Richie Hayward

Legendary Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward passed away on Thursday, August 12, at age sixty-four.

He had been battling liver cancer since 2009, and a fund was established in his name to help defray his medical costs. During his fight, the ailing Hayward received a remarkable outpouring of love and support from the drumming community and the music world in general, a testament to his warm personality and wide-reaching influence.

Hayward, who hailed from Clear Lake, Iowa, was a founding member of Little Feat, which released its self-titled debut album in 1971. His deep, funky groove and vibrant rock ’n’ energy made him an in-demand session and live player as well; he worked with Robert Plant, Robert Palmer, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Ry Cooder, Warren Zevon, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Coco Montoya, and countless others in his forty-plus-year career.