Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (Leon Redbone Documentary)

[@JeffHalle]

I was on a late night flight from Tampa to Houston, early 80s, there were maybe 20 people on the plane. Turns out Leon was on the same flight, he got permission to pull his guitar out, drinks flowed, and he entertained us till we landed.

[@Seasidecc95437]

Lucky lucky

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Wow, excellent experience. And once in a life time.

[@charlespennyworth3698]

Mr. Redbone didn’t die, he just went back in time.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

Exactly.

[@josephpaglia9006]

I had the privilege of attending perhaps a half-dozen of Mr. Redbone's concerts. At the end of a couple of his performances, I went backstage (always uninvited) and had brief conversations with him, including taking photos with him. He was always gracious and kind, offering to sign an autograph or two. After the first concert, back in the 70's at Red Creek, in Rochester, N.Y., I complimented him for his meaningful rendition of "If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven." He responded, "If you like mine, find Elvis' version. It's terrific." It took me a while to track that down, but when Mr. Redbone and I met again, I told him I had found it, but still liked his better, to which he smiled and broke into the tune (acapella) for me. Rest in Peace, Sir.

[@eugenershannoniii5258]

I envy that in a way. I was a child when I first heard his songs and I remember loving them. He came to the city I lived in but my father was dying so I missed his concert.

[@josephpaglia9006]

@@eugenershannoniii5258 Hello Sir, Thank you for commenting. It's unfortunate that you were unable to see Mr. Redbone's concert, especially due to the tragic passing of your father. My condolences on your loss.

[@thesjkexperience]

Thanks, cool story 🎉. Was lucky to see him open for George Carlin in Milwaukee.

[@brettlowden7073]

I saw him at Red Creek 2 he was awesome at Brockport University too

[@TaMboL.VicToRy2911]

Thank you for sharing. I always Love hearing of Humble people like this. Bless Up ✌🏻

[@NormanBurggrafJr]

First saw Leon on Saturday Night Live when I was a freshman in college in 1976-77. The guy who lived next to me in the dorm had his first album "On the Track," and when a bunch of us would be packed into his dorm room getting good and high, inevitably he would flip Leon on and it seemed like we were immediately transported into a different world. Followed him throughout the years and bought his albums as they came out. Then, in 1981 or 1982, I found out he was playing at a theater in my hometown of Mishawaka, IN, right across the street from the bar my family owned. Went to the show, of course, and it exceeded all expectations. Hard to imagine this about Leon you might think, but he had the place rocking. I think this was about the time his "Champagne Charlie" album came out. Because I was friends with the guys who owned the theater, and they knew what a big fan I was of Leon, they made sure I got to meet him after the show. What a disappointment. He had a scarf wrapped around his neck and wouldn't say a word to anyone. He would just point to whatever he wanted at the bar and some guy that was with him would tell the bartender what Leon wanted. Honestly, I thought he was kind of a prima donna. But, I remained a fan as time went by. Saw him in Madison, WI and Three Oaks, MI. Great shows. Then, in 2002, saw he was playing at a little theater in Redkey, IN, just south of Ft. Wayne. So, drove down with my wife to see him. The show was a hoot, as usual. By this time, I had collected all of his albums on CD's, and on a whim I took them with me to the show. Connected to this little theater was a bar, and after the show, Scott Black, Leon's long-time cornet player, was sitting there having a drink. So, I engaged him in conversation, and asked him if he though Leon would autograph my CD's. Didn't think this would happen, but it never hurts to ask, right? Much to my surprise, Scott went backstage and evidently told Leon he needed to come out and see this nut out front, and here he came. I showed him my CD collection and asked him if he would autograph them. He said "Well, I've never seen anything like this." And he stood there and autographed every one of them. Not on the outside of the jewel box, though, because I thing he realized the marker would rub right off. He actually took the time to take the paper insert out of every single one of these CD's ( I think there are 12 or so, I would have to run down in the basement and count to be sure) and write "To Norm, Leon Redbone 2002" and then carefully slide the paper insert back into the jewel box. I couldn't believe the time and consideration he took. As you might imagine, this took some time (as I heard him say frequently at his shows "thing take time!"), so we stood there and talked the entire 1/2 hour or so it took him to do this. I brought up that I had met him years earlier in Mishawaka, Indiana, and that he didn't seem to have much to say. He said "I remember that! I had laryngitis so bad after that show I could hardly talk." So, that explained that, and I felt bad I had misjudged him. Then, he went on to tell me this hilarious story that he also came down with a really bad toothache, and his next show was in Valparaiso, IN, so when he got there, he randomly looked up a dentist. He described this as being the most primitive dentist he could have ever imagined; how he had all these "medieval torture devices" hanging on his wall. He said he was scared to death, but the tooth came out successfully. I was laughing my ass off. He finished signing my CD's and then asked my wife and I and Scott Black if we wanted to go backstage and "continue the conversation" while he got ready to go. Of course, we didn't turn that down. I've got a few great photos of us cutting up with him and Scott Black backstage. Anyway, was just heartbroken when he died. I visit "Leon Redbone" world frequently --that's the only way I can describe it, because even though he kept it all about the music, it was always so much more than that. Sorry for being so long-winded, but just wanted to share the experience I had with this kind, gracious, hilarious, talented, and one-of-a-kind human being. How lucky I was.

