Rest in Peace, Paul Barrere of Little Feat: 1948 – 2019

Over the weekend, sad news came across that Paul Barrere, longtime guitarist and vocalist of Little Feat, had passed away at the age of  71.

The band’s statement provided details that Barrere died at UCLA hospital. He’d been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2015.

The full statement:

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

Barrere joined Little Feat in 1973, and his first record with the band was that year’s Dixie Chicken LP.

In addition to his work with Little Feat, Barrere performed and recorded with a number of iconic acts including Carly Simon, Jack Bruce, Taj Mahal and many more.

News of his death hit the music community hard, as heartfelt remembrances poured out on social media after word spread.

(1/2) Oh my God. I just heard about the passing of another dear friend, Little Feat's Paul Barrere. A brilliant guitarist, singer and songwriter—a cornerstone of one of the greatest bands of all time. #PaulBarrere pic.twitter.com/vS4rqXhD4J

— Bonnie Raitt (@TheBonnieRaitt) October 27, 2019

Paul, we’ll miss you. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Paul Barrere. @littlefeat pic.twitter.com/9eClBcse5W

— Thorogood&Destroyers (@thorogoodmusic) October 27, 2019

RIP Paul. Fronted by the late, iconic Lowell George, the band was crazily underrated.Their late Drummer, snd pal, Richie Hayward helped me get sober with the help of the late CSN&Y drummer Dallas Taylor, Wings Drummer Denny Seiwell and Ringo Starr. https://t.co/miKIaOwftE

— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) October 27, 2019

Rest in peace, Paul Barrere.