Barrere in 2012, Photo by Jaime Butler
Little Feat guitarist and vocalist Paul Barrere has died.
News broke of his passing on the evening of Oct. 26, with a band statement that described his “abiding love for a life always dedicated to the muse and the music.“
Barrere was officially inducted into Little Feat during the recording of 1973’s Dixie Chicken release. He co-wrote a batch of beloved Little Feat tunes (such as “Skin It Back,” “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” and “Time Loves A Hero”) and even toured in the early incarnations of Phil Lesh & Friends.
Through the years, Barrere also performed as a duo with Little Feat bandmate Fred Tackett, and also maintained a band called Better Daze with musician Roger Cole.
In 1994, Barrere was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, which eventually led to an ongoing battle with Liver Disease.
Earlier this month, Barrere announced he was taking a medical leave of absence, but planned to be back on stage this upcoming January for the band’s headlining performance at Jamaica’s Ramble on the Island.
As Little Feat celebrated their 50th year, Barrere wrote that the celebratory tour was “a musical dream come true and none of it would have been possible if not for the enduring support of all of you, the Feat Fans!”
Read Little Feat’s full statement on Barrere’s passing below:
It is with great sorrow that Little Feat must announce the passing of our brother guitarist, Paul Barrere, this morning at UCLA Hospital. We ask for your kindest thoughts and best wishes to go out especially to his widow Pam and children Gabriel, Genevieve, and Gillian, and to all the fans who were his extended family.
Paul auditioned for Little Feat as a bassist when it was first being put together—in his words, “as a bassist I make an excellent guitarist”—and three years later joined the band in his proper role on guitar. Forty-seven years later, he was forced to miss the current tour, which will end tomorrow, due to side effects from his ongoing treatment for liver disease.
He promised to follow his doctor’s orders, get back in shape, and rock on the beach at the band’s annual gathering in Jamaica in January 2020. “Until then,” he wrote, “keep your sailin’ shoes close by…if I have my way, you’re going to need them!”
As the song he sang so many times put it, he was always “Willin’,” but it was not meant to be. Paul, sail on to the next place in your journey with our abiding love for a life always dedicated to the muse and the music. We are grateful for the time we have shared.
Yours in music,
Little Feat: Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Fred Tackett, Kenny Gradney, and Gabe Ford.
25 Comments comments associated with this post
Feats don't fail me now/Black Peter
October 28, 2019 at 4:56 pmFeats don’t fail me now.
Little Feat opened for the Dead @Oxford ME. 1988. I was heading there from Jersey on a whim. They came out and did a sound check of “Oh Atlanta and ripped it.” the crowd(mostly Deadheads)were bummed but Paul told them to calm down and they would be out again to perform the whole show 🙂 Note: I met my beautiful wife there & then and have been together ever since. Thank You!! God Speed old friend.
Feats don't fail me now/Black Peter
October 28, 2019 at 4:52 pmFeats don’t fail me now.
Little Feat opened fo rhte Dead @Oxford ME.
I was heading there from Jersey on a whim. They came out and did a sound check of “Oh Atlanta and ripped it.” the crowd(mostly Deadheads)were bummed but Paul told them to calm down and they would be out again to perform the whole show 🙂 God Speed old friend.
Mel L
October 28, 2019 at 12:27 amI was introduced to the band many,manys years ago and I still love to revisit their albums often. Very sorry for your loss Pam but he will live on forever in our memories an in the music. R.I.P Paul
Feat Fan Forever
October 27, 2019 at 11:03 pmSo sad, but I guess it was Paul’s time. Saw him 2 summers ago performing as an accoustic duo with Fred Tackett, and I’m glad I did. Feat remains one of the best and most underrated R&R bands ever. Paul’s music was magic and we’ll miss him dearly. Sailin’ on, but not forgotten. RIP.
Mike L
October 27, 2019 at 7:25 pmSo thankful I got to see him and Feat two Summer’s ago at Peach fest. For me and so many others they were the highlight of the festival! And I’m especially thankful that I chose to see Dead Feat in Nola with Anders during this last jazzfest. That was also a highlight of my 9 days in Nola. Paul’s songs And guitar playing/singing will live on forever in the hearts and minds of everyone who loves Little Feat!! I do hope Little Feat keep playing cause their music means so much to so many people. I heard Scott Sharrard is sitting in for Paul .. and I don’t think you could ask for anyone better to fill those sailin shoes! RIP Paul ..you certainly earned it! 😥🎸❤️🎵🎶✌️🙏
deadman
October 27, 2019 at 4:04 pmOne of Rock and Roll’s good guys. Talented, humble and very accessible. RIP Paul.
deadman
October 27, 2019 at 4:01 pmOne of Rock and Roll’s good guys. Talented, humble and very accessible. Very sad, RIP Paul.
Rick Wagenknecht
October 27, 2019 at 2:50 pmWish you all that have shared your love for music. The best in these times. Paul will be missed. My wife and I have been lucky to see the band as many times. That they were in the midwest. Be strong. Paul will be there every time you step on stage. FEAT keep rolling on.
I’m sure that is what Paul would want
Curt Lint
October 27, 2019 at 1:22 pmGod speed, Paul. Bless your little family… I am proud to have been your “Father-in-outlaw”.!
Laura Carnal
October 27, 2019 at 12:52 pmSympathy , love, and light to the family! He was so loved and will be missed forever! R.I.P.
Craig Wiesand
October 27, 2019 at 11:45 amAnother one that I thought would live forever just because he was such a musical giant, RIP
Dave A
October 27, 2019 at 12:38 pmWell said. RIP Paul
steersbylitning
October 27, 2019 at 11:22 amThis makes me cry. So much joy in his performances over the years. Sail on, dear Paul.
LetsGoCaps
October 27, 2019 at 9:48 amBarrere is the most underrated guitarist ever. RIP.
Lance Doc Michaelis
October 27, 2019 at 8:08 amThanks Paul for the enduring expression of your soul along with the important sharing of sentiments with your bandmates. You all have been a blessing and an inspiration for all these wonderful years. I traveled to, and still have my Tucumcari t-shirt thanks to your story, which now too is a part of mine. RIP brother. Doc
Give me an F
October 27, 2019 at 7:39 amGlad I got the chance to catch them one more time earlier this year. RIP.
Pete Papageorge
October 27, 2019 at 7:37 amThank you to a key member of one of my all-time favorite groups.
Rick
October 27, 2019 at 7:29 amRIP Paul. You were and will always be a true gentleman. Let it Roll brother Paul!
Teri Lee
October 27, 2019 at 3:11 amMy love to the family/band. Breaks my heart. He gave us so much love, and I’m forever grateful. Followed you guys since DC when Bonnie did backup. No words really help, but know you have so much love from all of us <3. He'll live on, for sure <3 And the Better Daze CD is awesome!
Jennifer Braud
October 27, 2019 at 2:03 amHope your next journey is as magical as this one was. Happy Trails.
Sista Rae
October 27, 2019 at 7:43 amThank you for the magic
R I P
RichHeart
October 27, 2019 at 1:35 amWas listening to live recordings of LF on https://archive.org/ for hours last night. Coincidence? I have my doubts.
Thank you Paul, RiP
Robert
October 27, 2019 at 1:24 amRIP
HSM
October 27, 2019 at 12:34 amVery sad. RIP.
Dana
October 28, 2019 at 12:43 amRemembering all the fun we had growing up! Love to you, and your family. You will be sailin with your brother laughing in the wind