[@fisch69]

Great story user-rb8vq8oj..Leon was the man! I first heard his music in the mid 70s . Right after I got out of the Army in ‘73? I got a job at Peaches Records and Tapes in St. Louis and heard tons of great music, including Leon..great music, great times ..He is missed.🥲

[@musicola7371]

Thanks for sharing your warm hearted story. I also first saw Leon on SNL. Bought some of his LP record albums. Cheers!

[@GraceE31993]

Love this. Thanks.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

WOW!.....awesome story and experience.

[@rd4660]

I took a date to a Leon Rebone concert at a very intimate venue in San Diego back in 1979. She had no idea what was in store for her. She had such a wonderful time that she stuck around....for the last 45 years.

[@curthenry9398]

The best concert I have seen was Leon Redbone at the University of North Dakota Grand Forks. I did not have much money and purchased cheap seats in the nosebleed section. The night of the concert there was a blizzard, I lived close enough to the hall that I could walk through the three were only a handful of persons at the concert. Mr. Redbone invited everyone to come to the edge of the stage and requested the lights be turned on. It was like having him play in your living room, Leon asks us our names and played. Joking and laughing. It was a wonderful evening,

[@davidbishop7181]

Sigh...the world is just not the same without Mr. Redbone in it. Thank you, sir, for all the pleasure you've given me since I first heard your music way back in the 1970s. I am inspired by your guitar style, and I will continue to talk about you now that you're gone, but only in glowing terms. Rest in peace.

[@jerryfields4837]

the irony is.....we will ALL be talkin bout u when im gone...Masterfull Entertainer , Brilliant everything

[@jonahperelman]

I’m struck by the poignancy of the last section. A man traveling alone, wearing a hat reserved for summertime in the dead of winter, as if carrying around memories of warmer times and warmer places; sitting alone quietly, as if there’s no one else in the world. He’s like a man out of time, a walking memory. Brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful, allusive film-making.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

A man out of time. He invented himself, and made no mistakes doing so. He'd probably disagree of course, but that's show biz. He seemed old when he was young and thus aged well. at least we had him for 127 years.

[@areaman2060]

Excellent post

[@TheophilusBoone]

It wasn't an act. He made himself as he wanted to be. I saw him three times and he was the most fascinating performer I have ever seen. He didn't tell the same joke or sing the same song either time. He was incredibly musical and hilarious. He was a character as authentic as W.C. Fields. His was art of the highest order.

[@jeffolsen4983]

I too saw him three times, over a span of about 30 years; he did do some of the same jokes over that span of many years. I was delighted to be treated to them again.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Musician, Blues man, The duke of Dixieland, Rex of Ragtime, The Tsar of Tin Pan Alley, The Custodian Of Old Southern Country, The Bey of Smooth Bourbon, Entertainer, Showman, Comedian, Father, Grandfather, Legend....LEON REDBONE.

[@bigearl33]

I saw him in the mid 90's, my friend won tickets and the opportunity to meet him back stage..... A group of people walk up to him, the lady with the venue introduces us "these are the contest winners", Leon's reply "winners, I want to meet the losers"

[@sayeager5559]

Miss him and John Prine very much.

[@lbshore]

He did our TV show in San Francisco in the 80's. Said he didn't want the camera in too cloae on his face. "if I see a closeup on the monitor I'm walking." 😅 He was just superb, as usual. I had already seen him around 1971 at a coffee house at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Always the mystery man. What a unique, original genius.

