On This Day in Louisiana Music History

Satchmo.com - On This Day in Louisiana Music History

Jan

Feb

Mar

AUGUST 1
1875	Early jazz trombonist Willie Cornish was born in New Orleans in 1875; Cornish played in jazz legend Buddy Bolden's band, and later worked with the Eureka Brass Band
1928	Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings recorded "Walk That Broad" and "The Keyboard Express" for the Columbia label in New York in 1928
1966	Drummer Raymond Weber was born in New Orleans in 1966. Weber has worked with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Harry Connick Jr, Ivan Neville, and many others
1981	"Dixie On My Mind" by Shreveport native Hank Williams Jr. hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1981
1999	Sousaphone player Frank "Jo Friday" Bedell passed away in New Orleans in 1999 at age 46; Bedell played with The Algiers Brass Band, and was a member of Southern University's marching band in his college days

AUGUST 2
1896	Early jazz cornetist and composer Anatie "Natty" Dominique was born in New Orleans in 1896; Natty worked with Manuel Perez before moving to Chicago; later worked with Carroll Dickerson, Jimmie Noone, Johnny Dodds, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and others; he also recorded with the State Street Ramblers in the late 20's; Dominique was the cousin of clarinetist Barney Bigard.
1929	The Harlem Footwarmers (actually the Duke Ellington Orchestra) recorded "Jungle Jamboree" and "Snake Hip Dance" for the Okeh label in New York in 1929; the Footwarmers sessions featured New Orleanians Barney Bigard on clarinet and Wellman Braud on bass.
1956	R&B, soul and swamp pop singer Gregg Martinez was born in Lafayette, LA in 1956.
1980	Fiddle player and Cajun music pioneer Leo Soileau passed away in Ville Platte, Louisiana in 1980 at age 76
1990	Local fiddle phenom, singer and actress Amanda Shaw was born in Fitchburg (Boston), Massachusetts in 1990
1998	Dixieland drummer and band leader Phil Zito passed away in New Orleans in 1998 at age 84; Zito founded the Original Dixieland Jazz Band Foundation in 1935 to honor Nick LaRocca and other Italian-American musicians; Phil Zito's New Orleans International City Dixielanders featured Pete Fountain and George Girard, who went on to form the Basin Street Six in the early 50's
2001	The New Orleans International Airport was re-named as the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001. The event was in conunction with the Louis Armstrong Centennial Conference.

AUGUST 3
1910	Late clarinet and sax player Oliver Alcorn was born in New Orleans in 1910; he was the brother of late New Orleans trumpet great Alvin Alcorn, worked with Clarence Desdunes, George McCullum Jr., Little Brother Montgomery, and others.
1916	Louisiana Hayride producer and emcee Horace Logan was born in 1916; Logan passed away in 2002 at age 86.
1946	Cajun musician, songwriter and accordion instructor August Broussard was born in Westlake, Louisiana in 1946. Broussard was inducted into the Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame in 1995.
1955	Noted drummer and percussionist Hamid Drake was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1955.
2007	Multi-genre saxophone great and music educator Earl Turbinton passed away in 2007 at age 65. The New Orleans native was the brother of keyboard player and producer Wilson "Willie Tee" Turbinton (who passed away in September of 2007).

AUGUST 4
1901	Jazz pioneer and goodwill ambassador Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901; Armstrong celebrated his birthday on July 4th (believing his DoB to be July 4, 1900); a birth certificate located 12 years after his death indicated his birth date to be August 4, 1901
1905	Pioneering piano player Joseph "Red" Caillou (aka Red Cayou) was born in New Orleans in 1905.
1902	Late string bassist Eddie Marrero was born in New Orleans; he was the brother of musicians John, Simon, and Lawrence Marrero; his father Billy was also a bass player
1933	Alto sax great Sonny Simmons was born in Sicily Island, Louisiana in 1933.
1939	Ooh-wee, baby ... rock 'n roll crooner Frankie Ford was born in Gretna, LA in 1939.
1962	"You'll Lose a Good Thing" by Barbara Lynn hit #1 on the R&B chart on this day in 1962; the track was produced by Huey P. Meaux at Cosimo's in New Orleans.
1965	The Dixie Cups appeared on the ABC's music show Shindig! in 1965 (performing "I'm Gonna Get You Yet" and "Two Way Pockey Way")
1996	Wynton Marsalis and Buckwheat Zydeco were among the performers at the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996; the event was beamed around the globe to an estimated one billion viewers
2003	Writer, producer, arranger, label owner and Belle Chasse, Louisiana native Bill Boskent passed away in Baltimore, MD in 2003 at age 77; Boskent had long association with Lloyd Price, including writing credits on Price's 1957 "Just Because" (#3 on R&B chart), and producing the #1 hit, "Stagger Lee"

AUGUST 5
1908	Trumpeter and bandleader Don Albert (née Albert Dominique) was born in New Orleans in 1908; Albert was the nephew of trumpeter Natty Dominique; for more info, see "Jazz on the Road: Don Albert's Musical Life" he played in parade bands before moving to Texas in 1926; later returned to New Orleans to form his own band, the Don Albert Orchestra in 1932, who traveled between Louisiana and Texas until 1939; Albert continued to play with other orchestras in later years, and was featured at the 1969 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
1984	New Orleans piano whiz Isadore "Tuts" Washington died at age 77 while performing at the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair; one of the first "kings" of New Orleans piano, Washington influenced later players such as Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Dr. John; Tuts was featured in the award-winning video "Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together".
1993	New Orleans born piano player and bandleader Duke Burrell passed away in Los Angeles in 1993 at age 73; Burrell worked with Louis Jordan, Johnny Otis, Barney Bigard, and others

