Leon Redbone, born Dickran Gobalian in 1949 in Cyprus, was a mysterious and unique artist. He rarely spoke about his origins, and his stage name’s origin remains unclear. Research shows his family, of Armenian descent, fled Jerusalem in 1948 to Nicosia, Cyprus, where Redbone was born. By 1965, they had settled in Toronto, Canada.
In the late 1960s, Redbone started performing in Toronto clubs and festivals. His big break came in 1972 when Bob Dylan saw him at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Dylan praised Redbone’s music in a Rolling Stone interview, which led to a feature on Redbone before he even had a recording deal. His first album, *On the Track*, came out in 1975, earning him wider recognition.
Redbone became well-known for his old-time music style, inspired by early jazz, blues, and Vaudeville. He performed on shows like *Saturday Night Live* and *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*. His performances were distinctive, featuring him in vintage clothing, a Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and sitting upright on a stool. He played by ear, often improvising and never using setlists.
Redbone’s interests were eclectic. He admired artists from Bing Crosby to Mongolian throat singers. Clarinetist Dan Levinson, who toured with him for 12 years, said Redbone’s musical taste was the broadest he’d ever seen.
Redbone avoided modern trends, focusing on history and vintage music. He famously said, “The only thing that interests me is history, reviewing the past and making something out of it.” He also avoided flying after surviving a plane crash in 1979, preferring to travel by car.
In addition to his music, Redbone’s voice was featured in films and TV. He sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Zooey Deschanel in the movie *Elf* and voiced Leon the Snowman. He performed songs for *Sesame Street* and theme songs for shows like *Mr. Belvedere*.
In 2015, Redbone retired due to health concerns. He passed away on May 30, 2019, at age 69, from complications related to dementia. His family humorously announced his death, saying he had “crossed the delta for that beautiful shore at the age of 127.”
Leon Redbone left behind a legacy of timeless music and unforgettable performances. His unique style, humor, and dedication to preserving history through music continue to inspire fans worldwide.
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