Died July 22 2019

Art Neville (1937–2019), keyboardist and singer with the Neville Brothers and the Meters

Art Neville was a keyboardist and singer who was a founding member of the Neville Brothers and the Meters. Known as “Poppa Funk,” Neville was a staple of the New Orleans music scene, who helped shape the city’s signature sound. The Meters, formed in 1965, were among the originators of funk, performing their own songs as well as backing artists including Lee Dorsey, Robert Palmer, and . They were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. In 1977, Neville founded the Neville Brothers along with his brothers Aaron, Charles, and Cyril. Their notable songs include “Sister Rosa” and “Healing Chant,” which won a Grammy Award in 1989. In later years, Neville formed the Funky Meters along with some members of the original group. He continued playing with them until his retirement in late 2018.