me in so many ways. “And he was right, because everyone came running to perform with him, to ask him for a song, to ask him to arrange for them, to ask him to produce their material”.
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He was nominated for more than 30 Grammy Awards over the span of his career but never won for his own performances. You are a true legend and have left a legacy like no other.
