Dave Matthews Blasts Grammys for LeRoi Moore Snub
- Posted on Feb 12th 2009 12:00PM by Steve Baltin
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Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moroe died last August after complications from injuries he suffered in an ATV accident. But Moore did not make the list of faces and names showcased during the Grammys' 'In Memoriam' segment last Sunday. And it's a snub DMB fans are rallying against with online petitions that demand an apology.
NARAS President Neil Portnow responded to the criticism, saying in a statement, "Nearly 250 members of our music community have passed in the last year, and all of them have been listed in the program book for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, including LeRoi Moore. For the 'Encore' segment of our annual Grammy Awards telecast, unfortunately we are unable to include all of the talented and wonderful people within the allotted timeframe. The Academy recognizes Moore's contributions to music and music education, and we are deeply saddened by his premature passing."
That may not be enough though for Dave Matthews, who said through his Twitter account, "We know what a great man Mr. Moore was. We remember him." He added, "The Grammies [sic] are not my cup of tea. I won't go unless I have to."
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Dearly Departed Musicians
Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Feb. 9: The "heartbeat" of Cuba's legendary Buena Vista Social Club, a group of semi-retired musicians living in Havana made famous thanks to the work of producer Ry Cooder, died of complications from prostate surgery. He was 76.
Jose Luis Magana, AP
Lux Interior, Feb. 4: The frontman of the legendary punk band the Cramps passed away due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Dave Allocca, Getty Images
Dewey Martin, Jan. 31: The drummer for the short-lived country rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield was found dead in Van Nuys, Calif. The cause of death is unknown. Martin added the backdrop to early hits penned by bandmates Neil Young ('Mr. Soul') and Stephen Stills ('For What It's Worth'). He was 68.
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Hank Crawford, Jan. 29: The prolific saxophonist, who led Ray Charles' band, played with Jimmy McGriff and had a successful career in his own right, died at his home in Memphis. He was 74.
Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.
Samir Hussein, Getty Images
Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.
Michael Bush, WireImage
Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.
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David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.
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Pedro Aguilar, Jan. 13: The mambo dancing legend known to most as 'Cuban Pete' was one of the genre's leading men in the 1950s. He died at the age of 81.
AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Raul Rubiera
Ron Asheton, Jan. 6: Along with Iggy Pop, left, the guitarist helped define the Detroit garage rock sound with the beloved Stooges. Although it hasn't been made official, it's believed that Asheton suffered a heart attack at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home. He was 60.
Harold Cunningham, WireImage
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