New Orleans, La. -
People from around the globe pay tribute to a New Orleans cultural icon with a massive second line.
Uncle Lionel Batiste, who died Sunday morning at Ochsner Hospital, was known as the master of rhythm.
"He's done so much for the community, and everybody loved him, and cared about him," said nephew Aaron McNeal.
"He's been doing his thing for a long time, and he's been holding the tradition down, so you know you got to pay respect, you pay homage to people like that," said close friend Wendell Purnell.
He was the lean man with the big drum. Uncle Lionel Batiste -- the vocalist, bass drummer and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band -- was a cultural icon in his community.
"He came to me, he talked to me several times, he gave me some advice, and he said slow down, slow down, nephew, that's what he said," said Daniel Garcia.
Garcia says Batiste was an inspiration, and in his honor he painted a portrait that he plans to donate to the New Orleans Museum of Art.
"I want legacies, I want impactive legacies. We're not going to forget the culture, we're not going to let it disappear. It's going to rage on, and continue. This I hope will one day have 500,000 signatures," said Garcia.
Friday's second line attracted people from around the world, paying tribute to a man who became a symbol of New Orleans culture around the globe.
"It's incredible, it really really is, it's a great tribute to a man, I understand, who has really touched the community," said a visitor from New York.
"It's amazing, amazing, the most wonderful neighborhood event," said a Batiste fan.
The second line went from Treme to Sweet Lorraine's on St. Claude Ave. There, many of New Orleans' best known musicians, including Kermit Ruffins, Deacon John, and Rockin Doopsie, gathered for a tribute fit for an icon.
Organizers say proceeds from the event will go toward Batiste's outstanding medical bills and funeral costs.
"Fell in love with this old man to where we lost a general, a four star general, as far as the culture, the music, the life beat of New Orleans," said Danny Martin, who said Batiste was his mentor.
"I think Uncle Lionel really would have liked it, I think he really would have appreciated everybody coming out like this for him," said a visitor.
Next week, fans, friends and family will say goodbye to Uncle Lionel. The public viewing starts Thursday, July 19 at Charbonnet Funeral home in Treme. The next day, funeral services will be held at Mahalia Jackson theater. The final viewing will take place there at 9:00 a.m. Friday, followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m.
