R.I.P. Keith LeBlanc

A eulogy for the drumming legend, a pioneer of hip-hop, and industrial drummer, Keith LeBlanc (1954 – April 4, 2024).

Keith LeBlanc has died. He was 69. The drumming legend was there at the birth of recorded hip-hop entering the mainstream (Sugarhill Gang) and was part of the pioneering-from-the-fringe groups Tackhead and Little Axe. He was also a vital presence in the studio as producer, programmer and session drummer, working with Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel, Seal and The Cure, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails. An eclectic roll-call of musicians used LeBlanc’s great four-on-the-floor groove and his industrial ideas to benefit their songs.

He was on tracks by Depeche Mode and James Brown, Spoonie Gee and Placebo. It’s one of the more amazing lists you can find really.

But there he is, most importantly, on Grandmaster Flash’s The Message, and That’s The Joint by Funky 4+1, on Sugarhill Gang’s Apache, and then from there on groundbreaking debut albums by Annie Lennox and Seal. He was also the creator of several solo albums himself, and over a dozen other records between Tackhead and Little Axe.

A legend. Someone who was there for so many artists when they needed him. Someone who was there at the birth of hip-hop and made himself part of the blueprint.

R.I.P. Keith LeBlanc.