Coco Robicheaux, New Orleans' own "Legba", "St. John," friend to all, a stranger to a few, took his light into another room in Our Father's Great House of Light on Friday, November 25, 2011 at age 64 years young.

We know that you Rest In Peace, Dear One.

We gave Coco a standing ovation at the end of his funeral service last Saturday, December 3 at D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. 

Attended by luminaries, his wife, Danielle, family members, and friends (and all were indeed his friend!); presided over by Rev. Goat Carson, Grey Hawk and a Christian Preacher, we sent Mr. Robicheaux off in a fanfare of Love.

The service was uplifting and cathartic. We got to pay our respects to him and those closest to him. 

Last night I remembered the last thing Coco said to me, "Give Danielle a call."  That's one of the things the Preacher stated: "we're all here today, but where will we be one year from now?" Make sure and call Dani (as he called her), do some benefits, see if she needs anything.  Do you need anything, My Friend? 

Danielle, I had the good fortune to meet your husband, Coco when I was first playing at Checkpoint Charlie's in the mid-90s. 

I thought he was John Mayall at first and was thrilled for him to be at my show!  Then his friend Jerry (with a big head of curly black hair) sitting at the bar next to him goes, "You don't know who this is?!  This is Coco Robicheaux!"  Coco smiled a crocodile smile of which I would see again.

I would be thrilled in the future for him to be at my show.  And somewhat embarassed when he would relate my stage antics to others: "And then she pulled this big rubber snake out of the front of her guitar player's pants!"

The night of the day I moved here in September 1996 my brother (who drove the truck w/the LipsMobile in tow) and I went to see his show at Margaritaville on Decatur--when they used to have music in the big room.  It was a great show (as usual) and when I told him I'd moved here, he proclaimed, "Good addition" (of me to the town).  

That blessing meant a great deal to me--Thank you, Coco! 

I was to feel it again many times during the coming years.

When we shared conversations, telling me that New Orleans was/is your Spiritual Home (mine, too & Tennessee Williams').

When I'd go around town to see you play--you & Kenny Holliday upstars at the old Dragon's Den (R.I.P. Kenny, too!)--at Checkpoint's, Jazz Fest, the Apple Barrel.

One time you sat in with us at Checkpoint's and you had me and T-Bone go to the 3-and-a-half (!)--that was somethin' else.

The night you got inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame at the Parish was super special.  You had "made it."

I felt like I'd made it when I got invited to your gal's birthday party you threw her in 1998. 

You went all out with lots of wine and food--at the old cigar store (now a stationery store) in the Quarter.  It was my first meeting with her & I had to celebrate completely!!! I remember how proud you were that she was born on the "day the music died" and that she knew all the words to those songs as if she was the reincarnation of the rock'n'roll era that supposedly had passed.

I went all out and got quite inebriated, making out with the fortune teller that had been hired (male).  Got invited to the inner sanctum of your apartment & Danielle, even though it was her birthday didn't get a decent meal out of it--he only thing in the house was a bag of frozen peas!

Had the privilege of hanging out w/your betrothed--she's a doll!  She had "clothes swaps" with the gals & I got one of your shirts--I wore it to Marie's last Saturday night & sat in with that guy who decided to impersonate you.  I guess he likes you a little too much.

We all kind of did, ya know. 

When I finally got my chance to see "Spiritland" your sanctuary space I was truly in awe.  All the candles, statuaries, religious icons & paintings, Native American ceremonial items, all lining this cave-like space outside your balcony door.  A treasure-trove for sure that went down in the fire that you (contrary to what I read on the internet) did not start there, but outside on the balcony where paint cans and turpentine ignited due to the extreme heat. 

I don't blame Dani one bit for going back in (after she got out all the people and dogs) for her gorgeous wedding gown.

I was honored to be one of about a dozen bridesmaids (goddesses, she called us) at your wedding.  What an affair that was!  The last time I saw Ernie K-Doe.  Great everything that night.  Eric's band, The Fessters played.

The last time I saw Coco was Lafayette Square when Rockin' Doopsie, Jr. was playing & Kerry Brown was sitting in w/him (one of your drummers, too). 

Coco, you had been to Burning Man and I had never seen you so at peace or whatever you want to call it--contentment.  Were you happy? 

Now one of my favorite places is even more dear for as anyone who believes in the AfterLife and Coco certainly did (although the AfterLife was more of the PresentLife w/him--Spirits helping out on this side more often than not...) this town will be barren only on the outside. 

We feel your Spirit, Coco, among us, spread out, like an umbrella over our town, protecting, guiding us.  

The Spirit Man in SpiritLand now.

 WE LOVE YOU, SIR!!!!!

 WALK ON IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE. 

Coco Robichoux--2009 as King of Krewe T'Screw--with his wife, Danielle & Yours Truly, his consorts

and as a Rock God c.1999:

Coco & me outside of Checkpoint Charlie's--hysterical!