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Pete Fountain, New Orleans' clarinet-playing musical ambassador, dies at 86
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune ^
| 8/6/16
| John Pope, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Posted on 08/06/2016 11:50:04 AM PDT by BBell
Pete Fountain, whose easygoing, apparently effortless style on the clarinet and his perpetually sunny disposition made him a natural ambassador for New Orleans, died Saturday in New Orleans. He was 86.
Other details were not available. Mr. Fountain, who was in hospice care, had been in poor health in recent years, suffering a stroke and undergoing heart surgery.
Unlike other musicians whose lives were marked by marital strife, substance abuse and run-ins with the law, Mr. Fountain lived a blissful existence with Beverly Fountain, his wife of 64 years, and a sizable number of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A regular on television, especially "The Lawrence Welk Show" in the 1950s and "The Tonight Show" when Johnny Carson was the host, Mr. Fountain had a club of his own on Bourbon Street and, later, in the New Orleans Hilton.
In addition to recording 50 albums and playing on 44 more, Mr. Fountain played "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" at the Mass that Pope John Paul II celebrated on the Lakefront in September 1987. After hearing Mr. Fountain, Al Hirt and Ronnie Kole perform, the pope was heard to say, "I have always heard about the beautiful music of New Orleans. Today I have been able to hear it and admire it personally."
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society
KEYWORDS: clarinet; neworleans; petefountain
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This guy is a legend down here.
Pete Fountain People Health Economy Hall at the New Orleans Jazz Fest Sunday, May 5, 2013. (Photo by David Grunfeld, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)
1
posted on
08/06/2016 11:50:04 AM PDT
by
BBell
To: BBell
A true icon of New Orleans. RIP
2
posted on
08/06/2016 11:51:42 AM PDT
by
dfwgator
To: BBell
Rest in peace. One of the greats.
3
posted on
08/06/2016 11:53:54 AM PDT
by
Liberty Valance
(Keep a Simple Manner for a Happy Life :o)
To: BBell
He’ll never die in the virtual world, like Vic Fontaine.
4
posted on
08/06/2016 11:55:36 AM PDT
by
MUDDOG
To: BBell
My husband and I were big Pete Fountain fans,
These days we have JayZ and Eminem.:-(
.
5
posted on
08/06/2016 11:57:44 AM PDT
by
Mears
To: BBell
RIP Mr. Fountain- a true musical virtuoso and gift to the world.
6
posted on
08/06/2016 11:59:18 AM PDT
by
Victor
(If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
To: BBell
To: dfwgator
The man Squidward could never be.
8
posted on
08/06/2016 12:04:20 PM PDT
by
BBell
(calm down and eat your sandwiches)
To: BBell
9
posted on
08/06/2016 12:14:21 PM PDT
by
USMCPOP
(Father of LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
To: Victor
Probably unfortunately for me, I’ve heard of him but never listened to a note of his music. I grew up in Detroit, and we listened to Motown and the local musicians such as Seger, Mitch Ryder, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk, Ted Nugent, the English invasion, and dozens of other groups and musicians. RIP Pete Fountain.
10
posted on
08/06/2016 12:16:58 PM PDT
by
gigster
(Cogito, Ergo, Ronaldus Magnus Conservatus)
To: gigster
I grew up in Detroit...I just posted this on another thread:
I saw him play at a Jazz festival in downtown Detroit about 42 years ago. I went with some high school friends who played the clarinet. I had no idea who he was.
11
posted on
08/06/2016 12:20:40 PM PDT
by
stayathomemom
( Read Shadow Men, The Progressive Virus, and The Marxist Playbook by Dr. Anthony Napoleon)
To: BBell
One of my Dad’s favorites. Thanks for the music. Rest in Peace.
12
posted on
08/06/2016 12:54:13 PM PDT
by
OwenKellogg
(The enemy is hiding in plain sight.)
To: dfwgator
I’ve always loved his music. I had a trip to New Orleans many, many years ago and remember sitting in the shaded courtyard behind his establishment, having a drink and enjoying the music.R.I.P.
13
posted on
08/06/2016 1:13:00 PM PDT
by
tob2
("so much to do, so little desire to do it." anon.)
To: BBell
now he belongs to the ages. fantastic jazz man. RIP.
14
posted on
08/06/2016 2:07:53 PM PDT
by
dadfly
To: BBell
He was on Johnny Carson a lot.
15
posted on
08/06/2016 6:01:40 PM PDT
by
brianr10
(I'm more equal than everyone.)
To: gigster
Well get yourself some records and listen!
Don’t miss out !
Pete is one of the all time greats.
16
posted on
08/06/2016 6:21:08 PM PDT
by
mumblypeg
(Make America Sane Again.)
To: BBell
I was at the Papal Mass in New Orleans in 1987 and heard him play “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. It was beautiful and I still remember it. Al Hirt was good, too. I’ve seen Pete Fountain several times on Johnny Carson’s show and to finally be in the same arena with him was special. A truly memorable evening. R.I.P. Pete.
17
posted on
08/06/2016 8:17:45 PM PDT
by
NCC-1701
(You have your fear, which might become reality; and you have Godzilla, which IS reality.)
To: mumblypeg
Well get yourself some records and Listen! Records?? What are these records you speak of ? Just kidding. I used to be a guitar and bass player, and am into classic and progressive rock, having grown up in Detroit. I like woodwind instruments but don't identify with the music, being a man of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Maybe I'll youtube Pete Fountain and give him a listen. He probably deserves that, at least.
18
posted on
08/06/2016 9:01:30 PM PDT
by
gigster
(Cogito, Ergo, Ronaldus Magnus Conservatus)
To: gigster
It's your interest that matters...Pete Fountain played on the level of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and all the other great clarinetists of the world.
Your handle- gigster- are you a musician? It would figure because of your interest in truly great musicians.
19
posted on
08/07/2016 6:16:32 AM PDT
by
Victor
(If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
To: Victor
Your handle-gigster-Are you a musician? Yes I am , or used to be a musician. I started at upright bass in the early 70's, and graduated to electric bass, then electric guitar for over twenty years. However , in 2012,in a case of gross negligence and incompetence by a doctor, gave me a stroke and paralyzed my left, or fretting hand. So, I can't be a practicing musician anymore, nor can I type very well.
20
posted on
08/07/2016 4:06:20 PM PDT
by
gigster
(Cogito, Ergo, Ronaldus Magnus Conservatus)
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