Huey ‘Piano’ Smith Dead at 89: Session Man Reportedly Died in His Sleep

Huey Smith, popularly known for his moniker "Piano" and for helping Lloyd Price and Little Richard, has passed away at the age of 89; what was his cause of death?

According to the Associated Press, the musician's death was confirmed by his daughter, Acquelyn Donsereaux, saying her father died in his sleep on February 13 at his Baton Rouge home.

She did not specify whether the musician had health problems prior to his death.

Billboard reported that Smith was a native of New Orleans and despite performing in several cities across the United States, he would always return to his hometown of Louisiana.

Smith spent his early days in the Uptown part of New Orleans. His father was a roofer while his mother worked as a laundry worker. He became fascinated with the piano and learned how to use it by watching his uncle play the instrument. After observing for a while, he mastered the eight-bar progression that became the backbone of hit blues songs.

He loved the instrument so much that he would play obsessively, leading neighbors to get annoyed.

Piano was popularly known as one of the last people who contributed to the blooming New Orleans sound of rock 'n' roll.' It seems like music was truly his passion as he started playing professionally at the age of 15.

During his 20s, he's already helping out music legends on their songs like Lloyd Price's "Where You At?" "I Hear You Knocking" by Smiley Lewis," "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" by Earl King, and many more.

Aside from the songs and artists mentioned above, he also worked with great legends like Little Richard, David Batholomew, and Fats Domino.

Smith didn't completely spend his entire career helping out other artists with their work as he was able to establish his own band called Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns

The group managed to reach the top 10 charts with their smash hit "Rockin' Pneumonia" featuring the vocals of John Marchin.

Despite having a successful career during his early days, his popularity was overshadowed by the Beatles around the 1980s, leading him to quit the music industry.

Following his big career move, he settled with his wife Margarette in Baton Rouge and both of them became Jehova's Witness.

Tags

Piano, New Orleans, Death, Cause of death, Obituary, Tribute, News, Music