Passings: Larry Hoppen, Founder of Orleans

Larry Hoppen, founding member of '70's pop-rock band Orleans, died Tuesday (July 24), at 61. The singer and guitarist's death was announced earlier today by his wife, Patricia Hoppen, though the cause of death is still be investigated."For those who don't already know, Larry passed away yesterday ... those of you do know me, you can message me," his wife wrote. "For his fans, I am deeply sorry for YOUR loss. I know he will be missed. I will (ask) that my family's privacy be respected during this horrible time."

Orleans was founded in Woodstock, NY, in 1972, and released their best-known album, Waking and Dreaming, in 1976, which featured their Billboard charting hits "Still the One," "Forever" and "Love Takes Time."

"Words cannot express the depths of my sorrow," said Hoppen's brother and Orleans bandmate, Lance Hoppen, in a statement. Orleans was celebrating their 40th year as a band, and had been scheduled to perform Friday morning (July 27) on the "Fox & Friends" television show, with several live dates lined up over the weekend. In addition to his wife, Patricia, Hoppen is survived by his daughters, Claire and Maeve, brothers Lance and Lane, and sister Lynda. (Via Spiiner.com)

I saw them open for Chicago in the 70's, and met them backstage. They were wonderful to me, and this makes me sad.

      

My Amazon Reviews: Orleans "Dance With Me: The Best of Orleans"

Still Dancing.
3 Out Of 5 Stars

For a band that had exactly three top 40 singles, this Orleans best of is super comprehensive. The band spent time on three labels, ABC, Asylum and Infinity, all represented here. John Hall was the front-man for most of the period, but the band had a last hit without him called "Love Takes Time." Orleans still tours as a trio, with brothers Lance and Larry Hoppen and Hall performing as a trio. They're also still recording albums.

But their heyday was with Asylum, with the albums "Waking and Dreaming" and "Let There Be Music." The first song here, "Half Moon," was initially recorded by Janis Joplin, and the band sounds like a version of The Doobie Brothers. However, once the mellowed down the sound a bit, "Dance With Me" shot into the top ten. John Hall and his wife Johanna had a serious songwriter's groove, writing 13 of the 20 songs on the disc, and they all roll in that mellow California sounds that was popular for the time. Then the duo hit the geyser when "Still the One" hit number 5, got adopted as the ABC network's theme song, and for countless weddings everywhere.

John, however, was becoming more politically active and left the group soon after. None of his solo material is here, but the song "Cold Spell" is an indicator of where he's eventually go (and why he eventually ran for NY Federal Office). Members Wells Kelly, Lance and Larry (along with keyboardist Bob Leinbach, kept the harmonies intact and still managed to hit #11 with "Love Takes Time." Another ballad from that album, "Forever," is included here. The sound of the band fit pretty closely to the sound of the singles, which means the other seventeen songs are all cut from the same cloth. None have the fizz that "Still The One" still has, but if this was the sound of the seventies for you, you'll dig it.