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Tony Joe White performing at the 2018 Americana Music Festival. Photo by Cary Baker

10/25/2018

Tony Joe White has passed away

By SCOTT CUNNINGHAM // Beloved songwriter penned classics Polk Salad Annie and Rainy Night In Georgia

Legendary songrwriter Tony Joe White has passed away at the age of 75. Among his many, many compositions, two stand out: Polk Salad Annie (Elvis Presley) and Rainy Night In Georgia (Brook Benton).

White popularized the swamp rock sound, fusing elements of country, R&B, rock, and blues into an imminently catchy and danceable genre. In addition to Presely and Benton, artists as varied as Tina Turner and Waylon Jennings recorded songs penned by White.

In September, White released his latest album, titled "Bad Mouthin" and was among the standout artists at this year's Americana Music Festival in Nashville last month.

“If there’s anything like a line connecting everything that I’ve done, I would say it’s realness,” White said in a press release accompanying the album. “Even my songs that are sweet little love ballads —those are all real, inspired by real love and real life. Being real, being focused on what’s really going on around you, is something I learned early in my life.”

White's influence and popularity among musicians is far-reaching and many of them have taken to Twitter this afternoon to pay tribute to an icon who was real in every sense of the word.

We are with broken hearts to announce that Tony Joe White has passed away at the age of 75. A true legend that will always be remembered as a real artist.

— Tony Joe White (@tonyjoewhite) October 25, 2018

Not only was Tony Joe White an Amazing talent, but an even better Friend!
Say hi to Duck for me TJ!
Crop!

— Steve Cropper (@OfficialCropper) October 25, 2018

Tony Joe White has passed away. This is such sad news to me. He was my dad’s best friend in Nashville. As a kid, my mom and dad would take me over to their house for dinner or for our parents to watch a game on TV. His son Jody and his daughter Michelle and I would hang out...

— Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 25, 2018

Rest in peace, Tony Joe White. One of the true swampy Southern soulmen of all time. Thanks for "Steamy Windows" and then some. Heckuva writer, funky as the longest day of the year…

— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) October 25, 2018

Rest in peace Tony Joe White! pic.twitter.com/FLjA5VbaSr

— Bob Dylan (@Bob41Dylan) October 25, 2018

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