Russell Batiste Jr., the multi-talented New Orleans drummer who powered the Funky Meters and scores of other bands, died Saturday at his home in LaPlace. He was 57.
The cause of death was a heart attack, his brother Damon Batiste said.
“He was like a son to me,” Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli said Sunday, hours after learning of Russell’s death.
“I didn’t know how much he meant to me until now. It’s a helluva loss to New Orleans music and culture.”
A partial list of bands Batiste played in includes the Meters, the Funky Meters, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Dumpstaphunk, Bonerama, Papa Grows Funk, the Wild Magnolias and the Joe Krown Trio, in addition to his own Russell Batiste & Friends.
He also was a member of the all-star trio Vida Blue featuring Phish keyboardist Page McConnell and Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge.
“Russell was a major economic development engine by himself,” Damon Batiste said. “A lot of that will suffer by him not being here.”
Despite an international reputation — the likes of Mick Jagger professed admiration for Batiste’s drumming — he did not aspire to fame and fortune. He preferred performing in local clubs to traveling the world.
“He never was interested in accolades and money,” Damon Batiste said. “He wanted to make the music right. Russell loved New Orleans more than anything. He just wanted to be at the Maple Leaf Bar and Le Bon Temps Roule.
“Russell should have been playing stadiums, not music clubs. You don’t have talent like that in a bar.”
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