[@davidcurtis7547]

Leon reminds me of Groucho Marks . His humor and sensibility . Tough interview

[@kilgortrout3432]

I found him in the '70s and here he is today in 2021 a timeless musician.

[@sweisbrod6109]

I saw him at a small venue in Cincinnati around 1970. The other act that night was Cheech & Chong. I'd never heard of either act before that night. Transitioning my brain from hearing Leon Redbone for the first to seeing Cheech & Chong for the first time was an experience.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Interesting

[@billyclub9863]

Told him once that i came 500 miles to see him. He said, "You'll be rewarded in the Afterlife". He went out with us after the show, for a couple drinks.

[@rubberchicken5670]

I remember seeing Leon twice on the 1st season of SNL in 1975. I was 15. "Is this guy for real?" I had the same reaction to Tom Waits the1st time I saw him on the Dinah Shore Show in 1976. I thought these two men were putting me on. But, it was NO act. They were authentic. And who can forget those Leon Redbone commercials? I'll never forget the 1st time I played Leon's "At The Chocolate Bon Bon Ball" for a friend & co-worker who had unusual taste in music. "This is amazing! Who is this guy?" He was hooked! (BTW. That song is on his "Up A Lazy River" album. Be sure and check it out.) I just dug out 7 of my Leon Redbone CDs from my jazz collection. (Because where else would you file them?) And I'm rediscovering them again. I've been away too long! RIP Leon Redbone. You were 127 years old when you died. I hope you're sippin' a Mint Julip & crooning a tune with Bing Crosby in Crooner's Heaven. You will be missed, sir.

[@personanon-grata5083]

I saw him perform with George Carlin. Incredible.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Leon and Tom both appeared in the film Candy Mountain.

[@julietate7806]

My husband and I saw Leon in 1987 at the Grand Opera House in Macon, GA. We had front row seats ($10.00 which was outrageous at the time), but when he took the stage with the great Cindy Cashdollar on the pedal steel, we were riveted for about two and a half hours. Best $20 we ever spent.

[@depaola63]

Leon belongs in the Hall of Fame !! Also hard to believe he was born in 1949 !!.....I would have believed 1849 ! Old Soul 4 sure !! RIP Sir..

[@jabbermocky4520]

Mr. Redbone was a remarkable performer. At once, aloof and charming. He could enchant a small club like nobody else. I was treated to a Leon Redbone concert in Newport, Rhode Island, as a birthday present in September 1986 at the tiny and now defunct Blue Pelican ( formerly Harpo's ). He came onstage, the audience no more than a few feet away, and snapped a Polaroid photo of the room. Slowly, quietly, he waited for the picture to develop. The room was whispering and a few giggles erupted but otherwise it was an almost awkward moment. Then he peeled the picture open, studied it closely, visually compared it to the audience and said "Hmmmmm." I believe he did a double take at my table. Looking at the photo, looking at me, back to the photo and so on. Then he said "This one's called she's a bigtime woman from way out west" and he launched into the song. Really made my birthday special that year. I'd been a fan since my teens. RIP, you wonderful showman.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

We had a HARPO'S in my city that hosted plenty of acts before they got famous...including Aerosmith, AC/DC/Jimmy Hendrix/Boston Etc.

[@CBeard849]

How many times have I been introduced to a musical legend on KZbin.........only to find that the "legend" has passed away long before I had a chance to say "Hot Damn You Are Awesome"...?! Leon my friend.........I would never talk bad about you buddy!! Talk about your Legendary Literary Legend......You were it my Boy!! R.I.P. Leon!

[@oneorbonly]

Leon Redbone: The tuneful, time-travelin' troubador. What an original artist and delight! They made him, broke the mold - and then broke another 1000 molds anywhere near him, just for good measure. Had the honor and privilege of seeing and hearing him in concert twice, thank goodness, before his journeys here ceased. Rest well, Leon, and thank you so much for all the joy and warmth you brought to so many through the years.

[@richdouglas2311]

I had the good fortune to meet Leon once. It was around 1978 or '79. He was playing a double-bill with Tom Waits--a favorite of mine. I'd seen Leon on SNL and had a couple of his albums, so I was familiar with him. I was standing line at the newsstand outside the venue--the Harvard Theater in Cambridge, MA--and he was behind me, purchasing cigars. He commented on the comic book I was purchasing (hey, I was 19) and I mentioned that I had a ticket to see him. He let me know he'd see me first and that was it. But it was a magic moment--one that came so easily to him. Anyway, his performance was terrific (and so was Tom's). I'll never forget it....I hope.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Cool story.

