Jimmy Domengeaux: Age 44 | Cause Of Death: MOTORCYCLE
Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys
(Died: 25 January, 1999)
Black Dog
For the past four years as guitarist with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, he was featured in performances and recordings heard around the world. His music career stretched back some 38 years, perhaps most notably with the band “Black Dog.” He also performed with Warren Storm, Cajun Heat, The Gumbo Cajun Band, Cheryl Cormier, amongst others. Jimmy Domengeaux was killed in a hit and run accident while riding his motorcycle in southwestern Louisiana.
Obituary
Dear Friends,
I’m sure many of you have already heard. We have very sad news. Jimmy Domengeaux was killed early Monday morning, January 25th, in a motorcycle accident here in southwestern Louisiana. For the past four years as guitarist with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, he was featured in performances and recordings heard around the world. His music career stretched back some 38 years, perhaps most notably with the band “Black Dog.” He also performed with Warren Storm, Cajun Heat, The Gumbo Cajun Band, Cheryl Cormier, amongst others.
Jimmy was a gifted guitarist and a happy spirit. His smile and his high voltage solos lit up the stage wherever he played and his dynamic style was an intrical part of our sound. He was also a caring friend and a brother on the road. We speak not only for the band, but also the music community, and fans around the world, in sending our deepest condolences to his family in this sad time. He will be sorely missed.
Jimmy was 44 years old. He is survived by his mother and father Mr. & Mrs. Murphy Domengeaux, sisters Letty Darbone, Judy Theriot and Nancy Baham, brother Jackie Domengeaux and daughter Javen Domengeaux, age 9.
The wake will begin Tuesday January 26 at 12:30 PM at Pellerin’s Funeral Home, 211 Berard Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 tel (318) 332-2199. The wake will continue overnight until the funeral, which will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday January 27th at St. Bernard’s Church in Breaux Bridge.
The family has asked that anyone wishing to make donations (for a trust that will be set up for Jimmy’s daughter Javen) please send to: Murphy or Annie Domengeaux, 210 East Bridge Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517.
For all of you who have called and written, the band appreciates your thoughts in this hard time. We will be sure to bring all your responses to Jimmy’s family. I don’t think they really realize what an impact he made on people all over the world.
-Peter Schwarz
Management for Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
http://www.rounder.com/mamouplayboys.html
Some sad Cajun-related news today was the death of Jimmy Domengeaux, guitarist with Steve Riley’s band. (Steve Riley is probably the “hottest” of the young traditional Cajun accordionists.) Jimmy Domengeaux was killed in a hit and run accident while riding his motorcycle. I believe it was on the same highway on which the late great accordionist Iry LeJeune died. ~Blair K.
He was coming home from some clubs with a friend on his motorcycle about 4:30 one morning – he wasn’t drunk – he was on his way to his favorite restaurant, the Waffle House. His friend was riding behind on another motorcycle behind him, and saw Jimmy wobble and fall over. He said it looked like there was something wrong with the bike. He passed Jimmy up, and said Jimmy was rolling and looked like he would be okay. But he didn’t get out of the way fast enough, and the two cars behind him ran over him. Neither one stopped. ~Donna U.
