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Keith LeBlanc

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Keith LeBlanc
LeBlanc performing with Little Axe in 2009
LeBlanc performing with Little 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 activec. 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 bands Little Axe and Tackhead.[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 the UK Singles Chart,[6] and becoming the single of the week for several major music publications.[7] His career started out on Sugar Hill Records recording with hip hop pioneers Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel, and released several singles on and was a studio musician for Tommy Boy Records.[5] He is also featured on several tracks on the album Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails.[8] He had his own record label on which he released music, samples records, and experiments.[9]

Early life

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LeBlanc was born in Bristol, Connecticut,[10] in 1954[11] and grew up there. He got his start playing drums after seeing Ringo Starr from the 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]

Sugar Hill Records

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LeBlanc's friend Harold Sargent, the drummer for the house band at Sugar Hill Records, was retiring and needed to find his replacement. He brought in LeBlanc to audition for Doug Wimbish and Skip 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]

Death

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Keith LeBlanc died on April 4, 2024,[13] at the age of 69 or 70.[14][15] His death was confirmed by his label On-U Sound.[16]

Discography

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Solo albums

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Source:[17]

Remixes

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Tackhead

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Main article: Tackhead discography

Session work

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References

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  1. ^ Keith LeBlanc, Drummer on Grandmaster Flash and Sugarhill Gang Songs, Dies at 69
  2. ^ Keith LeBlanc Interview | NAMM Oral History Library (2021)
  3. ^ Dougan, John. "Biography: Keith LeBlanc". AllMusic. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  4. ^ "On-U Sound In The Area - Keith LeBlanc biography". Skysaw.org. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 195. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  6. ^ "Malcolm X - Singles". officialcharts.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  7. ^ Savage, Jon (February 20, 1984). "Radical Chic". New Society. 67–68. New Society Limited: 186. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  8. ^ "Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "Blanc Records". Myspace. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Keith LeBlanc". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Rimbaud, Robin (April 5, 2024). "Sad to read of the passing of drummer Keith LeBlanc (1954-2024). His superglue percussive skills locked together so much music I've loved over the years. 'No Sell Out" (1983) remains an utter sonic gem and redefined dance music at the time". Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Threads.
  12. ^ a b "TRUTH IN RHYTHM" - Keith LeBlanc (Sugar Hill, Tackhead), Part 1 of 3, February 7, 2021, retrieved May 5, 2022
  13. ^ Robb, John (April 4, 2024). "Keith LeBlanc RIP". Louder Than War. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "Addio a Keith LeBlanc. Aveva 70 anni". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Keith LeBlanc, Drummer and Nine Inch Nails Producer, Dead". Consequence. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024. Keith LeBlanc, (...), has passed away at the age of 70.
  16. ^ "Keith LeBlanc Obituary". on-usound.com. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "Keith LeBlanc | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  18. ^ "Televangel – Strip Mall Church (Vocal) (Keith LeBlanc Prophet Siren Remix)". Discogs. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Keith LeBlanc credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Aswad, Jem (April 5, 2024). "Keith LeBlanc, Pioneering Drummer on Early Hip-Hop Classics by Grandmaster Flash and Sugar Hill Gang, Dies at 69". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Green, Jim; Robbins, Ira. "ABC". Trouser Press. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Azerrad, Michael (January 12, 1989). "R.E.M. - Green review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Freeman, Phil (September 1, 2023). "Keith LeBlanc". Burning Ambulance. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Depeche Mode: Ultra". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
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