We are very sad to announce that legendary Larry Hoppen (from the band Orleans) has just passed away. For those like us who had had the chance to communicate with Larry for so many years, to do 3 interviews with him, to discuss with him a lot, we can tell how he was not only an amazing artist but also a great person. RIP and condolences for the family.
Here are some of the latest pics we have taken of Larry Hoppen during Orleans concert in Amsterdam, October 26, 2011. Pics taken by J.-L. Raymond.
Here is the official message from Lance Hoppen (member of Orleans and brother of Larry Hoppen):
"Larry Hoppen, one of the founding members of the band Orleans, passed away on July 24th, 2012. Born on Long Island, New York, Hoppen was 61 years old.
Between 1969 and 1971, his Ithaca, NY- based band, Boffalongo, made two LPs for United Artists. The second included the original recording of "Dancin' in the Moonlight", later a hit by friends King Harvest. Soon after Boffalongo disbanded in late 1971, Larry got a call from (former US Congressman, D-NY, 19) John Hall, inviting him to come to Woodstock, NY to join with the late Wells Kelly and John to form Orleans which he did in early 1972. Larry's younger brother, Lance, joined the band the following fall. Tens of millions know Larry's uplifting tenor from the Orleans hits "Still the One", "Dance With Me" and "Love Takes Time".
Larry Hoppen also performed and/or recorded with Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Livingston Taylor, Lulu, Graham Parker, Blues Traveler, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Michael Franks, Levon Helm, the late great Michael Brecker, the late great Chet Atkins, the late great Artie Traum, John Sebastian, Bela Fleck, Felix Cavaliere, Edgar Winter, Robbie Dupree, Spencer Davis, Rick Derringer, Mark Farner, John Ford Coley, Jimi Jamison, John Cafferty and many more notable artists.
Larry Hoppen released 2 solo albums: "HandMade" and "Looking for the Light", the latter being a flagship fundraising vehicle for his 501(c)3 nonprofit Sunshine for HIV Kids.
Larry Hoppen was still touring with Orleans, including brother Lance and youngest brother Lane, and was scheduled to appear on Fox TV's nationwide "Fox & Friends' All-American Concert Series" show this coming Friday, July 27th.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith Hoppen and his daughters, Claire and Maeve, as well as his bothers, Lance and Lane and his sister, Lynda.
The Family asks that since Larry passion was feeding hungry people, his friends and fans can honor his memory by making a contribution to their local food bank in his name.
Patricia Smith Hoppen and her daughters ask the media to please respect their privacy at this difficult time."
In 1995, Kurt formed Burnin' Daylight with Sonny LeMaire, formerly a member of 1980s country pop band Exile and songwriter Marc Beeson, who had previously charted a solo single on BNA Records in the early 1990s. At first, Burnin' Daylight was intended to be only a live band; however, the group sent a tape to Mike Curb, head of the Curb Records label, who signed the group in 1997. In April of that year, Burnin' Daylight released its eponymous debut album. They charted three singles on the U.S. Billboard country music charts, including a Top 40 hit in "Say Yes".
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