Walter Washington Cause of Death Tragic: Blues Guitarist Dead Days After 79th Birthday

Walter "Wolfman" Washington, a Blues guitarist who ultimately became a New Orleans music legend, has died days after marking his 79^th birthday.

The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported that Washington died on Dec. 22 at Passages Hospice. The publication noted that Walter Washington's cause of death was cancer.

Although it did not reveal the exact type of cancer he struggled with, it was noted that he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in March.

According to Cedars Sinai's official website, the throat has three types of tonsils; but most tonsil cancer starts in the palatine tonsils located on the sides of the throat. It explains that men are mostly diagnosed with the dreaded disease three to four times more often than women.

Tobacco and alcohol use poses the most significant risk factor in developing tonsil cancer. Among its symptoms include severe ear pain, pain when swallowing, bad breath, mouth pain, blood in saliva, sore throat, intolerance to citrus drinks and fruits, and blood in saliva, among others.

Despite his cancer diagnosis, Washington continuously performed in festivals and events while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. He was still able to appear at the French Quarter Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival earlier this year before his reported last performance at the Bogalusa Blues Festival on Sept. 29.

A funeral service has been scheduled on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home. There will also be a benefit concert on Jan. 8 at the Tipitina's music venue to help his family with his medical and funeral expenses.

Walter Washington Receives Heartfelt Tributes After Death

After learning about Washington's death, fans immediately expressed their heartbreaks online and paid tribute to the late music icon.

"I grew up listening to blues records," one said. "You'd hear blues records just walking up and down the street in my neighborhood. But I didn't really begin to understand blues until I saw Walter Washington sing and play his guitar at Dorothy's Medallion Lounge. #RIP."

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Washington started his career when he played in Lee Dorsey's band during his teenage years. He eventually launched his own band, All Fools Band, in the mid-1960s.

The guitarist worked with other artists, including his 20-year collaborator Johnny Adams' band, before marking his solo debut with "Rainin' In My Life" in 1981.

He dropped more albums thereafter, including, "Howlin's LIVE at DBA New Orleans," "Blue Moon Risin'," "On the Prowl," "Doin' the Funky Thing," "My Future Is My Past," and "Funk Is in the House."

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