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Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., known around the world as Dr. John, died Thursday of a heart attack after years of deteriorating health, confirmed a family member.
He was 77 years old.
Rebennack best embodies the musical culture of New Orleans – from his gritty roar and quiet phrasing to his Big Easy hybrid piano – but some might be surprised at the extent of Dr. John's influence over pop culture.
Here are five examples you may or may not know:
Princess and the frog and other movies
The best-known example of Rebennack's pop culture is his contribution to Disney's animated film "The Princess and the Frog", which founds her character Tiana on another New Orleans legend – the leader and beloved restaurateur Leah Chase.
Rebennack contributed the original song "Down in New Orleans", which is played during the opening sequence of the film.
Can not see the video below? Click here.
That's not all for Rebennack who is known in the film world, though. He once again collaborated with Disney in 2016, bringing a twist to New Orleans to the clbadic song "The Bare Necessities" for the live action version of "The Jungle Book".
He also made an appearance in the 1998 movie "Blues Brothers 2000" as part of the Louisiana Gator Boys.
Treme, NCIS: New Orleans and … Blossom?
Rebennack has also appeared many times on the small screen.
You may remember it more for its turn in the HBO series "Treme," a drama series dedicated to New Orleansers trying to rebuild their lives in the months following Hurricane Katrina.
Or maybe you've seen his performance in the first season of NCIS: CBS New Orleans, playing "Right Place, Wrong Time".
But if you grew up in the 90s, you may remember Dr. John from another popular TV show. This is because he wrote and interpreted the theme "My Opinion" for the famous NBC sitcom "Blossom".
If you're a parent, you've probably heard Dr. John's voice several times before your kids watch the latest episode of PBS's "Curious George" cartoon series. The Rebennack theme song has been used in the series since 2006.
Can not see the video below? Click here.
He is responsible for the famous Popeyes jingle
The famous "Love That Chicken" jingle used in Popeyes radio and TV commercials? It's one of the many songs that Rebennack has written and performed.
Although the jingle has changed considerably since this advertisement that appeared in the 1980s, Rebennack's slogan "Love this Popeyes Chicken" is still used today in commercials of the fast food chain.
Can not see the video below? Click here.
Dr. Teeth, one of Jim Henson's Muppets, is based on him
Chief at the deep voice and keyboard of a group who is also a "doctor?"
This is not a coincidence – Jim Henson used Rebennack as the basis of his jive and talkative language character, Dr. Teeth, and even interpreted it originally.
You can not see the tweet below? Click here.
Dr. John has been the inspiration of a well-known fictional doctor … pic.twitter.com/oQ82qp6FqL
– Official James Karst (@jameskarst) June 6, 2019
His 1974 album is the inspiration of a great music festival
Dr. John may be synonymous with the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but there is a music festival in the United States that was directly inspired by Rebennack.
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which takes place annually in Manchester, Tennessee, since 2002, takes its name from the 1974 Rebennack's "Desitively Bonnaroo" album, which contains the hit "Rite Away" and " Let's make a better world. "
Rebennack was a featured artist in the festival's 10th anniversary edition in 2011, performing "Desitively Bonnaroo" in its entirety, supported by The Meters group, recently reunited, according to nola.com.
The music festival made reference to its original name after the announcement of Rebennack's death Thursday via Twitter.
"The news of the Bonnaroo family is sad: Dr. John, who launched the album, Desitively Bonnaroo, inspired the name of this place, died," festival officials said in a statement. "We will miss you a lot."
You can not see the tweet below? Click here.
Sad news for the Bonnaroo family: Dr. John, who has the deceased album, inspired by the name Bonnaroo, is dead. We will miss you cruelly: //t.co/UXH5lQTuYR
– Bonnaroo (@Bonnaroo) June 6, 2019
This year's festival will take place from June 13th to 16th.
The death of the New Orleans musician, Dr. John, was instantly marked by memories of past concerts and by those who knew him …
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