The Neville Brothers

The Neville Brothers sustained New Orleans' deep R&B traditions across decades of solo work and performances under their family name. Though the four siblings—Arthur, Charles, Aaron, and Cyril—did not formally assemble as the Neville Brothers until 1977, their paths had intersected earlier while each pursued separate ventures. Eldest sibling Art launched a recording path first when his high-school ensemble the Hawketts taped "Mardi Gras Mambo" in 1954, a track that evolved into the yearly carnival's unofficial theme song. Aaron and Charles subsequently entered the Hawketts as well; upon Art's Navy enlistment in 1958, he transferred the vocal lead to Aaron.

Aaron achieved his initial solo success with "Over You" two years afterward, then secured a pop breakthrough in 1966 via the timeless ballad "Tell It Like It Is," which highlighted his delicate vocals. Meanwhile Art completed his service and pursued solo recordings that yielded regional successes such as "Cha Dooky Doo," "Zing Zing," and "Oo-Whee Baby." In 1967 he assembled Art Neville & the Sounds, which featured Aaron and Charles on vocals and swiftly dominated the local club scene.

Producer Allen Toussaint engaged the ensemble in 1968 as the core rhythm section for Sansu Enterprises; without Aaron and Charles, the Sounds developed into a respected studio unit that supported artists ranging from Lee Dorsey to Robert Palmer and LaBelle before gaining recognition independently as the Meters. Aaron therefore revived his solo efforts with uneven results and supplemented his income as a dockworker. Charles moved to New York City, where his saxophone abilities secured stints with multiple jazz ensembles; upon his return to New Orleans he received a marijuana possession conviction and completed a three-year term at the Angola Prison Farm.

The Meters accompanied the Wild Tchoupitoulas in 1975, a project fronted by the Nevilles' uncle George "Big Chief Jolly" Landry. Aaron, Charles, and youngest brother Cyril all contributed to that session. After the Meters dissolved the next year, the four siblings supported the Tchoupitoulas on the road and officially formed the Neville Brothers in 1977. Their 1978 self-titled debut on Capitol attempted to present the vocal group as a disco act despite their command of complex four-part harmonies; the poor reception led to their release from the label.

Three contract-free years followed until the Nevilles joined A&M, where admirer Bette Midler helped enlist producer Joel Dorn for the strong 1981 album Fiyo on the Bayou. The record showcased Aaron's luminous tenor on standards such as "Mona Lisa" and "The Ten Commandments of Love" plus versions of "Iko Iko" and "Brother John." Critical praise did not translate to sales, resulting in another label departure. On the small Black Top imprint they delivered the fiery 1984 live album Neville-ization, captured at the Crescent City venue Tipitina's and featuring Duke Ellington's "Caravan," Aaron's enduring "Tell It Like It Is," and originals including "Africa" and "Fear, Hate, Envy, Jealousy."

A further concert recording, 1987's Live at Tipitina's, preceded a move to EMI and the studio album Uptown that same year, which again failed commercially despite guest spots from Keith Richards, Jerry Garcia, and Carlos Santana. Re-signing with A&M in 1989, the group enlisted acclaimed New Orleans producer Daniel Lanois for the atmospheric Yellow Moon, widely regarded as their peak achievement; the record finally reached the charts, aided by the rallying single "Sister Rosa." Brother's Keeper, issued in 1990, performed even stronger, boosted by Aaron's simultaneous hit duet with Linda Ronstadt on "Don't Know Much."

In later years Aaron revived his solo trajectory while continuing with his brothers. The Nevilles maintained their dedicated audience through releases such as 1992's Family Groove, 1994's Live on Planet Earth, and 1996's Mitakuye Oyasin Oyasin/All My Relations. Aaron meanwhile reached the Top Ten in 1991 with "Everybody Plays the Fool" from the Ronstadt-produced Warm Your Heart, followed by a modest 1993 hit "Don't Take Away My Heaven" from The Grand Tour and a 1994 success with the duet "I Fall to Pieces" alongside country artist Trisha Yearwood. Charles also released the jazz set Charles Neville & Diversity in 1990.

A younger generation of Nevilles emerged as well; Aaron's son Ivan, who performed with Keith Richards' backing band the Xpensive Winos, issued his solo debut If My Ancestors Could See Me Now in 1988. The Neville Brothers' catalog extended with 1999's Valence Street and 2004's Walkin' in the Shadow of Life before the group formally disbanded in 2012. Several years afterward the four siblings shared a stage for the final time at the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival during a farewell performance titled "Nevilles Forever." Charles Neville succumbed to pancreatic cancer at his Massachusetts residence in April 2018 at the age of 79.