AUGUST 6
1900	Late bandleader and clarinet great Tony Parenti was born in New Orleans in 1900; Parenti began his career playing with Papa Laine's band, Nick LaRocca and drummer Johnny Stein's band; later musical associations included stints with Ted Lewis, Eddie Condon, Muggsy Spanier and Miff Mole; Parenti was featured at the 1969 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
1949	Noted chanteuse and local musical ambassador Lillian Boutt� was born in New Orleans in 1949
1961	Reeds player and music educator Victor Goines was born in New Orleans in 1961.
1971	Rebirth Brass Band trombonist Stafford Agee was born in Biloxi, MS in 1971. Agee is also the Spy Boy for the Black Feather Mardi Gras Indian tribe.
1973	Blues legend Memphis Minnie (nee Lizzie Douglas) passed away in Memphis in 1973 at age 76; the New Orleans (Algiers) native was one of the most prolific blues artists between 1929-1941, recording over 150 sides; her songs have been covered by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Corey Harris and Lucinda Williams.
2010	Trumpeter, composer, session player and influential music educator Clyde Kerr, Jr. passed away in 2010 at age 67; Kerr's students included Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Irvin Mayfield, Christian Scott and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews.

AUGUST 7
1948	Zydeco accordionist and bandleader Lynn August was born in Lafayette, LA in 1948.
1948	Country music legend Hank Williams Sr. made his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride radio show on station KWKH in Shreveport in 1948.
1982	"Honky Tonkin'" by Shreveport native Hank Williams Jr. hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1982 (the tune was written by Hank, Sr., and was a hit for him in 1948).
2004	Rapper Juvenile hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2004 with the single "Slow Motion." The track, which featured late New Orleans rapper Soulja Slim (1977�2003), topped the chart for 2 weeks.

AUGUST 8
1900	Late trumpet player Elmer "Coo Coo" Talbert was born in New Orleans in 1900; Talbert studied under Kid Rena, and played with Rena's brass band in the early 1930's; he later replaced Bunk Johnson in George Lewis's band and recorded with Lewis in the late 40's
1912	Late Cajun accordionist Alphee Bergeron was born in Point Noir, LA in 1912; Bergeron worked with Nathan Abshire, Amadie Ardoin, Joseph Falcon, Happy Fats, and others; his backing band, the Veteran Playboys, included his son Shirley Bergeron
1914	Late Dixieland jazz drummer and band leader Phil Zito was born (Philip Anthony Zito) in New Orleans in 1914; Zito founded the Original Dixieland Jazz Band Foundation in 1935 to honor Nick LaRocca and other Italian-American musicians; Phil Zito's New Orleans International City Dixielanders featured "youngsters" Pete Fountain and George Girard, who later went on to form the Basin Street Six in the early 50's
1921	Legendary honky tonk vocalist Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, LA in 1921; Pierce racked up 13 #1 singles on the Country charts during his career, placing a total of 97 singles on the charts between 1952 and 1982
1922	Future jazz legend Louis Armstrong left New Orleans by train to join King Oliver's band in Chicago in 1922; it would be nine years before Satchmo would return to his home town (for a 1931 engagement at the Suburban Gardens)
1926	Late "West Coast" blues vocalist Al King was born in Monroe, LA in 1926; his last album, "It's Rough Out Here", was nominated for Comeback Album of the Year at the 1999 W.C. Handy Awards
1940	New Orleans clarinet legend and band leader Johnny Dodds passed away in Chicago in 1940 at age 48; Johnny, the brother of drummer Baby Dodds, worked with Kid Ory, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and others; he was also featured on Louis Armstrong's classic Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings
1973	Rebirth Brass Band trumpeter Glen Andrews was born in New Orleans in 1973
1975	Country crooner Hank Williams Jr. suffered a near-fatal fall while mountain climbing with friends in Montana in 1975; Williams crushed his face and skull after a 500 foot fall down Mount Ajax; it took several reconstructive surgeries to repair the injuries
2009	The country duo Steel Magnolia were named winners of CMT's "Can You Duet" music competition in 2009. The pair consists of Joshua Scott Jones and New Orleans native Meghan Linsey Moore.

AUGUST 9
1934	Late country music giant Merle Kilgore was born (Wyatt Merle Kilgore) in Chickasha, OK in 1934; Kilgore, who was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, got started in the music business as a studio guitarist on the Louisiana Hayride in 1950; his lengthy career included work as a deejay, performer, songwriter (credits include "Wolverton Mountain" and "Ring of Fire"), actor, and artist manager (Hank Williams, Jr.); Kilgore served on the CMA Board of Directors, as well as President of both the Nashville Songwriter's Association International and the Nashville Songwriter's Foundation; he became an Honorary State Senator in the State of Tennessee, and was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame
1980	Big Chief Jolly (nee George Landry) of the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indian tribe passed away in New Orleans in 1980 at age 63; Landry was uncle to the Neville Brothers, and was a major influence in their musical development; the 1976 recording of the landmark Wild Tchoupitoulas album led to the formation of the band that became the Neville Brothers.
1992	Noted jazz writer, historian and musician Bill Russell passed away in New Orleans in 1992 at age 87; the Missouri native helped "rediscover" Bunk Johnson in 1942 and he documented many New Orleans musicians on his American Music record label; in 1958, he became the first curator of the Hogan Jazz Archives at Tulane University where his interviews helped document the early history of jazz; in later years, Russell played violin with the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra.
1994	Saxophone great Clarence Ford passed away in New Orleans in 1994 at age 64; the long time member of Fats Domino's band began his career working with the Eureka Brass Band and Wallace Davenport's Be-Bop Jockeys in the 40's; a prolific session player, Ford recorded with Guitar Slim, Little Richard, Art Neville, Frankie Ford, Professor Longhair, LaBelle, and dozens of others