[@dianahoward2606]

Yes, very cool story and lucky you for that magical encounter.

[@kathleenmacfarland1817]

Love you Mr. Redbone! Saw you in Mississippi in 2011❤🧡 I was with a musician friend. You took a pic of me back stage outside your backstage room. I was with a friend. I looked a little weirder than usual cuz I was recovering from carbon monoxide and gas poisoning! Love you.

[@maryjanesuter7520]

I used to hangout on weekends in the evenings at a place called Campbell's Coffee House in Hamilton, Ontario back in the late 60's early 70's. It was actually an old terrace house where Paul Campbell, his brother and several others lived and on Saturday evenings they covered their living room floor with cushions and serve coffee and things, played their guitars and featured other musicians, mostly folk, to play. People like David Bradstreet, Rick Taylor, Willie P Bennett and The Original Sloth Band played there. Leon used to come there from Toronto every few weeks or so and play. There was usually only 20 to 30 of us there. I have been hooked ever since. He lived above a pool hall in Toronto. I do know that at the time if you wanted to get in touch with him you had to ring and leave a message at the pool hall and he would get it. To this day he is still the coolest guy I have ever talked with. He never dropped out of character, the character was who he was. RIP Leon.

[@dianahoward2606]

Thanks for your memories.

[@demef758]

249 likes and zero dislikes. I think this sets a KZbin record, batting 1.000. Only Leon commands that kind of respect.

[@bilklein]

4 dislikes, probably from folks who wished it was longer.

[@spacemissing]

It is better to be enigmatic and appreciated than well known and loathed. A magnificent talent, unique, irreplaceable by anyone else.

[@mikeschneider901]

I did lighting for all the shows at college I worked at and had the pleasure of dining with Leon twice. He was a querky guy yet very entertaining and genuine.

[@richardf6330]

I feel so blessed to have enjoyed his fantastic talents at Rockerfellers in Houston in the 80"s. I was lucky enough to be seated right by the stage...close enough to maybe smell the aroma from his glass of whiskey. What a talent. What a loss.

[@johnnyrasputin4819]

Leon Redbone is the King of the Slackers! He is our Hero. Our patron saint...

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

I miss him to this day. We need a Leon in our lives.

[@jlmain5777]

That was a beautiful thing. I remember walking up 58th Street in New York City one fall afternoon from Fifth Avenue past Bergdorf’s and the Plaza Hotel and just ahead of me was Leon in a white suit carrying his guitar case probably heading to a gig somewhere. Just one of those New York moments.

[@hatednyc]

I just got goosebumps.

[@madogblue]

His silky voice, his guitar phrasing, the arrangements on his albums. One of a kind. I feel so fortunate to have seen him live. I wish there was more high quality video available of his performances. Nice job on this video.

[@davidalthouse7809]

RIP, Leon. Rest easy. You leave us some awesome music! ❤

[@TuckFwitter]

The world is less for his passing

[@62swampboy62]

So many times I've heard an old recording and realize that I've heard that song before - from Leon. He was a walking singing musical history lesson, and we're poorer with his passing. Saw him several times, first one in Columbus in a bar on High Street by OSU. Even took my mother to see him. Still have all that old vinyl, and listen to it regularly. Miss you, Leon.

[@tombown1681]

I have the wonderful good fortune to see him in about 1972 or so outside of Philadelphia. His talent and uniqueness has never left me. I tried to track him down in 2015 I learned that he had stopped performing publicly. Sorry I didn’t get to see him 45 years after I first saw him in public.

[@louisvillebsc1976]

I saw Leon multiple times in my lifetime and he always knocked my socks off. Once in a very small community center in Hopkins Minnesota. Maybe 100 people. He played three hours and nobody got up to pee until he was finished. White suit white fedora guitar chair lamp. I was captured in his charm A generation will miss this reluctant

[@CampVerde6]

My Dad used to put on, Leon Redbone when I was a kid and I hated it. My parents even saw him in concert. Now I wish I could have been fortunate enough to have seen him. This guy was an amazing artist is a one of a kind treasure who will be missed forever.

