Art Neville, a founding member of the legendary Neville Brothers and a 2018 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his work with the Meters, has announced his retirement. The New Orleans icon turned 81 earlier this week (Dec. 17).
In a release announcing his retirement, Neville thanked “the fans for all the wonderful years of support and for letting us share our music with the world."
Nicknamed “Poppa Funk,” Neville also co-founded a third seminal band during his 65-year career: the funky Meters. He had continued to tour until late last year with the Meters celebrating 50 years and funky METERS, the latter Neville's 24-year collaboration with his musical partner of the last 50 years -- original Meters bassist George Porter Jr. -- and Neville Brothers’ guitarist Brian Stoltz. The band, with Neville’s nephew Ivan Neville, filling in on keyboards this year in his absence, will hopefully celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2019.