AUGUST 10
1872	Late guitar, bass, banjo and tuba player Bill Johnson (William Manuel Johnson) was born in New Orleans in 1872; Johnson began playing bass at Tom Anderson's Cafe circa 1903, and paraded with the Peerless, Excelsior and Frankie Dusen's Eagle Band during this period; he moved to California in 1909, and sent for Freddie Keppard and George Bacquet to form the Original Creole Orchestra; in later years, Johnson worked in Chicago with King Oliver, Johnny Dodds, Keppard, and others; recordings include sessions with King Oliver, State Street Ramblers and Sidney Bechet, plus a couple tracks as band leader; Johnson retired from playing in the early 1960's, and passed away in 1972 at age 100
1888	Late bass drum player Henry "Booker T" Glass was born in New Orleans in 1888; Glass began his career with the Camelia Orchestra and Camelia Brass Band, both led by Wooden Joe Nicholas; he continued to perform with the city's leading brass and dance bands until his death at age 92; his son Nowell "Papa" Glass (1927-2001) was also a bass drummer
1905	Late string bassist and bandleader Nat Towles was born in New Orleans in 1905; Towles, the son of bassist Charlie Towles, worked with Buddie Petit, Red Allen, and others before forming his own band, the Creole Harmony Kings (which featured Bill Mathews and Herb Morand) circa 1923; Towles led several other bands before retiring to California in 1959.
1940	Noted session guitarist and record producer Jerry Kennedy was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1940; Kennedy is the former head of Mercury Records Nashville office, and he is currently the owner of JK Productions, Inc.
1964	Louis Armstrong's classic "Hello, Dolly" album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1964
1985	"I'm For Love" by Shreveport native Hank Williams Jr. hit #1 on the Country Chart in 1985
2006	R&B singer Barbara George passed away in Bossier City, LA in 2006 at age 63; George's hit "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (A.F.O. Records) topped the R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1961; it also reached #3 on the Pop Chart; more

AUGUST 11
1887	Blues pioneer Crying Sam Collins was born in Louisiana in 1887. Collins was raised in McComb, Mississippi. He first recorded ("The Jail House Blues") in Chicago in 1927. He later recorded under the aliases Salty Dog Sam and Jim Foster. Collins passed away in Chicago in 1949.
1938	Swamp pop singer Clint West (real name Clinton Guillory) was born in Vidrine, Louisiana in 1938. West worked with the Vidrine Playboys and the Boogie Kings before going solo.
1943	Treme Brass Band leader and snare drummer Benny Jones, Sr. was born in New Orleans in 1943.
1962	New Orleans based keyboard player, songwriter and vocalist Jon Cleary was born in Cranbrook, Kent, England in 1962.
1984	Noted R&B vocalist and songwriter Percy Mayfield passed away in Los Angeles in 1984 at age 63; the Minden, LA native was hailed as one of America's greatest songwriters by the likes of Ray Charles and B.B. King, who both recorded Mayfield's tunes; songs penned for Ray Charles included "Hit The Road, Jack" and "At The Club"; he had his own hits in the 50's, with "Please Send Me Someone To Love", "Strange Things Happening", and "Cry Baby"; the late Johnny Adams paid tribute to Mayfield, recording a collection of his tunes on the 1989 album, "Walking on a Tightrope"
1999	Noted R&B vocalist Tommy Ridgley passed away in New Orleans in 1999 at age 73
2008	Hip-hop emcee Bionik Brown was killed in an auto accident in Denver, CO in 2008. The New Orleans native (born Nathan Woods) was 32. He had relocated to Denver after Hurricane Katrina. Read more at his MySpace page.

AUGUST 12
1912	Late trad jazz trumpeter Andrew "Andy" Anderson (not to be confused with Florida born trumpeter Andy Edward Anderson) was born in New Orleans in 1912; Anderson paraded with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band early in his career; in later years he gigged regularly at Preservation Hall
1914	Late cajun fiddler Wallace "Cheese" Read was born in Eunice, LA in 1914; Read generally shunned the professional circuit, but he did record for Harry Oster and Chris Strachwitz in 1979 (read more)
1920	Late R&B singer/songwriter Percy Mayfield was born in Minden, LA in 1920
1926	R&B vocalist Joe Jones was born in New Orleans in 1926; Jones had a top 10 R&B and pop hit with "You Talk Too Much" in 1960, and was also known for managing and producing The Dixie Cups and Alvin "Shine" Robinson
1933	Folk artist/poet/activist Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick was born in Haynesville, LA in 1933
1940	Swamp pop great Rod Bernard was born in Opelousas, LA in 1940; his classic cover of King Karl's "This Should Go On Forever" made both the Pop (#20) and R&B (#12) charts in 1959. Bernard passed away on July 12, 2020 at age 79.
1950	Professor Longhair's classic "Bald Head" (credited to Roy Byrd and his Blues Jumpers) entered the R&B Charts in 1950; it topped out at the #5 spot
1951	Noted funk and R&B drummer Herman "Roscoe" Ernest was born (Herman V. Ernest III) in New Orleans in 1951. Ernest was the longtime beat keeper for Dr. John. His extensive recording credits include LaBelle's 1974 #1 hit "Lady Marmalade." Ernest was also featured in the instructional video "New Orleans Drumming" with Earl Palmer, Herlin Riley and Johnny Vidacovich. He passed away from cancer in 2011 at age 59.
2005	Cajun musician (drums, guitar, fiddle) and vocalist Crawford Vincent passed away in Baytown, Texas on August 12, 2005. The Gueydan, Louisiana native worked with The Hackberry Ramblers, Leo Soileau, Leo Soileau, Harry Choates, Cliff Bruner, Iry LeJeune, and many others. See Ron Yule's book Louisiana Fiddlers for more on Vincent.
2005	Cajun fiddler extraordinaire Rufus Thibodeaux passed away in Nashville in 2005 at age 71. The Ridge, LA native recorded with Jimmy C. Newman, Bob Wills, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and Neil Young among many others. Read more.
2011	19 year old music whiz Hunter Hayes made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 2011. Hunter performed "Storm Warning."

