David “Fathead” Newman passes
Posted on | January 21, 2009 | No Comments
by Cory Weeds
It is with great sadness that I let you all know that David ‘Fathead’ Newman succumbed to pancreatic cancer yesterday. He was diagnosed last year and has been battling hard ever since. Born in Texas in 1933, he would have been 76 on February 24.
Over the 8 years I have had the Cellar I had the opportunity to become good friends with both David and his wife Karen. They made 5 stops at The Cellar including the recording of a fantastic album with THE TILDEN WEBB TRIO: CELLAR GROOVE. Both David and Karen were two of the most gracious people I have ever met and to be able to get to know them and to hang out with them is something I will cherish forever.
David Newman had one of the sweetest tenor saxophone sounds on the planet and when he graced the stage at The Cellar it made me very happy. We shared many laughs over dinner and breakfasts over the years during his visits here and he was always open to talking about his illustrious career including his trials and tribulations during his long tenure with Ray Charles and his orchestra. He was a great story teller with and without his saxophone.
We will miss you David, may your beautiful soul rest in peace.
Below is a quote from David’s wife Karen Newman
“No surprise for us Newmans. We have been dying for some time now. David had pancreatic cancer for the past year and he was blessed to have not suffered that greatly.”
Cards can be sent to:
c/o Head Music
112 Tanglewood Road
West Hurley,
NY 12491
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