Allen Toussaint, influential New Orleans songwriter and producer, dies at 77

Allen Toussaint, who wrote a long list of classic songs, has died. The New Orleans musician and producer behind “Lady Marmelade,” “Working in the Coal Mine” and others was 77 years old.

The Associated Press reports that he suffered a heart attack following a performance at the Lara Theater in Madrid.

Emergency responders were called to his hotel this morning and he was revived. However, he stopped breathing on the way to a Madrid hospital and was unable to be revived, Madrid emergency services spokesman Javier Ayuso told the AP.

The New York Times notes that Toussaint was performing continuously and even had shows scheduled for Belgium and Britain after the shows in Spain. A member of the audience in last night’s show even uploaded a video, showing Toussaint singing and playing piano.

Toussaint was born in New Orleans and frequently performed at the famed New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His career is filled with countless hits. He wrote “Working in the Coal Mine” for Lee Dorsey and produced “Lady Marmelade” for Labelle. Other classics he wrote include “Ride Your Pony,” “Fortune Teller,” :Southern Nights” and “Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues).”

Toussaint also collaborated with artists from a wide range of backgrounds, including Paul McCartney, The Band, Etta James, Dr. John and Elvis Costello.

In addition to his tour, Toussaint was supposed to perform at a New Orleans benefit concert on Dec. 8 with Paul Simon.

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