August 17, 2016
New Orleans said goodbye to its clarinet legend, Pete Fountain this week. Marching with the group he founded, "The Half-Fast Walking Club", he and his sidemen played music and paraded for miles to - and through the French Quarter every year at Mardi Gras. He died Saturday August 6th in his hometown.
The theme for his 1965 walking parade was "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves" as shown at his costume fitting. The thieves and sidemen, usually included prominent locals and Hollywood celebrities as guest walkers. Phil Harris was among the marching guests that year.
During this parade, his toupe flew off, and he never wore one again. The last time I said hello to Pete was at the memorial farewell for our friend Johnny Donnels, the French Quarter starving artist. Pete left early.