Star Singer Leon Redbone Died At Age 63

Star Singer Leon Redbone Died At Age 63

Songwriter, guitarist, and actor, died Thursday in New Hope, according to a press release. Redbone, known for Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley music, had retired in 2015 after health problems. Over his career, he released 16 full-length albums.

Born in Cyprus and once allegedly known as Dickran Gobalian, Redbone moved to Canada in the 60s and by the 70s he was touring Toronto-based venues. At the Mariposa folk festival, Bob Dylan was so impressed with Redbone’s performance that he later mentioned it in a Rolling Stone interview, leading them to profile Redbone before he had a record contract.

Best known for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” and “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” Redbone also provided the voice for Leon the Snowman in the movie “Elf,” and sang “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with Zooey Deschanel during the closing credits.

Redbone also sang the theme song to the television show “Mr. Belvedere,” and appeared in numerous commercials, including those for Budweiser beer and Chevrolet vehicles.

“He departed our world with his guitar, his trusty companion Rover, and a simple tip of his hat,” a post on his site read. “To his fans, friends, and loving family who have already been missing him so in this realm he says, ‘Oh behave yourselves. Thank you … and good evening everybody.’”

He also released 13 studio and five live albums during a songwriting career that dates back to the 1970s. Known for performing material from the Tin Pan Alley days of 1890 through 1910, Redbone performed in a trademark Panama hat and dark glasses.

Redbone is survived by Beryl Handler and daughters Ashley Redbone and Blake Redbone and her children, Devin, Amberley and Holland.