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In memory of ...

Larry Hoppen … 1951-2012 … RIP

   I am so sorry to have to share the news with you of the sudden passing of my brother and partner, Larry, on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 24th.

   The net has been abuzz about it since Wednesday, the 25th. The outpouring of shock, heartache, support, praise and fond memories has been nothing short of overwhelming. He had no idea how much he was and is still loved, and I am feeling very loved as well. 

   In case you have not seen it, below is the message I sent out to our Orleans email list on Wednesday, July 25th, complete with the official press release. Larry is gone, all too soon … and he shall be sorely missed by many. 
 
There is a particularly nice piece written by music blogger Bob Lefsetz  HERE
   Funeral services took place on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 at Bethlehem House of Praise in his home town of Sanford, FL. It was an event full of sorrow and joy, conducted by Pastor Darren Jones and cantor Beth Schafer.
 
   As the press release states, “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.” 
 
   With deep appreciation,
          Lance Hoppen 
 

This audio tribute is courtesy of the syndicated radio show 
Classic Artists Today


Sent July 25th, 2012
 
     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 all 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 this, our 40th 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, you can tangibly do that. As indicated below, Larry’s passion was in aiding food banks do their work in local communities. A contribution there would honor his memory.
 
     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 (then-future, now-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 3 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, and, most recently, “One of the Lucky Ones.”
 
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 brothers, 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 and all inquires should be directed to George T. Gilbert, Esq. (212-677-2001 ) (musicesq@gmail.com) and Lance Hoppen (orleansworld@yahoo.com).

LIVE and STREAMING
from
Mercy Lounge
One Cannery Row
Nashville TN
Sunday, November 11th
7:30 PM (US Central Time)

Dear friends,

Most of you are already aware of the sudden passing of my brother and partner, Larry Hoppen, on July 24th. In the wake of this tragedy, Orleans (Fly Amero, Lane Hoppen, Charlie Morgan, returning co-founder John Hall and myself) made a commitment to finish 2012’s calendar of live shows. That calendar draws to a close with this very special event.

The official press release is repeated in full below, so I won’t go into redundant detail here. But I will say that I am thrilled that we’ll get to play MY town as the closer of this “tour” … and that I’m SO excited and grateful that this stellar cast of performers has consented to help us raise money for Larry’s family.

Won’t you please help us spread the word far and wide? For those who cannot attend the show in person, they can still see it in its entirety anywhere in the world via live online streaming over www.StageIt.com. Now THAT is very cool!

StageIt is very user-friendly. All you need to do is register for a FREE account there prior to show time. Then, view the show as it happens LIVE at

http://www.stageit.com/orleans_friends/orleans_friends_mercy_lounge_nashville_tn/15184

(ticket price is “Pay what you can” with a suggested donation of $20)

To also see Boy Wonder Blues Band’s opening show on Sunday at 7:30 US Central Time, CLICK HERE

Hope to “see” you there.

Gratefully,

Lance Hoppen (for all of Orleans & Friends)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Tennessee-Based Musicians Join Orleans
to Honor Late Co-Founder in Benefit Concert
 

(Nashville, TN) The pop/rock band Orleans, best known for its 70s classics “Still the One,” “Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time,” suffered tragedy earlier this year. Lead singer and co-founder, Larry Hoppen, passed away suddenly on July 24. Larry was well loved and highly respected as a great musician, player, singer, songwriter, brother, father and friend. He was also a great humanitarian activist with a big heart.

In Larry’s honor, there will be a special “Orleans & Friends” show Sunday, November 11, at the Mercy Lounge, One Cannery Row, Nashville, Tennessee. Showtime is 7:30 PM. $20 minimum donation. Tickets sold online and at the door. Many local and regional artists, who are also longtime friends of Orleans, will join them on stage. Artists scheduled to appear include Jimi Jamison, John Ford Coley, Henry Paul (Blackhawk), Jonell Mosser, Kathie Baillie & Michael Bonagura (Baillie & the Boys), Bill Lloyd (Foster & Lloyd), Alyssa Bonagura and Pete Huttlinger. The Boy Wonder Blues Band will open.

All performers are donating their time and talent. All net proceeds will benefit the Hoppen family, especially Larry’s teenage daughters, Maeve and Claire. Additional donations welcome. Checks can be made out to Hoppen Family Benefit Fund.
 
Orleans, now in its 40th year, was scheduled to appear on the Fox & Friends Summer Concert TV Series just a few days after Hoppen’s death. They also had previously scheduled a string of summer and fall shows. While there was no way to salvage the Fox TV appearance, brother and co-founder Lance Hoppen vowed to finish their calendar of 2012 concert dates in Larry’s honor. To accomplish this, Orleans’ mainstays Lance and Lane Hoppen, Dennis “Fly” Amero and Charlie Morgan welcomed returning co-founder, John Hall, who had taken leave to serve as a US Congressman (2007-2010, D-NY 19), for several well-received shows this past August, September and October. The calendar of live shows concludes with this benefit concert in Nashville on November 11.
 

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