Remembering Musicians We Lost in 2008

Over the past year, we lost some of our most beloved musicians who've shared their art with us and contributed richness to the musical tapestry of New Orleans and the world. Please join us in remembering their songs and their spirits, and use the comments section below to add your own tributes to anyone we've missed.

Wilbert "Junkyard Dog" Arnold

Drummer, b. 1955

» Watch a video of his jazz funeral

» Read his obituary on NOLA.com

» Read a review in the New York Times

Napoleon "Nappy" Brown

Singer, b. 1929

» Read his New York Times obituary

John Brunius

Trumpeter, pianist, bandleader, b. 1929

» See photos of his jazz funeral

» Read a remembrance on NOLA.com

Hayward "Chuck" Carbo

Singer, b. 1926

» Read a memorial on our website

» Read his obituary on NOLA.com

Bo Diddley

Guitarist, singer, composer, b. 1928

» Read his New York Times obituary

» Learn how to play the Bo Diddley Beat

Chris Gaffney

Singer, guitarist, accordionist, composer, b. 1950

» Read about the Chris Gaffney tribute album

» Read his obituary in the L.A. Times

Norman Hedman

Conguero and composer, b. 1945

» Read an obituary on his website

Freddie Hubbard

Trumpeter, b. 1938

» Read a memorial on our website

Eartha Kitt

Singer, actress, and cabaret star, b. 1927

» Read her obituary in the Village Voice

» Go to the official site of the legendary star of song, stage and screen

Nathanial Mayer

Singer, b. 1944

» Visit Nathaniel Mayer's MySpace page

» Read a profile in the Detroit Metro Times

» Read more on the Ponderosa Stomp website

Michael Miller

Guitarist, b. 1952

» Read about him on the Blue Stew website

» Read a memorial on our site

Mitch Mitchell

Drummer, b. 1946

» Read his New York Times obituary

Robert Molinelli

Pianist, b. 1943

» Read about a tribute to Robert Molinelli at the Palm Court on January 16, 2009

» Discuss memories of Robert Molinelli in our forums

» See a list of some of the albums that he played on

Earl Palmer

Drummer, b. 1924

» Read a memorial on our site

» Read his New York Times obituary

Barbara Sparks

Big Queen of the Yellow Jackets, b. 1943

» Read a memorial on our site

Read More: Today in Louisiana Music History

Want to know which Louisiana musician was born on this day? Check out WWOZ show host Tom Morgan's daily feature at louisianabirthdays.com.