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Keith LeBlanc | |
|---|---|
 LeBlanc performing withLittle Axe in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1954-11-10)November 10, 1954 Bristol, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 69) |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, record producer |
| Years active | c. 1980s–2024 |
Keith LeBlanc (November 10, 1954 – April 4, 2024)[1][2] was an American drummer and record producer who was a member of the bandsLittle Axe andTackhead.[3][4]
His record "No Sell Out" was one of the first sample-based releases.[5] The song was a success, charting at No. 60 on theUK Singles Chart,[6] and becoming the single of the week for several major music publications.[7] His career started out onSugar Hill Records recording with hip hop pioneersGrandmaster Flash and Melle Mel, and released several singles on and was a studio musician forTommy Boy Records.[5] He is also featured on several tracks on the albumPretty Hate Machine byNine Inch Nails.[8] He had his own record label on which he released music, samples records, and experiments.[9]
LeBlanc was born in Bristol, Connecticut,[10] in 1954[11] and grew up there. He got his start playing drums after seeingRingo Starr fromthe Beatles on TV. After showing an early interest and focus, his parents bought him a practice pad, and he joined the orchestra in school. A drummer in school encouraged his early interest, inspiring him to cobble together a makeshift kit which he played along to records on his father's HiFi system. He performed his first show at 14 after being snuck into the club by his older bandmates.[12]
LeBlanc's friend Harold Sargent, the drummer for the house band atSugar Hill Records, was retiring and needed to find his replacement. He brought in LeBlanc to audition forDoug Wimbish andSkip McDonald, who agreed to take him on after hitting it off with LeBlanc. After replacing Sargent, LeBlanc worked as the session drummer for Sugar Hill Records for four years.[12]
LeBlanc died on April 4, 2024.[13][14][15] His death was confirmed by his label On-U Sound.[16]
Source:[17]
Keith LeBlanc, (...), has passed away at the age of 70.
