80s Music Central News

Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward, 64, lost his battle with liver cancer, dying from complications on Aug. 12th. He had been diagnosed with the disease about a year ago with Gabe Ford filling in for the band in his absence. Hayward had been with Little Feat since 1969 and released many albums (including 1988's Let It Roll.) He was also a a much in-demand studio musician that worked on albums with Kim Carnes, Nils Lofgren, The Honeydrippers, Robert Plant, Tom Waits and Warren Zevon. Hayward lived in Canada, although native to the U.S., but did not have health insurance. A benefit concert was organized, a benefit recording was created and a website was set up to allow fans to attend the show as well as donate towards his treatment costs.