AUGUST 13
1919	Late bluesman Robert "Baby Boy" Warren was born in Lake Providence, LA in 1919; Warren moved to Detroit in the early 40's to work at General Motors; he later became a fixture on the Motor City blues scene, recording with Sonny Boy Williamson and others.
1947	Louis Armstrong and his "All Stars" band made their official debut at Billy Berg's night club in Los Angeles in 1947; Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Woody Herman, and many other Armstrong acolytes were in attendance
1957	Louis Armstrong was reunited with singer Ella Fitzgerald in 1957 at sessions that resulted in the "Ella and Louis Again" album (the second of three albums pairing the musical legends); the tracks, recorded for the Verve label in Los Angeles, included "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm"
1966	"Almost Persuaded" by Shreveport, LA native David Houston hit #1 on the Country Chart in 1966; the tune, penned by Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton, remained atop the chart for nine consecutive weeks; it also won 1966 Grammy awards for Best Country & Western Recording, Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, and Best Country & Western Song.
1966	The Righteous Brothers and Simmesport, LA native Joe Simon were musical guests on ABC's "American Bandstand" in 1966 (Simon performed "Teenager's Prayer").
1973	Rising country music star Andy Griggs was born in West Monroe, LA in 1973.
1986	Jerry Lee Lewis's estranged wife - Kerry, age 23 - added a twist to the couple's on-again & off-again divorce proceedings by announcing she was pregnant; the divorce was called off and Kerry later gave birth to a boy she and her husband named Jerry Lee Lewis the Third
1995	Blues guitarist Jesse "Babyface" Thomas passed away in Shreveport, LA in 1995 at age 84; the Logansport, LA native was the brother of Texas bluesman Willard "Ramblin'" Thomas (also from Logansport, LA).
2007	Fats Domino was named an American Music Legend by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2007. Also, Capitol/EMI Records presented Fats with reproductions of 20 of his gold record awards that were lost when Hurricane Katrina floodwaters destroyed his Lower 9th Ward home. The events took place at Tipitina's French Quarter location. Read more.

AUGUST 14
1938	Late Gospel singer Howard Bowie was born in New Orleans in 1938; Bowie performed with the legendary Zion Harmonizers for 43 years; he passed away on July 22, 2002 at age 63.
1990	Traditional jazz bassist Chester Zardis passed away in New Orleans in 1990 at age 90; as a youngster, Zardis played with Louis Armstrong in the Colored Waif's Home band; his early work included stints with Kid Rena, Buddy Petit, Chris Kelly, Jack Carey, Fats Pichon, Bunk Johnson, and others; he was later a fixture at Preservation Hall for over a quarter of a century; Zardis was featured in the 1989 documentary "Chester Zardis: The Spirit of New Orleans", which was filmed shortly before his death
1991	Singer and actress Linda Hopkins was the musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1991.
1994	The Neville Brothers performed on the third and final day of Woodstock '94 (CD / Video), held in Saugerties, NY; 350,000 attended the event, which featured mud fights and memorable performances by Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and others
2000	8-year-old opera singer Juan Carlos Hernandez (from Harvey, LA) performed the National Anthem at the opening of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles in 2000 (photo)
2000	The A&E TV concert special "Live By Request: Willie Nelson" aired on this day in 2000; Willie was joined on stage by special guests including B.B. King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Dr. John.

AUGUST 15
1903	Late drummer, bandleader, and occasional brass player Monk Hazel was born in Harvey, LA in 1903; Hazel led his own band, the Bienville Roof Orchestra, in the 20's; in his later years, he worked with Sharkey Bonano, George Girard, Santa Pecora, and many others.
1916	Cajun songwriter, musician, comedian, and storyteller Marion Marcotte was born in Moreauville, Louisiana in 1916. Marcotte passed away in 1998 at age 81.
1931	Late Gospel vocalist Nolan Washington was born in New Orleans in 1931; Washington was the manager and a lead voice of the Zion Harmonizers; Nolan, the brother of Sherman Washington, also worked with Lou Rawls and Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers
1968	Cajun songwriter and accordion legend Lawrence Walker passed away in Rayne, Louisiana in 1968 at age 60. The Duson, LA native made his recording debut in 1929 (with his father Allen Walker and brother Elton Walker), and later cut records for the Bluebird, Khoury, La Louisiane, and Swallow labels. Read more.
1981	The film "A Time To Sing", starring Hank Williams Jr., debuted in Nashville in 1968
1972	Influential string bassist Eddie Dawson passed away in New Orleans in 1972 at age 88; Dawson recorded with Herb Morand and Peter Bocage, among others
1976	Clarinet great Albert Burbank passed away in New Orleans in 1976 at age 74; Burbank studied under Lorenzo Tio, Jr. and first played professionally in the 1920's; he worked with Paul Barbain and Kid Ory in the 50's, and in latter years, Burbank was a regular at the Paddock Lounge, Dixieland Hall and Preservation Hall
1985	New Orleans-born trumpeter Leon Prima passed away in Gulfport, MS in 1985 at age 78; Prima worked with Tony Parenti, Leon Roppolo, Ray Bauduc, Jack Teagarden, Sharkey Bonano, and others; he also played with older brother Louis Prima's big band in New York in the 40's, and led his own combo (photo) at local clubs in the 50's; Leon also ran several local night spots, including The Shim Sham Club and The 500 Club
1987	Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, George Benson and Dizzy Gillespie were headliners at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1987

AUGUST 16
1888	Violinist and orchestra leader Armand J. Piron was born in New Orleans in 1888; Piron began playing professionally in 1904; he took over the Olympia Orchestra (band members included Joe "King" Oliver, Sidney Bechet and Clarence Williams) in 1912 when Freddie Keppard moved to California; he formed the Piron & Williams Publishing Company with Clarence Williams in 1915; he led Piron's New Orleans Orchestra, which played Tranchina's for several years in the 1920's, and later worked with various groups on the S.S. Capitol and other river boats
1905	Late trumpeter, bandleader and deejay Tony Almerico was born in New Orleans in 1905; Almerico ran the Parisian Room on Royal Street from 1948-60
1919	Noted Cajun fiddler and singer Chuck Guillory was born in Mamou, Louisiana in 1919. Guillory's 1949 recording of "Grand Texas" was the basis for the Hank Williams hit "Jambalaya."
1925	New Orleans born blues songstress Edna Hicks passed away in Chicago in 1925 at age 29.
1936	Late vocalist and tenor sax player Huey Thierry was born in Jennings, LA in 1936; Thierry was leader of the 60's swamp pop group Cookie & The Cupcakes.
1935	Late R&B vocalist Bobby Mitchell was born in Algiers, LA in 1935; Mitchell was known for his tunes "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" and "Try Rock and Roll" (the latter reached #14 on the R&B chart in 1956).
1942	R&B singer Barbara George was born (Barbara Ann Smith) in Smithridge, LA in 1942; George's hit "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (A.F.O. Records) topped the R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1961; it also reached #3 on the Pop Chart; more
1943	Swamp pop singer T.K. Hulin was born (Alton James Hulin) in St. Martinville, LA in 1943.
1956	Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald recorded the first of three duet albums, "Ella and Louis", for the Verve label in Los Angeles in 1956
1967	Louis Armstrong recorded the classic "What A Wonderful World" for the ABC Paramount label in New York in 1967; Satchmo's last big hit topped the British charts for 4 weeks in 1968, but did not gain widespread popularity at home until 1988, when it was included in the soundtrack to the film, "Good Morning, Vietnam"

AUGUST 17
1924	Noted guitarist and bandleader Edgar Blanchard was born in Grossetete, Louisiana in 1929
1927	Legendary tenor sax man Sam Butera was born in New Orleans in 1927. Butera is noted for his 21 year stint leading the backup band for trumpeter Louis Prima. After Prima fell into a coma in 1975, Butera continued performing and touring the world until retiring in 2004. He released several solo albums, and also recorded with Frank Sinatra (check out "Stargazer") and Sammy Davis Jr., among others. Butera passed away in Las Vegas in 2009 at age 81. Read more about Sam here, here and here.
1937	Swamp pop guitarist Guitar Gable (real name Gabriel Perrodin) was born in Bellevue, LA in 1937; his better known tunes include "Congo Mombo" and "This Should Go On Forever"
1959	"I'm Gonna Get Married" by R&B great Lloyd Price entered the Billboard Top 40 and R&B charts on this day in 1959; the tune later reached #3 on the Pop Chart and #1 on the R&B Chart (for 3 weeks).

AUGUST 18
1919	Drummer Frank Parker was born in New Orleans in 1919; Parker palyed with Teddy Buckner, Johnny Otis, Fats Domino, Roy Brown, Ray Charles, Louis Jordan, and many others; he toured with the cast of the musical "One Mo' Time" in 1979, and was a regular at Preservation Hall in the 80's; Parker passed away on January 23, 2001
1956	"Only Time Will Tell" by swamp pop singer & songwriting legend Bobby Charles entered the R&B Chart in 1956; the tune peaked at #11 and remained on the chart for 3 weeks.
1998	Short lived "super group" Tiny Town (Pat McLaughlin, Kenneth Blevins, Tommy Malone and Johnny Ray Allen) released their one and only CD for the Pioneer Music Group label in 1998.
1999	New Orleans rapper Juvenile (Terius Gray) picked up the Single of the Year award for his smash hit "Ha" at the 1st annual Source Hip-Hop Music Awards, held in Los Angeles in 1999
2008	R&B singer Pervis Jackson passed away in Detroit in 2008 at age 70. The Monroe, Louisiana native was the bass singer with lengendary Detroit vocal group The Spinners. He was a co-founder of the group, formed in 1961, and remained with them up to his passing. Read more.

AUGUST 19
1908	Influential string bass player Al Morgan was born in New Orleans in 1908. His brother was noted cornetist Sam Morgan. Musical associations included lengthy stints with Fate Marable, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Les Hite and Sabby Lewis, among many others.
1908	Late clarinet and sax player Johnny Reininger was born in New Orleans in 1908; Reininger worked with the Ellis Stratakos Orchestra, and led big bands in New Orleans from the 1930's through the 50's, playing at the Jung Hotel, Lenfant's Restaurant, and the My-Oh-My Club
1929	Swamp pop, country and rockabilly singer/songwriter Jimmy Donley was born in Gulfport, MS in 1929; many of Donley's songs were covered by Fats Domino, including the Top 10 hit, "What A Price"; he also released several singles for Huey P. Meaux's Tear Drop Records label. Donley committed suicide on March 20, 1963.
1935	Rockabilly singer and guitarist Al Ferrier was born in Montgomery, Louisiana in 1935
1944	Cajun and country music star Eddy Raven was born (Edward Garvin Futch) in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1944
1959	Keyboard whiz, in-demand session player and band leader (Dumpstaphunk) Ivan Neville was born in New Orleans in 1959.
1970	Bass player and music manager/booking agent Mitchell Player was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1970.
1972	"Power of Love", by Simmesport, LA native Joe Simon, entered the Top 40 in 1972; it went on to reach #11 on the Pop Chart and #1 on the R&B Chart.
1989	Rapper and actor Romeo (aka Lil' Romeo, nee Percy Romeo Miller) was born in New Orleans in 1989. The son of No Limit Records founder Master P, Romeo began appearing on his dad's albums at the age of 4; he made history in 2001 when his single "My Baby" hit No. 1 on the R&B/Rap Chart, making him the youngest person to ever reach number one on a solo project; like his famous pop, he is an avid basketball player.

AUGUST 20
1949	Noted bass player Julius Farmer was born in New Orleans in 1949. Farmer worked with Chick Corea, Ellis Marsalis, George Benson, Charles Neville, and many others. Recording credits include releases by The Wild Magnolias, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Professor Longhair and Dr. John. Farmer passed away in 2001 at age 52.
1950	Trombone great Freddie Lonzo was born in New Orleans in 1950
1995	Gospel vocalist Rev. Paul Foster, Sr. passed away in Vallejo, CA in 1995 at the age of 75; the Shreveport, LA native recorded with The Golden Echoes in the late 40's, and was a longtime vocalist with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members, The Soul Stirrers (which also featured the late Sam Cooke).
1999	Blues Traveler bass guitarist Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his New Orleans apartment in 1999; the coronor later ruled that the 31 year old musician had died from a drug overdose

AUGUST 21
1917	Noted jazz bassist Rodney Richardson was born in New Orleans in 1917; Richardson is best known for his work with Count Basie's Orchestra in the 40's; he also worked with Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Harlan Leonard, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Joe Williams, Tiny Grimes, Buddy Rich, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry, Nat King Cole, Freddy Cole, Carmen McRae, and dozens more. Richardson passed away in California in 2005 at age 88.
1920	Late vocalist, songwriter and actress Savannah Churchill was born (Savannah Valentine) in Colfax, Louisiana in 1920; Churchill was forced into show business when her husband died in an auto accident in 1941, leaving her with two children to support; she worked with Benny Carter, The Four Tunes, The Striders, Nat "King" Cole, and others; her biggest hits included "Hurry Hurry", and the self-penned tunes "I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)" and "Daddy Daddy."
1937	Noted blues/zydeco/r&b guitarist and vocalist Classie Ballou was born in Elton, LA in 1937 (more).
1939	Legendary guitarist, sideman, and R&R Hall of Fame inductee James Burton was born in Dubberly, LA in 1939; Burton came to fame for his twangin' on Dale Hawkin's 1957 hit "Susie Q"; he was Ricky Nelson's guitarist from 1958-1965, then replaced Scotty Moore as Elvis Presley's guitarist in the late 1960's; Burton later hooked up with Gram Parsons and joined Emmylou Harris and The Hot Band after Parsons' death; Burton's session work can be heard on albums by The Monkees, Johnny Rivers, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and dozens of others
1970	Jazz trumpeter Marlon Jordan was born in New Orleans in 1970; Marlon is the son of sax legend Edward "Kidd" Jordan. Siblings include flutist Kent Jordan, singer Stephanie Jordan, and violinist Rachel Jordan.
1981	Bermuda based reggae singer Collie Buddz was born (nee Colin Harper) in New Orleans in 1981.

AUGUST 22
1936	Rockabilly great Dale Hawkins (nee Delmar Allen Hawkins) was born in Goldmine, Louisiana in 1936; Hawkins came to national fame in 1957 when his swamp flavored "Susie Q" made it to No. 2 on the R&B Chart and No. 27 on the Pop chart; follow ups to the rock classic included "La-Do-Da-Da" (#32 in 1958), "A House, A Car and A Wedding Ring" (#88 in 1958), and "Class Cutter (Yeah Yeah)" (#52, 1959); Hawkins got into producing in the early 60's, working with John Fred & His Playboy Band, Joe Stampley, The Five Americans (including the Top 10 hit "Western Union"), Bruce Channel ("Hey Baby", a No. 1 hit in 1962), and others; after a long layoff, Hawkins returned to the music scene and released "Wildcat Tamer", his first album in 30 years, in 1999. Hawkins passed away on February 13, 2010 in Little Rock, AR at age 73.
1977	New Orleans-born drummer Lawrence "Judge" Riley passed away in Chicago in 1977 at age 68.
1999	Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was profiled on "CBS News Sunday Morning" in 1999. The lengthy segment showed Gatemouth at the New Orleans House of Blues, visiting the Louisiana Music Factory, and relaxing at his home in Slidell, Louisiana. The piece was in honor of Brown's 50th anniversary as a recording artist.

AUGUST 23
1894	Late bass player John Lindsay was born in New Orleans (Algiers) in 1894. John, the brother of Herb (violin) and "Little Joe" Lindsay (drums), played with Armand Piron's band in the early 20's after serving in the U.S. Army. He later moved to Chicago, worked with King Oliver's band, recorded with Jelly Roll Morton, and toured with Louis Armstrong. He recorded with Jimmie Noone, Sidney Bechet, and many others. Lindsay passed away in Chicago in 1950.
1923	Cajun fiddler, vocalist and songwriter Adam Hebert was born (Joseph Adam Hebert) in Grand Marais, LA in 1923. Hebert penned over 50 songs during his career, including the Cajun music staples "La Pointe aux Pins," "Le Moulin," "Ouvre Cette Porte," "J'aimerais Connaitre" and "La Valse de ma Cherie." He passed away in 2010 at age 87.
1942	Noted bass & sousaphone player and educator Walter Payton was born in New Orleans in 1942. Payton (the father of jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton) played with several brass bands, performed at Preservation Hall, and also led his own jazz combos. As a studio musician, he can be heard on recordings by Aaron Neville, Lee Dorsey, Harry Connick Jr., Kermit Ruffins, Leroy Jones, and many others. Payton passed away in 2010 at age 68.
1952	Late R&B/Soul vocalist Dalton Reed was born in Cade, LA in 1952
1988	Country crooner Hank Williams Jr.'s album "Wild Streak" was certified gold (sales exceeding 500,000 units) by the RIAA in 1988
1990	Country blues great Boogie Bill Webb passed away in New Orleans in 1990 at age 66
1991	The single "Brand New Man" by duo Brooks & Dunn hit No. 1 on the Country chart in 1991.
2003	Springhill, Louisiana native Trace Adkins was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2003.

AUGUST 24
1959	"Sea of Love" by Lake Charles native Phil Phillips peaked at the #2 position on the Billboard Pop Chart in 1959. The tune hit #1 on the R&B Chart in October of 1959.
1968	"Already It's Heaven" by Shreveport native David Houston hit #1 on the Country Chart in 1968.
1978	Legendary trumpeter, singer, recording artist, nightclub star, and Grammy winner Louis Prima passed away in New Orleans in 1978 at the age of 67. Prima had been in a coma for the previous 35 months after undergoing surgery to remove a brain stem tumor.
1983	Rocker Jerry Lee Lewis' fifth wife, Shawn Stevens, died of an accidental methadone overdose at their home in Mississippi in 1983; the couple had been married for less than three months
1991	"Everybody Plays The Fool" by Aaron Neville entered the Billboard Pop Chart on this day in 1991. It eventually reached the #8 spot (and #1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart).

AUGUST 25
1901	Future jazz legend Louis Armstrong was baptised at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 3200 Canal Street in New Orleans in 1901.
1918	Late trad jazz drummer Freddie Kohlman was born in New Orleans in 1918. Kohlman studied under Louis Cottrell, Sr. and Manuel Manetta, and played his first professional gig with the Morgan Brothers at age 11. His lengthy career included stints in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. After returning to New Orleans, Kohlman worked with the Dukes of Dixieland, the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, the Onward Brass Band, and others.
1939	Swamp pop legend, soul singer, horn player and club owner G.G. Shinn was born (George Stanley Shinn) in Franklin, Louisiana on August 25, 1939. His career included stints with The Boogie Kings, TSC Trucking Company, Roller Coasters, Hot Damn Band, The Flat Tops, and Chase. Shinn passed away on August 7, 2018 at age 78
1958	"Just A Dream" by teen heart throb Jimmy Clanton hit #1 on the R&B Chart in 1958. Clanton's backing band on the track included Huey "Piano" Smith, Earl King, Lee Allen, and Red Tyler.
1969	Blues guitarist Troy Turner was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1969
1979	"Groove City" by 70's New Orleans funk group Chocolate Milk entered the Billboard R&B Chart in 1979.
1950	Late singer and songwriter Willy DeVille (real name William Borsay) was born in New York in 1950; the former leader of Mink DeVille moved to New Orleans in the late 80's; his 1990 album, "Victory Mixture", paid tribute to New Orleans music, with guest appearances by Dr. John, Barbara George, Allen Toussaint, and Eddie Bo.

AUGUST 26
1960	Jazz saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis was born in New Orleans in 1960.
1972	"Power of Love" by Simmesport, LA native Joe Simon hit No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart in 1972
1993	Legendary Zydeco accordionist Rockin' Dopsie (Alton Joseph Rubin) passed away in Opelousas, LA in 1993 at age 61.

AUGUST 27
1909	Late tenor sax giant and jazz innovator Lester Young was born in Woodville, MS; he moved to New Orleans as an infant and began to learn music from his father; he moved to Minneapolis in 1920 where he played with his family's band (which included his brother Lee Young, a noted New Orleans-born drummer and record producer); Young later went on to stardom working with such notables as Count Basie and Billie Holiday.
1930	Late trombonist Jack Delaney was born in New Orleans in 1930; Delaney worked with Alvin Alcorn, Sharkey Bonano, Tony Almerico, George Girard, Pete Fountain, Leon Kelner, and others
1940	Late Zydeco accordionist Fernest Arceneaux (aka "The New Prince of Accordion") was born in Carencro, LA in 1940.
1965	New Birth Brass Band trombonist Reginald Steward was born in New Orleans in 1965. Steward worked with Rebirth Brass band before joining New Birth.
1971	Pianist and Louis Armstrong's second wife Lil Hardin Armstrong suffered a heart attack and died while playing "St. Louis Blues" at a Louis Armstrong tribute concert in Chicago in 1971. She had worked with Freddie Keppard in Chicago before joining King Oliver's band, where she later hooked up with Armstrong; Hardin appeared on his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, and co-wrote the Pops classic, "Struttin' with Some Barbeque."
2010	Harry Connick Jr. appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2010, discussing the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. See video and transcript.

AUGUST 28
1892	Trad jazz cornetist Thomas "Mutt" Carey was born in Hahnville, LA in 1892; Mutt joined brother Jack Carey's band in 1913, then replaced Lewis Matthews in Kid Ory's band in 1914; he briefly played with Lawrence Duhe's band in Chicago in 1918, but returned to New Orleans to escape the cold; he moved to California in 1919 to rejoin Ory and they recorded as Spike's Seven Pods of Pepper in 1922 ("Ory's Creole Trombone" and "Society Blues" were the first jazz recordings by an African-American band from New Orleans); Carey took over Ory's band when he left for Chicago in 1925; he joined Ory's band again in 1944 and toured with him until 1947; Carey passed away in Elsinore, CA in 1948.
1892	Dixieland jazz trumpeter and vocalist Tommy Yetta passed away in New Orleans in 2002 at age 72; Yetta was a staple of the New Orleans music scene for over 50 years; he performed at Maison Bourbon, Crazy Shirley's, the Famous Door, Court of Two Sisters, and the Old French Opera House, among others; he was a regular at the French Quarter Festival, and appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival over 25 times.
1941	Bass guitar great Erving Charles Jr. was born in New Orleans in 1941. Charles was a member of Fats Domino's band for 20 years. He also worked with Dave Bartholomew, Snooks Eaglin, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and many others. Charles passed away in 2003 at age 61.
2003	The MTV Video Music Awards aired live from NYC in 2003. The event included a performance and smooching by Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

AUGUST 29
1922	The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, led by cornetist Paul Mares, made their first recordings for the Gennett label in Chicago in 1922.
1927	Cajun and country music star Jimmy C. Newman was born (Jimmy Yeve Newman) in High Point, LA in 1927. Newman first worked with Chuck Guillory in the late 40's. He was the first Cajun singer to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry (in 1956), and still performs regularly at the Opry.
1949	Master percussionist and music educator Kufaru Mouton was born (Aaron Oscar Mouton Jr.) in New Orleans in 1949; Kufaru recorded with the Neville Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Rockin' Jake Band, Andy J. Forest, The Revealers, and others. He passed away in 2006 at age 56.
1952	Guitarist and vocalist Dave Malone (of The Radiators) was born in New Orleans in 1952.
1958	Alan Freed's "Big Beat Show" opened at the Fox Theatre in Brooklyn, NY in 1958; performers included Frankie Avalon, Jimmy Clanton, Bobby Freeman, The Elegants, Bill Haley & the Comets and Chuck Berry.
1964	Irma Thomas and The Standells were musical guests on ABC's "American Bandstand" in 1964. Thomas performed "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is."
1979	Multi-talented musician Andre Bohren (aka Dirty Johnny of Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes) was born in 1979.
1987	"Born To Boogie" by Shreveport native Hank Williams Jr. hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1987
1998	Fighting and a chair-throwing melee erupted during a No Limit Records concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan in 1998. The violence led Pontiac's mayor to consider banning future rap concerts. Officials later backed down after protests from the ACLU.
1998	Harmonica whiz Rockin' Jake was declared "Brisket King of New Orleans" at The New Orleans Musicians BBQ Cook-Off held in conjunction with the New Orleans Balloon Festival at the Fair Grounds in 1999
2005	Heavy metal vocalist Glenn Rambo passed away in Violet, Louisiana on (or about) August 29, 2005 at age 34. Rambo was a drowning victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and susequent flooding. He performed with Nuclear Crucifixion, Soilent Green, and several other local hardcore metal bands.
2005	Jazz drummer John Robichaux passed away in New Orleans on (or about) August 29, 2005 at age 90. Robichaux was a drowning victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and susequent flooding. He was a longtime member of the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra.
2005	Local icon Eddie "Mr. Eddie' Gabriel passed away in New Orleans on (or about) August 29, 2005 at age 95. He was a drowning victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and susequent flooding. "Mr. Eddie" entertained millions of Pat O'Brien's visitors, playing an aluminum tray with thimbled fingers in The Piano Bar. He invented the act in the 1940's, and performed six nights a week through August 27, 2005.
2006	New Orleans R&B legend Fats Domino was presented with a National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush in New Orleans in 2006; The medal was a replacement medal for the one -- originally awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1998 -- that was lost in the flood waters resulting from Hurricane Katrina. (photo)

AUGUST 30
1898	Legendary cornetist Henry Kid Rena was born in New Orleans in 1898; Rena played in the Colored Waif's Home band with Louis Armstrong and later replaced Armstrong in Kid Ory's band; he formed the Dixieland Jazz Band in the early 20's and also led the Tuxedo Brass Band for many years.
1908	Late bandleader and vocalist Willie Bryant was born in New Orleans in 1908; Bryant was a dancer and singer in the 20's; he fronted the Apollo Theater house band in the mid-30's, and was also a long time emcee at the Apollo (he was often referred to as the "Mayor of Harlem"); Bryant moved to the west coast in the 50's and resumed deejay work; he passed away in Los Angeles in 1964
1922	The New Orleans Rhythm Kings recorded "Tiger Rag" for the Gennett label in Chicago in 1922
1929	Drummer and string bassist Placide Adams was born in New Orleans in 1929; Adams worked with many local jazz legends, as well as R&B greats, such as Clyde McPhatter and Ruth Brown; he was also longtime leader of the Onward Brass Band; Adams passed away in New Orleans in 2003.
1929	Former Orleans Parish coroner and jazz trumpeter Dr. Frank Minyard was born (Franklin Earl Minyard, Jr.) in New Orleans in 1929. Minyard performed socially with his band, Dr. Jazz & The Deadbeats. Minyard passed away on September 15, 2020 at age 91.
1982	Trad jazz cornetist Natty Dominique passed away in Chicago in 1982 at age 86
1988	Influential jazz drummer and composer James Black passed away in New Orleans in 1988 at age 48.

AUGUST 31
1899	Trad jazz banjo player and guitarist Bill Eastwood was born in New Orleans in 1899; Eastwood recorded with the Halfway House Orchestra, New Orleans Rhythm Kings, and the Norman Brownlee Jazz Band
1937	Bluesman Bobby Parker was born in Lafayette, LA in 1937; Parker moved to Los Angeles with his family at age 6; his professional music career began in the 1950's as a sideman with Bo Diddley and Hucklebuck Williams; he went solo in 1961 and scored a hit with the single "Watch Your Step"; he signed with Black Top Records in 1993 and recorded his first full length solo album, "Bent Out of Shape", and a second CD in 1995 titled "Shine Me Up", which earned him two 1996 W.C. Handy Award Nominations.
1933	Tenor sax legend Herman Riley was born in New Orleans in 1933. Herman got his professional start while still in high school when Lee Allen hired him for recording sessions in New Orleans. He later worked with Count Basie, Benny Carter, Jimmy Smith, Joe Williams, Donald Byrd, Gene Ammons, Blue Mitchell, Quincy Jones, and countless other musical giants. Riley passed away in Los Angeles in 2007 at age 73.
1948	Musician, arranger and songwriter Charlie Brent was born (Charles M. Brent Jr.) in New Orleans in 1948; Brent was a long time associate of Luther Kent, and also worked with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Lenny McDaniel, The Mambo Brothers, The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, and others. He passed away in 2006 at age 58.
1968	Multi-talented vocalist Tricia Boutte (aka "Sista Teedy") was born in New Orleans in 1968.
1969	The two-day New Orleans Pop Festival (poster) kicked off in at the Baton Rouge International Speedway in Prairieville, Louisiana in 1969 (Louisiana Speedway, Gonzales, LA); the line-up included Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, It's A Beautiful Day, Country Joe and the Fish, and The Byrds.
1996	"She Never Lets It Go To Her Heart" by Tim McGraw hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1996.

Satchmo.com - On This Day in Louisiana Music History