Loss of a Soulful Louisiana Native
The world of music lost an icon on March 8. The death of Dege Legg, also known as Brother Dege, has left his family, friends, band, and fans
heartbroken. He was 56 years old, and funeral arrangements are still pending.
Legg was born in Louisiana and moved from state to state
with his family growing up before eventually returning to settle back in the
South. He always loved 70s and 80s rock 'n' roll and listened to AC/DC. His
incredible guitar skills were self-taught and he always had an itch for music. Legg
embodied the essence of being a renaissance man and wore many hats throughout his
life including being a cab driver, dishwasher, mechanic, line cook, caseworker,
and journalist. He also achieved a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He joined and founded several bands over the course of his life, making poignant
music along the way.
With all his musical ambition, Brother Dege continued
pursuing his passion throughout his life. In 2011, Quentin Tarantino found his song "Too Old to Die
Young" and used it in his iconic film Django Unchained. This gave Legg's musical career the boost it needed.
Brother Dege also released a book in 2020. His fourth book,
this one titled Cablog: Diary of a Cab Driver, told the heartwarming,
heartbreaking, and wild stories of his encounters as a cab driver working in Lafayette, Louisiana for five years.
His music has been described as embodying the spirit of Louisiana
and the energy of the swamp, while also walking the line between folk and rock 'n' roll. His band, The Brethren, is deeply mourning his loss and after careful
thought of what Brother Dege would have wanted, their label will be going ahead
with the release of their upcoming album Aurora on March 15, Dege's sixth full-length
album. The album will stand as an avenue for his musical legacy to live on
after his passing.
