Richie Hayward (February 6, 1946 - August 12, 2010) RIP

News of, and the cause of, Richie Hayward`s (co-founder and long time member of California Rock legends Little Feat) passing has been confirmed by his wife Shauna Hayward in these remarks:

Hello everyone x

The long journey to finding out the why and the what, became clear to us all yesterday.

Richie had Adult respiratory fibrosis, for many many years.
Left untreated, this disease compromises the lung tissue.

He then got pneumonia last week. Which with his history of lung damage, made him unable to successfully overcome it.

His body, as a response to the pneumonia, developed ARDS, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which means for most who get it, automatic life support systems. This would be one condition, he was looking at never being without.

He fought a long battle with liver, and all that comes with that.....and quite successfully managed to get it in pretty good shape, with his name going on the list as he was now ready and able as of Sept 1st.

His additional battle with lung disease however.....he did not manage to win.

He passed away in my arms, at 11:45 am this morning.
There could never be more love between two people x

As I was helping him to continue on his journey, I asked him to let me know every day of my life, that I am not alone...and he is still with me.
I told him to be the wind that blows my dress up at the corner,...or be the wave that splashes me when I don't want to get wet....just be with me, and let me know he is there, and I am not going to be without him.
I told him that our love is stronger than these bodies,...and this life xo
And we will be together forever x

I want to thank you all, for your love and rainbows x
It meant the world to us both, on this beautiful journey Richie and I were so blessed to have shared xoxo

Richie Hayward.....you are my champion xoxo
I miss you already xoxo

Hayward`s last performance was in fact on Canadian soil (where he made his home in later years), where Little Feat has a strong and devoted following, at the Vancouver Island Music Festival where he sat in with Little Feat.

Just less than a year ago today Little Feat performed this fitting tribute (at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ) to their ill comrade  who was `warped by the rain` and `driven by the snow`.