[@mattwuxx3888]

Was just a nostalgie-hungry and snarky Gen X kid at 13 when I first heard Leon Redbone on a Budweiser commercial in 1985. Yes, inauspicious some might say "sell-out" introduction to Leon's sneaky and cheeky greatness. I'm glad the guy got a solid paycheck from that for all the work he did prior that he probably barely got a dime from. Some would say 69 is too young to stop living. For for Leon I would say he's one of the few who could say he lived 2-3 lifetimes, by 50. And let's face it~ When you make music and touch lives the way Leon did, you never really stop living, do you?

[@elysium619]

Being a fingerpicker, for me, Leon was a real inspiration. All vintage songs.

[@fungiformenow]

I lived close to the great man in Pennsylvania and I have to say he was a delightful neighbour. We had quite a few chats about this and that, but mainly music. He did, however, give me some great advice. He told me to seek out and wear moleskin pants. Comfort? You’ll never look back, he said. Well sir, I’ve been wearing them moleskins fo4 twenty years now and he was right! I do believe their antibacterial properties saved me from Covid. Thank you, music man!

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

I will have to check them Moleskins out.

[@fungiformenow]

@@LeonRedboneTributeChannel you will not regret that decision, sir.😀

[@rapman5791]

🤦‍♂️

[@meloniraburn3280]

Where do u get moleskins??

[@fungiformenow]

@@meloniraburn3280 in a gentleman tailor’s emporium.

[@canajian]

Sure do miss Leon's periodical posts and wit ... Sending hugs to his daughter and family they have to be missing his character...🖐😎🎶🎶

[@jorglange2666]

My first concert in 1977 or 78 was Leon Redbone opening for Dave Mason somewhere near New Jersey, what a show!

[@myhouseimports]

OK, now get working on a 2-hour version please. (That was great!~)

[@FJL]

Saw him at ACL a few feet from me and a few more times indoor and outdoors. You never forget him. Like a favorite uncle he lives in your life forever. And all you ever do is miss him way more all the time. Time traveller.

[@andrewwalsh531]

I am sad to learn of his passing. Contrasted with this era of cookie cutter celebrity musicians we find ourselves in, he stands out as an original & truly unique performer.

[@nelgstuart3442]

He was one of a kind. I liked him very much.

[@joelwexler]

When I heard he died, I played almost nothing else for almost a year. He looks like Uncle Leo.

[@youdodat2]

That was BEAUTIFUL.

[@edmondedwards6729]

I used to fantasize that leon redbone was frank zappa in disguise...lol

[@vannshuttleworth4738]

O.M.G!!! I thought the same thing! Thank You!!

[@hatednyc]

Hahahaaha! Wonderful!

[@peterrandall9523]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tedingram516]

He was a treat to watch, Leon Redbone reminds me of Groucho Marx. Funny and so damed talented. RIP Leon 😎👍👍✌

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I never saw him live, but I have enjoyed his music for many years. I think I first saw him on Johnny Carson or perhaps on Saturday Night Live, it doesn't matter much now. But I loved the obscure old songs and his style of playing and singing. My son saw him live, probably in San Francisco, and got Leon to autograph a ticket for me, I will treasure it. It is sad to think he stopped performing 4 years ago and I wasn't aware of it. This video is a PERFECT tribute to this man, thank you to the producers and those that participated in it.

[@gerrymcguire7521]

He is the coolest dude ever! Always loved him from when I first saw him on Saturday night live

[@personanon-grata5083]

First time I heard his voice, the sound hypnotized me.

[@studuerson2548]

I saw Leon in Heidelberg, with Kottke, at the traditional concert hall. He had a heckler, and after about the third heckle, he pulled a flashlight from his pocket, and hit the heckler with a beam of light. The crowd loved it! The best half dozen concerts i ever saw were almost all in Germany.

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

He was famous for that

[@andr00NZ]

Lovely footage of John Prine there!

[@andrewshute4454]

One and only. First heard him early 70's. He just kept on popping up now and then in my life. Got me through some bleak times. RIP Great Man.

[@davidbrennan6072]

Many thanks !from uk

[@johnnyd63]

Keeping the Tin Pan Alley tunes alive. Loved his act.Just fantastic.

[@NemoNepersonne]

I had the great pleasure of sitting at a table next to the stage at a Leon Redbone concert at the Sellersville Theatre about 2008. What a wonderful, relaxed voice. What a wonderful persona. What a wonderful choice of songs. What a fine guitar player. I’m so glad he was in the world.

