Little Feat Co-founder and drummer Richie Hayward died this week. Only 64 but suffering from liver cancer, he had been waiting for a transplant. Hayward was monumentally talented and his drumming drove the New Orleans style Dixie Land jams of his popular and enduring group that inventively combined genres, from rock and country to jazz and blues.
The original Little Feat formed in 1969 but broke up in 1979, when singer Lowell George od'd. They reuinited in 1987, however, and are touring still. Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton and other legends have performed with them since their revival. Though Little Feat didn't have the commercial success some bands have enjoyed, they profoundly influenced many bands that followed. Haywayrd also performed with many artists outside of Little Feat, including Robert Plant and Buddy Guy.
In a letter to fans last August, Hayward wrote: "I love and will miss you all, and I will see you again on the proud highway." Doing what he loved till the very end, he last performed with his band on July 11.
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