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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 2
BY SENATOR CARTER AND REPRESENTATI VE LYONS
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Arthur
"Art" Lanon Neville.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Legislature of
Louisiana learned of the passing of Art Neville, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of
eighty-one on July 22, 2019, after years of declining health; and
WHEREAS, Arthur Lanon Neville was born on December 17, 1937, the son of
Amelia (Landry) and Arthur Neville Sr.; and
WHEREAS, he grew up in New Orleans and was a singer, songwriter, and
keyboardist; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville started on piano and performed with his brothers at an early
age and was influenced by the R&B styles of James Booker, Bill Doggett, Booker T. Jones,
Lloyd Glenn, and Professor Longhair; and
WHEREAS, when in high school, he joined The Hawketts and, in 1954, recorded
"Mardi Gras Mambo" that gained popularity and became a New Orleans carnival anthem;
and
WHEREAS, Art Neville joined the United States Navy in 1958 and returned to music
in 1962; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1960s, he formed the Neville Sounds which included Aaron
Neville, Cyril Neville, George Porter, Leo Nocentelli, and Ziggy Modeliste playing at the
Nitecap and the Ivanhoe nightclubs; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville backed many notable artists such as Lee Dorsey, Betty
Harris, and the Pointer Sisters; his band had a strong sense of "groove" and, unlike
traditional groups, each instrument was free to lead and go anywhere musically … this style,
over time, became known as "New Orleans Funk"; and
WHEREAS, he was a staple of the New Orleans music scene for more than five
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decades; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville was the founder of the funk band The Meters whose musical
style set the tone of New Orleans Funk, and also co-founder of the rock-soul-jazz band, The
Neville Brothers, and he later formed the spinoff group, The Funky Meters; and
WHEREAS, he performed on many recordings by notable artists from New Orleans
and elsewhere, including Patti Labelle, Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, Dr.
John, Professor Longhair, and Chocolate Milk; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville and his band gained notoriety in the rock music community
including Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, and The Rolling Stones, which had a lasting
impact on upcoming musical styles such as hip-hop, as well as jam bands, including Phish,
Galactic, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, Art Neville and his brothers Cyril, Aaron, and Charles formed
The Neville Brothers who were previously working with The Wild Tchoupitoulas; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville & The Neville Brothers released their first album in 1978
and in 1981 famous music critic, Stephen Holden, wrote: "The Neville Brothers' style of soul
music combines funk, doo-wop, reggae, and salsa under the banner of New Orleans rhythm
and blues"; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville performed many shows with the original Meters bandmates
including a 1989 reunion at the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and following that performance,
Neville, Porter, Nocentelli, and Russell Batiste formed The Funky Meters; and
WHEREAS, he received a Grammy in 1989 with the Neville Brothers for Best Pop
Instrumental Performance; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville received a Grammy in 1996 with various artists for Best
Rock Instrumental Performance in "SRV Shuffle" a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan; and
WHEREAS, he was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 in the category of Best
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement
Award in 2018 as a member of The Meters; and
WHEREAS, Art Neville retired from music in December 2018 and Louisiana
Governor John Bel Edwards released statements in recognition of his contributions to New
Orleans music; and
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WHEREAS, Art Neville is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Lorraine; three
children, Arthel, Ian, and Amelia; a sister and his two brothers, Aaron and Cyril.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its deepest condolences on the death of Arthur "Art" Lanon Neville, and does hereby
commend him posthumously for the incredible legacy he left with his community, state, and
nation, and offer thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort to those who mourn him.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Arthur Lanon Neville.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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