[@keykiyox]

My wildest dream I have ever thought of was to accompany him on piano. Well, I have to take what is available.

[@joecaprani5772]

Thank-you for this lovely short documentary. I had the great pleasure of seeing Leon twice in the late 90s, the 1st time at Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), and the 2nd time at the Aldeburgh Proms. He had such a great presence and I guess what I would term an understated charisma. I guess he was about 50 at the time I saw him, but he was ageless, he could have been in his 30s or his 80s, it was hard to tell. He shambled onto stage, sat down with that great sigh, then got up, shambled off again, shambled back with a brick in his hand, sat, placed his foot on the brick.....and sighed. He had us eating out of his hand before he'd even played a note. Genius. And then I was just transported by his playing, his captivating vocal style, and I just wanted to be lazing in a hammock and drifting along. Thanks for your talent, sir, and for sharing it with us. God bless you and rest easy.

[@frankbarcelona2118]

First heard Leonabout50 years ago, I was drawn to his sound immediately, bought his album and love listening to relaxing style , voice and guitar playing , RIP Leon thanks for your great sounds !

[@theparalexview785]

Short and sweet. Sure, I wanted more, but this was probably just the way he'd prefer it.

[@dcm6073]

Thank you for making this wonderful tribute to a great musician.

[@karenstauffer1524]

He used to come into my shop occasionally to buy tahini. Never said much, but a pleasant guy. Always dressed really sharp.

[@dianahoward2606]

He reminds me a bit like Nikola Tesla in his style of dress.

[@jjoosneaphh]

I love him. The best I've ever heard

[@333Hogwarts]

There are times in this world when a soul is blessed to walk this earth with a vision. Leon was one of those souls. I have no doubt that his soul will return to us. Warm regards Albus

[@caniican]

My father loved Leon Redbone. I listen to it growing up. I still have the cassette. Lazy bones lying in the shade how do you expect to make a dime that way? You'll never make a dime that way etc etc etc

[@northernbohemianrealist]

I first saw Leon Redbone and Willie Nelson on SNL. They stopped having musical guests about 1980.

[@Rockabillygoaty]

Found the music of Leon late 70s and has been part of my life one way or other since!

[@sweatshopjesus]

I booked Leon to come over and play at an Arts festival in Waterford, Ireland in 2008 and had the privilege to hang with him for a few days. My abiding memories are of talking with him at dinner about the music of Django Reinhardt. Of an incident at the soundcheck where there was a barely audible whine coming through the PA from the electrics at the venue, the soundman was having trouble isolating it and Leon told him it was in B flat, if that helped. It did. Leon then whistled a B flat, paused a second and said "yep, it's gone". I asked him for a picture and he said "Sure, give me the camera, I'll happily take your photo", which, I gather, was what he usually said. We were in the green room which had a mirror on the wall facing a mirror on the opposite wall so he took our picture with an infinity of us receeding in the background. I found the picture recently and showed it to my kids. I said "Here's a picture of me with the snowman from Elf", whom they'd heard me say I'd met but I think thought it was some manner of dad joke. I was so sorry to hear of his passing and think of him often.

[@billdauphine951]

Very nice , you're lucky too...

[@michaelleblanc7283]

Got introduced to Leon & his tunes ca '78 and have liked him ever since. Made me cranky fate was unfair. I missed an evening out when a couple of good friends ran into him alone in a TO bar and spent the evening in his company

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Cool Story

[@seththomas9105]

All I know of Leon Redbone is what I've heard on the street. I heard he was born around St.Louis in 1884. Raised on a farm outside of a small railroad town. His his father who was a railroad conductor was gone a lot and his mother and grandparents mostly ran the farm with Leon and his siblings working hard along side them. His grandfather was a fiddle and guitar player and taught young Leon how to play, which led to Leon playing for money at a young age in saloons and juke joints, much to his mothers displeasure. At 20 Leon left home and worked on steamboats as a deck hand and worked his way to New Orleans where he worked days on the docks and nights playing in saloons, whore houses and jukes, wherever he could find work. Leon was left a considerable amount of money by a uncle who had done well out in Colorado in the mines and by shrewedly investing in farmland and banking concerns Leon became a gentleman farmer at the ripe old age of 35 and settled in the Vickburg area for the rest of his life (other than a incident in Phillidelphia that caused him to relocate to Canada for a few years.) Music was Leons first love and he praticed day and night his whole life, leading to his deciding to become a "professional" musician in the 1970's, which he did until his untimely death the age of 135. He leaves behind many good freinds, dogs, cats, horses, musical insturments and his small fortune to his many illegitimate children all over the world. That's how I heard it.

