The music industry and the world lost a very talented man Friday, July 26, 2013. According to his official website, JJ Cale passed away at 8:00 p.m. at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California after suffering from a heart attack. He was 74-years-old.
“JJ Cale was loved by fans worldwide for his completely unpretentious and beautiful music,” said Mike Kappus, president of the Rosebud Agency. “He was loved even more dearly by all those he came in contact with as the most real and down-to-earth person we all knew. He was incredibly humble and avoided the spotlight at all costs but will be missed by anyone touched by him directly or indirectly. Luckily, his music lives on.”
We lost another class act… Thanks JJ Cale. #jjcale #aftermidnight http://t.co/0zMCyPgmUq
— Crooked Saint (@crookedsaint) July 28, 2013
Although most people may not know his name, many consider singer/songwriter, JJ Cale, a legend. His songs “Cocaine” and “After Midnight” were made famous by Eric Clapton. Lynyrd Skynyrd made Cale’s song “Call Me The Breeze” famous, and bands including Santana, The Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash, and many others covered his songs. When asked if it bothered him that many of his fans didn’t know his name, he replied, “No, it doesn’t bother me. What’s really nice is when you get a check in the mail.”
Cale is credited with helping create what is now known as the Tulsa Sound, “a laid-back style that contrasted with the psychedelic rock that was heard at the time”. “I’m so old, I can remember before rock ‘n’ roll come along,” Cale told CNN in 2009. “When I was a young fellow, I played guitar for other people, so I’d have to learn (cover tunes). … So the guitar players on all those early recordings, I guess, influenced what I did. I never could get it exactly right the way they played it, and I guess that helped the style that evolved.”
Cale’s official biography describes music as being part of his life for as long as he can remember. When his latest studio album was released, 2009’s Roll on, Cale said, “I remember when I made my first album, I was 32 or 33-years-old and I thought I was way too old then. When I see myself doing this at 70, I go, ‘What am I doing, I should be layin’ down in a hammock,'” he joked.
Singer songwriter JJ Cale died Friday @ the age of 74. If u r looking 4 some good, raw, bluesy classic rock, check him out.
— Jason Curry (@mhsjcurry) July 28, 2013
His management company has said, “donations are not needed but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, donations can be made to your favorite local animal shelter.”