Leon Redbone | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Dickran Gobalian |
Also known as | Leon Redbone |
Born | Nicosia, Cyprus | August 26, 1949
Died | May 30, 2019 New Hope, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 69)
Genres | Vaudevillian, ragtime, jazz, blues |
Occupation(s) | musician, songwriter, arranger, producer |
Instruments | Guitar, Harmonica, Banjo, Piano, Throat Tromnet[1] |
Years active | 1975—2015 |
Labels | Warner Bros. Records, Emerald City, Rounder, August, Blue Thumb Records |
Website | www.leonredbone.com |
Leon Redbone (born Dickran Gobalian; August 26, 1949 – May 30, 2019) was a Cypriot-American singer, actor and guitarist. He played mostly jazz and blues.
Redbone sang the theme to the television series Mr. Belvedere.[2] He was a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s. He last appeared on the show in 1983.[3] During the 1980s and '90s, Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He has also been a guest on A Prairie Home Companion (radio broadcast).[4]
Redbone voiced a fake snowman version of himself in the 2003 comedy Christmas movie Elf.
He retired in May 2015 due to health issues.[5] Redbone died under hospice care in New Hope, Pennsylvania on May 30, 2019 at the age of 69.[6] The cause was problems from dementia.[7]
It's now impossible to envision Redbone back on "SNL." His last appearance on the show was in 1983.
Throughout his career, Redbone has produced 11 albums and has been featured on Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion."
Leon Redbone, the legendary folk/jazz/roots performer has retired from both public appearances and recording. A spokesman for the artist noted, "We share the sadness and disappointment sure to be experienced by his many fans and friends and hope they understand that his health has been a matter of concern for some time. It has become too challenging for him to continue the full range of professional activities."
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