RIP Larry Hoppen 1951 - 2012
Larry Hoppen Photo courtesy of www.orleansonline.com/
A sad day once again in the world of rock, as another name from the classic rock generation passes on.
Orleans singer / songwriter, Larry Hoppen sadly passed away on the evening of Tuesday 24th July, 2012, he was 61 years old.
Still performing in recent years, I caught Larry playing Orleans hits, performing with the 'Voices of Classic Rock' tour, back in 2001, in a lineup that included such names as Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Country Communion), Mike Reno (Loverboy), Pat Travers, Spencer Davis, Bobby Kimball (Toto) and John Cafferty.
Formed in 1972, Orleans released twelve studio albums between 1973 - 2008, although they went on hiatus in 1997, reforming in 2001.
Indeed, 2012 was the 40th year of the bands history.
RIP Larry, thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
The Orleans band newsletter shared this with fans yesterday:
Dear friends
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news of my brother Larry's sudden passing on the afternoon of July 24th, 2012. By now, many of you have already become aware of this fact but, to be sure you are all aware, I am writing to you now.
The official press release is copied below and that's all we have to say about his passing, officially.
On a more personal note, Larry was both my older brother and my partner of the past 40 years in this journey called Orleans. Words cannot express the depths of my sorrow. I know that holds true for Lane, Fly, Charlie, John Hall and all the rest of us who worked with him so closely over time.
Thanks to alll of you who have already been so kind with your well-wishing calls, texts, voice mails and emails. Unfortunately, I cannot answer each one individually, but know that your kindnesses are appreciated.
Please, unless we are already close, I would ask you not to call my personal telephone number at this time.
Obviously, we will not be able to fulfill our commitments for this weekend's shows. We are all in shock here.
On the other hand, with the promoters' permissions, I intend to do the rest of the shows on the books for the remainder of the year. Certainly, Larry is not replaceable but, with the aid of the many fine artists we have worked with, I feel we can somehow satisfy these commitments, with class, in his honor. It is my intention to finish our work, not just default and disappear.
If you would like to help, there are two ways you can tangibly do that:
As indicated below, Larry's paasion was in aiding food banks do their work in local communities. A contribution there would honor his memory.
The suddenness of this event has left me personally in charge of satifying much unfinished business. Some of it is simply unsalvagable and creates significant hardship. If you feel moved to do so, you may make a contribution of any amount to our PayPal account at orleansonline@gmail.com , which I will use best as I can to honor our economic commitments to others. Humbly, I thank you in advance.
At this time, there are no plans yet for funeral or memorial services. Those arrangements are in the hands of his wife, Patti. As that information becomes available, I will pass it on within the context of her wishes.
Please keep our family in your hearts and prayers.
We love you all,
Lance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Obviously, we will not be able to fulfill our commitments for this weekend's shows. We are all in shock here.
On the other hand, with the promoters' permissions, I intend to do the rest of the shows on the books for the remainder of the year. Certainly, Larry is not replaceable but, with the aid of the many fine artists we have worked with, I feel we can somehow satisfy these commitments, with class, in his honor. It is my intention to finish our work, not just default and disappear.
If you would like to help, there are two ways you can tangibly do that:
As indicated below, Larry's paasion was in aiding food banks do their work in local communities. A contribution there would honor his memory.
The suddenness of this event has left me personally in charge of satifying much unfinished business. Some of it is simply unsalvagable and creates significant hardship. If you feel moved to do so, you may make a contribution of any amount to our PayPal account at orleansonline@gmail.com , which I will use best as I can to honor our economic commitments to others. Humbly, I thank you in advance.
At this time, there are no plans yet for funeral or memorial services. Those arrangements are in the hands of his wife, Patti. As that information becomes available, I will pass it on within the context of her wishes.
Please keep our family in your hearts and prayers.
We love you all,
Lance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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 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 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 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 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's 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.
----------------------------------------------------
Lance Hoppen
for the entire Orleans Ground Crew
*********************
Ex-Rainbow/Deep Purple Vocalist Joe Lynn Turner comments on the death
of his former colleague Larry Hoppen of Orleans.
of his former colleague Larry Hoppen of Orleans.
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.
passed away on July 24th, 2012. Born on Long Island, New York, Hoppen
was 61 years old.
Turner, who worked with Hoppen often since 1999 said, "Larry Hoppen
was one of the most talented people I knew. He was an incredible
musician and singer...his voice and songs with Orleans took me through
my younger days with inspiration and joy. Later in life Larry and I
joined forces on many different projects (Voices of Classic
Rock/Rockforever, Orleans and Friends, Rock and Pop
Masters, Spectra All Stars, etc.). I grew to know him personally and
was proud to call him friend. I would like to extend my deepest
sympathy to his family, friends and fans...they are in my thoughts and
prayers at this tragic
time.
Blessings."
was one of the most talented people I knew. He was an incredible
musician and singer...his voice and songs with Orleans took me through
my younger days with inspiration and joy. Later in life Larry and I
joined forces on many different projects (Voices of Classic
Rock/Rockforever, Orleans and Friends, Rock and Pop
Masters, Spectra All Stars, etc.). I grew to know him personally and
was proud to call him friend. I would like to extend my deepest
sympathy to his family, friends and fans...they are in my thoughts and
prayers at this tragic
time.
Blessings."
Joe Lynn Turner
I'm sure they'll be many more tributes to the man.
RIP Larry.
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