Luther Kent obit

Louisiana blues singer Luther Kent dies at 76

 

He was not on the list.

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Community members and music lovers are mourning the loss of a Louisiana blues legend.

Louisiana Jukebox Café announced on Friday, Aug. 16 that Kent Rowell, better known as Luther Kent, passed away at the age of 76.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to wife of more than 60 years, Joan, who along with Luther suffered through huge tragedy just a few years ago with the death of his only child, daughter Laurie,” wrote the Louisiana Jukebox Café on Facebook.

The New Orleans born singer spent much of his life post teenage years in Baton Rouge. He began singing professionally when he was 14 and signed with the Louisiana based Montel Records, according to his website.

Kent gained a large following performing at dance halls and festivals in south Louisiana, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

In addition to his lengthy music career, Kent had a two-hour radio show on WBRH where he volunteered on the weekends.

According WBRH’s program director Rob Payer, Kent hosted a show called “Luther’s House Party” from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays since 2014. He also helped out with fundraisers for the radio station going back to the 1990s.

“He’s been a part of our WBRH family for decades, and he’s certainly going to be missed,” Payer said.

The radio station will continue to honor his memory by playing his music and continuing to run episodes of his show on Saturdays, according to Payer.

Kent was among the musicians who performed for the Louisiana Rising Concert that raised money for flood victims after the 2016 flood.