Bobby Charles to be memorialized today

The man who wrote the soundtrack to many lives -- in Louisiana and around the world -- will be memorialized today at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville.

Bobby Charles will be remembered at a 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the church on the town square in the Vermilion Parish town that he adopted as his home after Hurricane Rita destroyed his Holly Beach hideway in Claiborne Parish.

His birth name was Robert Charles Guidry, but the world knew him as Bobby Charles, the man who wrote "Walking to New Orleans" for Fats Domino, "See You Later Alligator" or Bill Haley and His Comets, and "(I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do" for Clarence "Frogman" Henry. The last tune was featured on the soundtrack to "Forrest Gump."

Charles, who was 71, had diabetes and severe back problems, and was in remission from kidney cancer, said his publicist Karen Johnson.

She did not know the exact cause of his death, however.

He passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, at his home in Abbeville.

He is survived by four sons: Mark Emery Guidry, Barry Charles Guidry, Guy Paul Guidry and Robert Charles Guidry Jr.; a brother, Floyd Guidry; and a sister, Emily Courtier.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emery Guidry and the former Edvina Richard, and one sister, Lula Mae Bernard.

Funeral arrangements were being handled by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville.

Known for his reclusiveness, he was a reluctant performer who preferred to work behind the scenes, penning one classic after another. Few of the albums he cut bore his image.

The singer/songwriter may not of cultivated celebrity, but celebrities flocked to him.

Among his friends: Sonny Landreth, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, The Band.

His songs were covered by such artists as Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Kris Kristofferson, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Delbert McClinton, Bo Diddley, UB40, Lou Rawls, Gatemouth Brown and Junior Wells.

Charles was perhaps closest to Landreth and Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack. Both collaborted with him on many of his recent recordings.

His last album -- he completed the cover art just two days before his death -- is filled with music he considered "timeless" and is a tribute to his friend and inspiration, Fats Domino.

The album is called "Timeless" and is due to be released in February.

One of those songs, "Rollin' Round Heaven (All Day)," seems especially fitting.

It's the closest fans will ever come to hearing Charles say good-bye.

He never used the phrase, instead ending visits with "See you later, alligator." And he always expected to hear back, "After a while, crocodile."

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