Coy LeBeau 1970-2011
Posted On:Sadly, so sadly, we received the word that our friend Coy LeBeau has passed away in New Orleans.
Coy, looking impish as only he could, displays his freshly-minted, one-of-a-kind Green Parrot Tradesman’s Card.
It was that kind of look that almost got him burned at the stake in The Bahamas, when, to hear Tom Robinson and Beaver tell the story, his pointy goatee and the the horn-like wisps of hair on his head had agitated locals following him, convinced that Lucifer himself walked the streets of Nassau that night.
Also typical of Coy and his modest nature, he lists his occupation on his card as a cook. Anyone who ever tasted anything he had a hand in, knew what an understatement that was.
I remember that whenever a New Orleans band came through The Parrot Coy made it His Mission to see they got a taste of Crescent City cuisine courtesey of Coy LeBeau. I remember specifically covered dishes going back to Eric Lindell and his whole band, Papa Mali, and Bonerama.
I remember, because I would beg for scraps, fiery scraps I might add.
One day I intercepted some Jambalaya destined for the bandhouse and filched a small portion to bring home. Leaving it on the kitchen counter, my son came home from school and asked what’s on the counter?
Jambalaya, I said try some…
Aaahhhh…it’s hot!!!! But it was so good.
Coy, What a fuckin’ dude!
Coy, on Fat Tuesday outside The Parrot, which was New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, and His Birthday rolled into one for him.
Coy displays a hand-made cape, one of many artifacts he collected from his and his family’s roots in the Zulu Nation, one of the oldest and most respected Krewes in New Orleans
Here’s in a “Magic Moment”from WWOZ archives in New Orleans we hear Coy describe .his meeting with New Orleans legend Irma Thomas.
Coy, on Fat Tuesday outside The Parrot, which was New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, and His Birthday rolled into one for him.
Coy displays a hand-made cape, one of many artifacts he collected from his and his family’s roots in the Zulu Nation, one of the oldest and most respected Krewes in New Orleans
Here’s in a “Magic Moment”from WWOZ archives in New Orleans we hear Coy describe .his meeting with New Orleans legend Irma Thomas.
We will all miss him, he was unique.
