NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint has died at the age of 77.
Toussaint’s family confirmed to WGNO, the musician was on tour in Madrid, Spain and suffered a heart attack shortly after his performance.
Toussaint was rushed to a hospital, where he passed away.
Born in New Orleans, Toussaint was as famous for his own music as he was for the sounds of so many others.
Toussaint wrote lyrics, composed and produced dozens of hits, including Working in the Coal Mine, Ride Your Pony, Fortune Teller, Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues), Southern Nights, Everything I do Gonna be Funky, I’ll Take a Melody, Get Out of my Life, Woman and Mother-in-Law.
He was nominated for more than 30 Grammy Awards over the span of his career but never won for his own performances.
Below is a statement from Mayor Mitch Landrieu:
“I am heartbroken by the passing of jazz icon Allen Toussaint while he was on tour in Europe. Last year, Allen was honored with a NOLA Legends Award for his part in creating the history and shaping the future of New Orleans. He was an inspiring, prolific songwriter and performer whose unmistakable sound has forever defined our city’s unique cultural heritage. Born and raised in the Gert Town neighborhood, Allen went on to travel the world and perform with many of today’s great musicians, but he always remembered his roots. He was a true ambassador of our city who carried our spirit everywhere he went. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time of grief.”
Below is a statement from former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial:
“Allen Toussaint was a pioneer and a visionary. He was a musical ambassador, largely responsible for infusing pop music around the world with a particular New Orleans flair.
“A true son of New Orleans, his spirit will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to his children and grandchildren and all who have been blessed to know and work with him.”
NEW ORLEANS - MAY 6: Allen Toussaint performs at the New Orleans Jazz and heritage Festival on May 6, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 27: Musician Allen Toussaint performs during day three of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 27, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 03: Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint attend The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: A Celebration of Mac & His Music at the Saenger Theatre on May 3, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Blackbird Productions) 
US President Barack Obama greets 2012 National Medal of Arts recipient muscian Allen Toussaint as he arrives on stage during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on July 10, 2013 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 25: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Musicians Allen Toussaint, Cyril Neville and Dr. John backstage at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 25, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS - MAY 03: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS) Singer/Songwriter Allen Toussaint with his Bentley backstage at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 3, 2009 in New Orleans. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 29: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** New Orleans Jazz Festival Producer Quint Davis with Recording Artists Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint and Steve Martin backstage at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 4 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 30: Recording Artist Allen Toussaint performs at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented By Shell - Day 5 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 30, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
GULF SHORES, AL - JULY 11: Musician Allen Toussaint performs onstage at Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live from the Gulf Coast, a concert presented by CMT at on the beach on July 11, 2010 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 30: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Singers & Sonwriters Allen Toussaint, Jon Bon Jovi and Irma Thomas backstage during the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell at The Fair Grounds Race Course on April 30, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 30: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Musician Allen Toussaint backstage during the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 2 presented by Shell at The Fair Grounds Race Course on April 30, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 07: Phillip R. Graham BMI Senior VP Writer Publisher Relations and Singer/Songwriter Allen Toussaint during the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 presented by Shell at The Fair Grounds Race Course on May 7, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Inductee Allen Toussaint pses with award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Annual Induction and Awards at The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel - Shubert Alley on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame) 
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Inductee Allen Tousaint speaks onstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Annual Induction and Awards at The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel - Shubert Alley on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame) 
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Allen Tousaint performs onstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Annual Induction and Awards at The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel - Shubert Alley on June 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 05: Allen Toussaint performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 5, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 05: Allen Toussaint performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 5, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 06: Recording Artists Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint backstage during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Day 7 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Allen Toussaint performs on stage at Bluesfest 2013 - Day 4 on March 31, 2013 in Byron Bay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 27: Allen Toussaints performs during the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Music Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) 
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 03: Allen Toussaint performs during The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: A Celebration of Mac & His Music at the Saenger Theatre on May 3, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images for Blackbird Productions)
