Photo by Dino Perrucci

Noted New Orleans singer/guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington has died after battling cancer for several years. He was 79.

Born in New Orleans in 1943, Washington grew up singing in his church choir before turning his attention to the guitar. Working construction to pay the bills at first, he backed a number of notable players early on in his career, including Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, David Lastie Sr. and Johnny Adams, with whom he toured for almost 20 years.

“That period in my life was definitely a thrill for me,” Washington told Relix of his time with Dorsey in 2018. “I had my first professional gig at [Harlem’s] Apollo Theater. I was playing little local clubs, making like 10 dollars for a gig, so when my mama told me I was able to go to New York, I said, ‘Oh, man, this is gonna be something else!’ We just took over the hotel we were staying at; it was my first time in New York, so I wasn’t going to sleep!”

According to NOLA.com, “he reportedly earned his ‘Wolfman’ nickname as a young guitarist prone to challenging other guitarists, a practice known as ‘wolfing.'”

He formed his long-running band The Roadmasters in the mid 1970s; drummer Wilbert “Junkyard Dog” Arnold, bassist Jack Cruz and saxophonist Tom Fitzpatrick served as his classic lineup. The guitarist/singer released his debut LP, Rainin’ In My Life in 1981, before moving to Rounder. He had a regular gig at the The Maple Leaf with organist Joe Krown and drummer Russell Batiste, Jr., who has played with the funky Meters since the late 1980s, for many years.

In recent decades, Washington has balanced his local gigs with roadwork and festival engagements, becoming an elder-statesman ambassador of his blend of New Orleans funk, soul, blues and R&B. He also hosted a residency at d.b.a’s.

His most recent record, My Future Is My Past, was released on Anti- and produced by Galactic’s Ben Ellman. Galactic drummer Stanton Moore, bassist James Singleton and keyboardist David Torkanowsky served as the record’s backing band and Jon Cleary served as a special guest.

NOLA.com reports that a benefit to help with Washington’s funeral expenses is set for January 8 at New Orleans’ Tipitina’s, a venue owned by the members of Galactic.

“I came to New Orleans in ‘89, from California, and I saw Walter play at the Maple Leaf [club], where he was playing every Saturday with a full band with a horn section,” Ellman told Relix. “I was just totally floored,” he says. “I thought, ‘I can’t believe that this exists in the world.’ New Orleans knew, but the world didn’t know. He’s always been a dude around New Orleans who’s had an amazing band. He’s been a working musician constantly. He’s really a New Orleans treasure.”

Washington last performed live in September. He turned 79 on December 20.