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Richie Hayward of Little Feat Dead at 64

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Little Feat drummer and founding member Richie Hayward died Thursday from complications surrounding liver cancer and pneumonia, which he had been battling since 2009. He was 64.

Playing the drums since he was a kid, Hayward was best known for his 40 years of playing in the California-based southern rock band. After auditioning for Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention then joining the short-lived Factory, Hayward formed Little Feat with keyboardist Bill Payne, bassist Roy Estrada and original frontman Lowell George in 1969.

After releasing their self-titled debut in1971, the band made six more albums but split soon after George's death in 1979. They reformed in 1987 and recruited Craig Fuller as the lead vocalist. Hayward also recorded and performed with numerous musicians including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Carly Simon, Tom Waits, John Cale, Peter Frampton and Robert Plant.

Hayward remained as a member of Little Feat up until 2009, when he was diagnosed with liver cancer. "[Richie's] hanging in there," guitarist Paul Barrere told Spinner in October. "He's trying to be as positive as possible. He's sad that he can't be on the road. One of us calls him at least once a day just to keep his spirits up."

Before Heyward passed away, his bandmates, fellow musicians and fans organized many fundraisers to offset his medical costs, since he had no health insurance. He gave his last live performance in July when he joined Little Feat at the Vancouver Island Music Festival.

Watch Hayward Perform 'Rock 'n' Roll Doctor' With Little Feat


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Gregg Jarvis

Few drummers have been able to groove this hard, sing, and get da party started like Richie-along with Levon Helm - very much alike when you talk to them or hear them play As a drummer of 35 years he was as much an influence on my paying as Tony williams and John Bonham- Met him twice -what a regular guy - . Equally deft with Lowell's playing, singing,writing I am sorry Lowell passed before i got to see Feat live

August 12 2011 at 10:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doc

Best rock and roll drummer of all time, the beat behind the feat. His play moved me. RIP

August 25 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Deborah David

It is a very sad time for Richies wife Shauna and her 4 children. As well for his disabled son Sieveren. There was no health insurance as sadly Richie got his Landed Residence Status here in Canada towards the end of July. He spent one week in ICU in Victoria B.C. with mounting costs. His Health Care Insurance would have kicked in September 01. So this is to all of you that read this as a request to donate what ever you can afford to www.sweetrelief.org in Richies Haywards name. God Bless you Richie and your sweet family.

August 19 2010 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marl

I consider Richie and his syncopated funk the 2nd most important element of Little Feat's sound, next to Lowell's slide, both now gone. Really a shame as, by all reports, he was a great guy as well as a monster drummer. Sad news for us Feat fans... RIP

August 14 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daniel Hayward

my Dad was one of the best drummers i ever had the pleasure to see and hear, but he was an even better human being. his way of always making everyone laugh, being a cranky s.o.b. one minute and dropping invaluable wisdom the next, his open and accessible nature, and his genuine love for the art of music and all of its trappings made him a special man. it seems i'm not alone in loving him. carry on, and carry his humor and his spirit with you. i personally thank everyone for listening to him, seeing him live, and allowing his passion to touch your lives. - Daniel

August 14 2010 at 6:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mrmusic248

This guy was one of the tightest, funkiest, in-the-pocket drummers I've ever heard, or seen live.
I never saw the early line-up of L.F., but I did see the re-formed group twice.
Little Feat came back from Lowell George's death with a vengeance, and a totally renewed spirit.
There, sitting on the drummer's throne for both line-ups was Richie, showing the world that he was meant to do NOTHING ELSE but be a drummer.
The world today is emptier for his loss, but, heaven just got a whole lot funkier.
All fans everywhere give their collective hearts to his widow, the rest of the band, all drummers everywhere, and his family and friends.
May God's love sustain them and strengthen them at this time of grieving.
LONG LIVE LITTLE FEAT!!!

August 13 2010 at 8:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed

Richie will be missed indeed. All my best to Shauna and the family.

August 13 2010 at 7:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D.A.

RIP Richie, God be with you and thanks for sharing your talent with the rest of us. You rocked.

August 13 2010 at 7:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dori

R.I.P., Richie..give your "feat" a rest, lay down your reids & drums. You will be missed by those who knew you, your awesome drumming & the rest of of band.

August 13 2010 at 7:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jeri

MECHELLE YOU ASK "WHY"WE DONT HAVE "IT",CANADA HAS "IT"
FIRST CANADA DONT HAVE OBAMA FOR A PRESIDENT!!! & ARENT YOU GLAD ABOUT THAT?JAROY

August 13 2010 at 7:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply