Tremé historian, culturalist Collins ‘Coach’ Lewis dies
15th August 2011 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
Collins Lewis, who was born and raised in the Tremé and known to all as simply “Coach,” dedicated his life to learning about, teaching and preserving the culture that surrounded him. A member of the Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi Mandigo Warriors Mardi Gras Indian gang since its inception in 1984 and active with the Tambourine & Fan organization for over 40 years, Lewis passed away on August 5, 2011. He was 62.
“He was a culturalist; he was an historian,” says Fi-Yi-Yi Chief Victor Harris, who became close to Lewis when, as young men, they both joined Tambourine & Fan. It was while working with the organization’s youth football team, the Louis Hunters, that Coach got the nickname that would stick with him throughout his life.
“He loved the culture more than anything,” Harris proclaims. “That’s what he was all about – the music, second lines, Indians, gospel. He was knowledgeable about all that has happened in this city with this culture.”
Harris credits Lewis’ personality for endearing himself to the youngsters participating in the football games at Hunters Field. “He was like a Pied Piper,” the Chief says with a laugh. “He was just that type of character where you couldn’t resist him. Coach was a lovable person. He was a character – that’s what people liked about him.
“We go way back to the time of the struggle,” Harris continues, remembering that Tambourine & Fan organized protests just to acquire “the tiny piece of land at St. Bernard and Claiborne –Hunters Field,” for a park. “Coach and I were soldiers at the time and he continued to be politically active every day.”
Coach, who lived on Liberty Street (now Treme Street) until his family was forced to move when that section of Tremé was demolished to build Armstrong Park, was a member of the now-defunct Bucketmen Social Aid & Pleasure Club, which arose out of Tambourine and Fan. According to Harris, it was the first such organization in the 7th Ward. When Harris was a Flagboy with Big Chief Tootie Montana and the Yellow Pocahontas, Coach would help him sew his suits. His skill continued to grow during his decades with Fi-Yi-Yi. At his death, Coach’s title with the gang was Commissioner of the Chief’s sewing table.
“His contributions were instrumental to me,” Harris declares. “He was a beautiful sewer. He’s like the leaves on the tree to me – he’s a part of everything I’ve done.”
Beyond his abilities with a needle and thread, Coach also furthered his talents as both a drummer and a singer. In his youth, he had participated in both church and school choirs so he could always sing but until more recent years, his voice wasn’t heard out front with Fi-Yi-Yi.
“He developed the courage to do that and started doing lead singing,” Harris says, noting that Coach incorporated a unique gospel style. Then Harris imitates Coach’s rich baritone as he sings his friend’s signature, post-Katrina number. “Calling all the people, come back home.”
Coach also found his own voice on the drums, which were made by fellow Fi-Yi-Yi member and master drummer Wesley Philips.
“The other day we (Fi-Yi-Yi) were in the Satchmo parade and I’m listening and there was a beat missing,” Harris remembers. “And that was Coach.”
The sound of drums have been echoing in the 6th and 7th wards in honor of Coach throughout the week following his death. The Backstreet Cultural Museum was the natural first stop as it stands as a headquarters for Fi-Yi-Yi and a spot where Coach could often be found. While hanging on the museum’s front porch, Coach would often share his knowledge with those interested in the culture. All one really had to do was sit down and listen. However, he had little tolerance for those who offered up misinformation. He’d bluntly tell them that they didn’t know what they were talking about. Nothing got by Coach.
“The Backstreet was his home,” says the museum’s founder Sylvester Francis who knew Coach his entire life. “He always was a 6th Ward and 7th Ward person and always said, ‘Tomorrow will take care of itself.’ He was very educated and loved the culture real deep.”
Throughout his life, Coach was an involved person. He was a Mardi Gras Indian who was on the New Orleans streets and traveled across the United States to take part in events and presentations. He was a civil rights and community activist who marched and protested for his people and worked to encourage youngsters to take the correct path. While in the Air Force, he served his country in Vietnam. As a musician, Coach was heard on Dr. John’s 2004 CD N’Awlins: Dis, Dat or D’Udder and was seen in the second edition of the HBO series “Treme.” Coach remained on call with Tambourine & Fan and assisted in a variety of capacities with functions presented by the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp and numerous other organizations.
Harris speaks for New Orleans’ cultural community when he says: “This man will never be forgotten.”
When the fullness of Coach’s baritone voice would beckon, “I feel the spirit, I feel that spirit of Congo Square…” the ancestors gathered. He is now among them.
Collins “Coach” Lewis’ life was celebrated on Saturday, August 13, 2011, at the Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion Funeral Home. The service, which included a cultural program, was followed by an traditional Mardi Gras Indian procession.
This article was originally published in the August 15, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper
