Music World Says Goodbye To Nicolette Larson

Recording artist Nicolette Larson, best known for
her 1970s cover of Neil Young’s “Lotta Love,” died
Tuesday in Los Angeles. She was 45.

Larson died of complications from cerebral edema — a swelling
of the brain — at the UCLA Medical Center, according to her
husband, drummer Russell Kunkel. The couple has a
seven-year-old daughter, Elsie May Larson
Kunkel.

“We were truly devastated when we heard the news…it is a very
sad day for music,” said Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash.

In her 20-plus years in the music industry, Larson released six
critically acclaimed albums. The Helena, Mont., native started her
career singing backup for renowned artists such as Emmylou
Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Christopher Cross and
the Doobie Brothers. Her breakthrough came in 1978
when she recorded “Lotta Love,” a song she discovered on a tape
lying on the floor of Young’s car. “I popped it in the tape player
and commented on what a great song it was,” Larson said. “Neil
said, ‘You want it? It’s yours.”’

Private funeral services will be held this Saturday, with a
memorial service scheduled for January.