[@tonishower6391]

Lovely gentle music...kudos to you guys who appreciate him. Contrast that with the garbage that comes out of the modern popular music industry

[@bensch8604]

What a legend. A legend he will be.

[@russelljackman1413]

Wonderful! I love Leon's music, his voice and his persona!

[@CheriBomzArt]

Love Leon's music. He deserves a longer movie. Glad to have this at least. THANK U!!❣️💖

[@bazzlesblues]

The Genius Mentor he was like no other ...you will be missed by many but your songs and style will live on ...

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Yes, his songs and style must now live on through other musicians.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Woo wee the Mariposa Folk festival story and Prine retelling it...love it and LR

[@primrosereceptionist611]

He was the definition of... Enigmatic!

[@cracky_wainwright]

Oh good heavens! A Leon R video that I've never seen. I've loved LR's music and mystique since about 1982. I saw LR live at the beautiful Alys Stephens Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2004. Thanks for the video!

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnhi47]

His impeccable guitar technique is/was underestimated. What he does to mimic a piano is absolutely seamless but very difficult to emulate. The easy purr of his voice compliments the guitar perfectly and evokes the era spanning 1920-1953 when music was played on 78 rpm records hissing and scratching away. His sense of style and performance finish things perfectly. What a unique and wonderful individual!!!

[@LisaMitchellGD]

Rest In Peace Mr Redbone

[@PatrickMead]

LOVED Leon and miss him already. One of a kind.

[@TheFutureIsBright17]

Back around the turn of the century, I saw a fifth of Jagermeister sitting in the back of his little amp. I watched him do shadow puppets on the big screen behind him on stage over a female opera singer for a bit. Maybe it was Jenny Lind... Crowd laughed hard! The coolest memory for me is I got to play his guitar in his set up while he was sitting in the middle of the theatre. Only Leon in the middle of a 2000 seat venue listening to me play his guitar. Surreal memory for me. Leon Redbone is a stand-up gentlemen, so to speak. God bless Leon Redbone!

[@LeonRedboneTributeChannel]

Yes, he did the shadow puppets to Csardas. You can hear this track on the Live Album "Live From Paris France" Recorded October 26th 1992 at the Olympia Theatre. Go to the playlist section of this page and you will find the album there.

[@celticfury7328]

Fantastic documentary on the most unique performer to grace any stage. My brother introduced me to Leon's musical meandering in the late 70s...every time I hear that trademark ragtime guitfiddle picking and smokey smooth voice, I can't help but to smile! Seeing Leon live was to be a bucket list event (as his shows were few and far between), one that will sadly never be realized. Rest in peace, Mr. Redbone, this world is a much less colorful place without you in it.

[@johnstarrett7754]

We were lucky to open for him at the Blue Note In Boulder. What a character. Every set he had two different girls on his arms.

[@lewisclark9158]

Saw him in Atlanta, didn't know who or what he was. He was a master at Rag time, I never for got him. Thanks for sharing this wonderful Video!!!

[@CheriBomzArt]

Dang. I was Sooooo into learning more about him. Hated to see it end😞😢

[@paulbelgum1]

Sulpher Mountain mid seventies Billy Hansen came up with two albums under his arm saying, “You’ve gotta hear this.” We saw him play at the Santa Barbara Bowl with a tuba for his bass but never saw his face.

[@redwinmedia]

Thanks for this. As a kid, watching him on the Tonight Show, I thought I was the only one who couldn't figure him out.

[@beaux2585]

Leon didn't die, he just went back to 1920. We miss you.

[@patriotrising6214]

At the tender age of 13, I was introduced to. What would become addiction to MR . REDBONE and a return to the tunes of my youth . The songs strummed ,and sang by my old folk friends and relatives. Still to this day I can drop a jaw , doing an imitation of MR. REDBONE'S voice an music . Listen to his VYNL often ....sorry I talked about you while your gone sir 😉

[@donnaluke4103]

In his interviews he reminds me of groucho marx- his humour and vagueness IS. Groucho!

[@troygaspard6732]

I love his album Double Time.

[@fordjubilee]

His Leon Redbone...thats who he is... LOVE IT