LeRoi Moore 1961-2008

At the 51st Grammy Awards, held in February of 2009, the video montage honoring those from the world of music who had died over the past year failed to include LeRoi Moore, one of the founding members of the Dave Matthews Band. He had died the previous summer.

Music fans were livid. Not only was Moore universally adored but he was part of one of America's greatest jam bands—a band that had won a Grammy Award and had been nominated 13 times. His omission from the tribute video was one of the biggest mistakes ever made in the history of that award show (and that's saying something).

Moore died on Aug. 19, 2008. In June, the brilliant saxophonist was involved in a serious all-terrain vehicle accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. While traveling to look at a tract of fence on his property he drove into a grass-covered ditch. The ATV flipped and landed on Moore breaking several of his ribs and puncturing a lung.

Moore was hospitalized for a few days and then released. However, complications forced him back into the hospital in mid-July. After being released for a second-time, Moore relocated to his home in Los Angeles to undergo rehabilitation. On the morning of Aug. 19, Moore was rushed to the hospital after complaining about feeling ill.

He passed away later that day from what was later determined to be pneumonia. Initial reports said he died from a blood clot.

The outpour of love and support for Moore's family and bandmates was overwhelming. Immediately after his passing, fans, colleagues, and friends began paying tribute to Moore with posters, wristbands, bumper stickers, and recordings. Artists that honored Moore, either on their Web sites or during one their concerts, included John Mayer, Kenny Chesney, Phish, and The Allman Brothers Band. In late August, thousands gathered for Moore's funeral held at the Holy Memorial Gardens in Albermarle County, Virginia.

As for DMB, they actually played a concert the same day Moore died. After their first song, "Bartender," Dave Matthews informed the crowd of the bad news. To honor the fallen musician, everyone began chanting LeRoi's name.

Perhaps the most moving tribute to Moore occurred in Brazil. During a concert held on Sept. 30, fans paid their respects by holding up white balloons. The gesture was so touching and sincere that the band stopped playing to thank all the Dave Matthews Band ticket holders in attendance. One DMB member, Boyd Tinsley, even began to cry.

Moore's last performance with the Dave Matthews Band occurred on June 28, 2008 at the Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge in Bristow, Virginia. According to DMB Live Trax, the last song he played with band was "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"—an old Sly and the Family Stone number.

LeRoi Holloway Moore was born Sept. 7, 1961 in Durham, North Carolina. He became an accomplished jazz musician while living in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 1991, he met Dave Matthews while playing at a night club—Matthews was tending bar there at the time. Moore not only helped form Dave Matthews Band, he also arranged many of the group's songs and co-wrote several notable hits including "Stay (Wasting Time)" and "Too Much."

In addition to playing several different saxophones, Moore also played the flute, oboe, bass clarinet, and the penny whistle.

Moore died three months before he was to marry his longtime best friend, Lisa Beane.