Wendell Holmes, Holmes Brother, Dies: Blues Singer Pens Passionate Letter To Fans From Hospice [Video]


Wendell Holmes, known for The Holmes Brothers’ musical legacy, died at the age of 71. Wendell was famed as a songwriter, pianist, singer, and guitarist before losing his life to pulmonary hypertension on June 19, reported Billboard.

Reigning in the category of blues and soul music from 1990 to 2014, The Holmes Brothers rolled out 12 studio albums. Of the group, Wendell continued to tour until his diagnosis in 2015. Also this year, Holmes Brothers drummer Willie “Popsy” Dixon passed away from cancer.

However, Sherman Holmes, who is a bassist and Wendell’s brother, has stayed faithful to The Holmes Brothers. He’s currently involved in The Sherman Holmes Project.

Reflecting on Wendell’s legacy as a member of The Holmes Brothers, his manager, Paul Kahn, said he had instinctive musical talent, reported ABC News.

Together with his brother Sherman, who is a bassist, Wendell first impressed listeners when the duo played in church. Then came the Big Apple, followed by the arrival of Willie Dixon to turn the duo into The Holmes Brothers trio in 1979.

“We Meet, We Part, We Remember” was his most well-known ballad.

Prior to his death, Wendell was in hospice. The Holmes Brothers legend wrote his thanks to his fans and family in a heartfelt letter, reported Oregon Music News.

“As I write this letter, I am preparing to go home on hospice care. One benefit of hospice is the time it allows you to say some of the things you want to say to those you love and care about. I’m grateful for the opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to many friends for your many expressions of love to me and my wife Barbara,” wrote Wendell.

Holmes also thanked fans of The Holmes Brothers. Aware that he was dying, the musician mused about the legacy of music that he was leaving behind.

“It was Abraham Lincoln who said that ‘the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but will never forget what they did here.’ Of course, I’m no Lincoln, but I believe there’s an element of truth there, and I do hope my music, whether some song I wrote, sang or maybe some notes I played, will leave a lasting impression.”

https://youtu.be/nWTZIhumUT8

In addition, Wendell mentioned his brother Sherman, asking for support for The Holmes Brothers legacy in his letter.

“Thanks too as you continue to support, enjoy and appreciate the gifts in my big brother Sherman as he carries on The Holmes Brothers legacy with his own Sherman Holmes Project along with Brooks Long and Eric Kennedy,” concluded the musician.

As the Inquisitr reported, B.B. King was in hospice prior to his death as well.

[Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]

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