Dr. John, the legendary New Orleans-based musician who blended elements of jazz, R&B, rock, funk and blues, has died at the age of 77, his family announced in a tweet. He died of a heart attack early on Thursday morning.
Born Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. on Nov. 20, 1941 in New Orleans, Dr. John became one of the rare musicians who was as synonymous for his sound as he was for the city where he was born and lived. Beginning as a session musician in the 1950s, Dr. John was a staple in the New Orleans music scene, playing in the city’s rich dives as well as events like Jazz Fest.