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BORN
1935
DIED
2023
Les McCann Obituary
Les McCann was a soul-jazz pioneer who helped turn jazz into protest music through "Compared to What," and was later sampled by hip-hop artists like Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, and A Tribe Called Quest.
We invite you to share condolences for Les McCann in our Guest Book.
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(Photo: Gilles Petard/Redferns)
13 Entries
Yvonne Stewart
February 24, 2025
My deepest condolences to Mr. McCann's family. I met him one day when I was looking for a different patient. Such a cheerful soul. We would talk about my dogs and he would share his drawings and books with me. A friend of my spoke with Mr Mc Cann over the phone and my friend later stated what an honor it was to speak with him. A true legend and a gentleman. He is missed.
Karen (Henderson) Rochell
February 14, 2025
At the Pontchartrain and Bakers Keyboard Lounge in Detroit with my mom, his late sister Carma. I was 6 and he cussed in his song compared to what. I was socked! lol But he also came to my class to play for my fifth grade class and the teachers went crazy! I´m 61 now, lots of memories of Les in Kentucky and in concert in Detroit. I last saw him play in Detroit at the Montrux Jazz Festival, it was great to see him. I will always have found memories of Les. He is the reason I love jazz.
Bob Lingle
September 29, 2024
Les and I were in a Navy drum and bugle corps in 1953 in Illinois. He played snare drum and I played soprano bugle [1 valve]. Many of us would laugh, including Les, because, as we marched, he was often dropping a stick. During free time we both spent time goofing around on the piano. Les's mother had to sign an authorization for him to join the Navy because he was not yet 18. Les grew into manhood soon after joining and had to be re-issued a full compliment of Navy uniforms. We stayed in touch by mail [I still have some of his letters] during our Navy tour of duty, although he was sent to the west coast and I went to the east coast. Sometime in the late 1960's Les was playing in Atlanta with Leroy C. on bass [I've forgotten the drummer] and I invited him to visit us at our house. At that time our family was my wife, Jean, and two young boys [about 6 and 8] and an infant girl. My boys, now 65 and 63, thoroughly enjoyed the clowning around with Les and still talk about it occasionally. I had picked up Les at his hotel and when it came time to take him back, he got in the car and as we pulled away from the house a neighbor of mine from across the street came out of his house and saw us leaving. Les said, "Do you have any friends around here?" I said, "Yes". He said, "You don't anymore." [That probably needs no explanation considering we were in the 1960's south.] As an aside, the gentleman who came out of his house was Norman Plunkett, Sr. who, as I recall, was the first director of Dr. Charles Stanley's "In Touch Ministries" TV program. I told him the story later and he would have been delighted to have met Les. Les and I re-established our friendship by phone in later years. He had sent us a copy of "Invitation To Openness" some time ago and surprised us by phoning on Dec. 25, 2022 to extend Christmas Greetings. One of my adult guitar playing grandsons was excited having talked "live" to Les that day as a result of the phone call. Les and I last talked in Sept. or Oct. 2023 and I called him on 12-25-2023 to wish him a Merry Christmas, and of course, could not reach him. We pray for his family. Bob Lingle, Georgia
Nancy Wang
March 21, 2024
I met Les when he was playing at Keystone Corner in S.F. I suppose he did this a lot, but that night he saw me in the audience and decided I was the one he wanted to meet. Well, our friendship lasted from that evening til his passing. We would go out after his performances in SF and always he would get everyone in the restaurant talking with each other. He sprinkled love to the waitresses or if there was one that was rather dour he´d remind her that life was short and she should find a job she loved. He sent for me to join him on other tours like in Seattle. He took so many photos of me and I cherish them to this day. Once he brought his agent and his wife over to my apartment and I cooked and we ate and laugh through the evening. Eventually I met someone and married. He surprised me and came to my wedding. Then he met Judy. Judy from Arizona. They came to my house and asked me to conduct a ceremony for their marriage. He always wrote to me and he´d call me on the phone. When he was living in the nursing home I sent my daughter over with Chinese food. When I was in LA I´d visit and do the same. I miss his wonderful soul. He was a spirit to be reckoned with. He was pure love.
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ER
March 18, 2024
My deepest sympathy is with Les´s family and friends. May the fond memories always be cherished.
Vivian Montgomery
February 2, 2024
I'm so happy that I got the chance to meet and visit with you even though it was more me a stranger that did a three month internet search in hopes of founding you to return to you a pocket watch inscribed by your grandmother Carie that somehow you lost track of forty plus years ago. On Sept 14,2023 in room 227 you and that precious watch was reunited and you were not only shock but super happy that it returned home to you. l had since wrote that watch's short story of its years away from you which l finished on December 30, and was preparing to bring to you when l found out on February 2 you had passed on December 29. I'm so sorry you're gone l only had the pleasure of two enjoyable visits with you but l feel l have known you a lifetime and maybe soon l can unite the your watch's story with your watch. Thanks for what you brought and left for people of the world to forever enjoy.
Linda Finch
January 31, 2024
I became familiar with Les McCann's music as a student at George Washington University. My college roommate introduced me to his music as well as the disc jockeys at WHUR. I love every song on the Another Beginning album. I continue to play it almost 50 years letter. I got to see him perform at Gilly's for former jazz club in Dayton in 1975 or 1976. I, regrettably, missed his last performance in Cincinnati. You will be missed, but your music legacy will live on forever
Kapauner Lewis
January 21, 2024
Unfortunately, I never actually met Mr. McCann. However, I enjoyed his music. I was first introduced to his music by my dad who constantly played the Stormy Monday album that he did with the late great Lou Rawls. I did get a chance to see him in concert at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. He gave a great performance and talked about coming home (he was a native of Lexington).
RIP Les. Kentucky loves you.
Bob Thomson
January 15, 2024
Poppi Les, we will cherish our time with you and the impact you had on our family. And even if you are in the heavens, you still only got 1 shot on the court, that beautiful fade-away from the corner of the key. Play on brother, play on.
Lewis Vidor
January 5, 2024
I met Les at my restaurant, Typhoon, at the Santa Monica airport. Les, preformed many times. The patrons loved him. He would always get them standing and clapping to the beat. I remember, Les would always order the deep fried catfish. I still have on my cell phone, a number of his tunes. “Compared to What”, “Cold duck Time”, “Burnin’ Coal”, “Doin That Thing”. I did get a few tears when I heard of his passing.
Lea Love
January 3, 2024
I first came in contact with Les when he and his band played at Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach,Ca. In 1973. His music memorized me and I soon became a fan. He was a nice guy and very talented. I have all his albums and still enjoy them to this day. Was so sad to hear of his passing. God Bless his family through this huge loss. RIP Les..I´ll play your music until it´s my turn to be with our savior.
Signed : A longtime fan Lea
Yvonne Stewart
January 3, 2024
I met Mr McCann at the skilled nursing facility. I remembering hearing from behind a curtain "Yo, are you here to feed me" . I stated no, but I can. His soulful friendly voice brought me back and I would talk to him about his books and records. I would share photos of my dogs and he referred to me as the dog lady. I thought that was so funny but he always was a joyful person to speak to. He painted many pictures and was inspirational to many that met him. He had a love for life and welcomed everyone that entered his path. I will miss him. He was a great gift to all of us. The dog lady (as he referred to me. I will treasure his memory)
RAR
January 3, 2024
Such an incredibly talented musician. He was creative and was a visionary that brought jazz to places beyond the jazz world. Heartfelt condolences to the McCann family, truly sorry for your loss. In your time of tears, may God be with you all to help you through this difficult time of your loss.
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