On This Day in Louisiana Music History


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Satchmo.com - On This Day in Louisiana Music History

Jan

SEPTEMBER 1
1900	Trad jazz drummer Alfred Williams was born in New Orleans in 1900; Williams played with Sam Morgan, Manuel Perez and Armand Piron early in his career; he marched with brass bands beginning with Tuxedo Brass Band in the 20's to the Eureka Brass Band in the early 60's; Williams played regularly at Preservation Hall until his death in 1963.
1908	Late Cajun songwriter and accordion legend Lawrence Walker was born in Duson, Louisiana in 1908. He 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.
1956	"Let The Good Times Roll" (Aladdin 3325) by Shirley & Lee (Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee) hit #1 on the R&B Chart in 1956. It held on to the top spot for 3 weeks, and remained in the charts for a total of 19 weeks. The song, recorded at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans, made it to #20 on the Pop chart.
1995	New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong was honored with a commemorative stamp in ceremonies held at Armstrong Park in 1995. Satchmo disciples Wynton Marsalis, Doc Cheatham, Al Hirt, and Nicholas Payton participated in the event.
1997	Saxophone player Charles "Alto" Taylor passed away in New Orleans in 1997 at age 22; Taylor was a member of the Lil Rascals Brass Band.
2004	Harmonica player and blues progenitor Raful Neal passed away in Baton Rouge, LA in 2004 at age 68. Neal picked up his first harp the day after catching Little Walter play at the Temple Room in Baton Rouge in 1954. His early backing bands included the likes of Buddy Guy and Lazy Lester. His last release was the 2001 Hoodoo Kings album, a collaboration with Eddie Bo and Tabby Thomas. Neal raised 10 children, many of whom have followed in his musical footsteps.

SEPTEMBER 2
1940	Former teen idol Jimmy Clanton was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1940. Clanton first gained national popularity with his 1958 hit "Just A Dream" (#1 on the R&B Chart, #4 on the Pop Chart). Follow-ups included the Top 10 hits "Go, Jimmy Go" (1959) and "Venus in Blue Jeans" (1962). He also had starring roles the films "Go, Johnny, Go!" (1959) and "Teenage Millionaire" (1961).
1943	Soul singer Joe Simon was born in Simmesport, LA in 1943; Simon had over 40 singles in the R&B charts in the 60s and 70s, including No. 1 hits, "The Chokin' Kind" (a Grammy winner), "Power of Love" and "Get Down, Get Down (Get On The Floor)".
1948	NFL Hall of Famer and sportscaster Terry Bradshaw was born in Shreveport, LA in 1948. Bradshaw, an occasional Gospel singer (!), recorded an album with Jake Hess in 1996.
1954	Jazz guitarist, composer and educator Steve Masakowski was born in New Orleans in 1954; Masakowski is a noted solo artist and session player, and he is also a long-time member of contemporary jazz group Astral Project.
1956	Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Fats Domino made his first national TV appearance in 1956 (on The Steve Allen Show).
1995	Jerry Lee Lewis was among the perfomers at The Concert for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 1995 (the Hall of Fame had officially opened the day before). Headliners at the concert included Lewis, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Al Green, Little Richard and Bruce Springsteen.
2005	Singer and songwriter Barry Cowsill passed away in New Orleans on (or about) September 2, 2005 at age 50. He was a drowning victim of the Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and susequent flooding.
2005	The Katrina benefit "A Concert for Hurricane Relief" aired on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC in 2005. The special opened with a performance of "Bourbon Street Parade" by Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Lucien Barbarin and Charles Neville. Other performers included Tim McGraw, Aaron Neville and Faith Hill. The show was noted for co-host Kanye West's controversial statement "George Bush doesn't care about black people."
2010	Soul singer and songwriter Joseph "Diamond Joe" Maryland passed away in Terrebonne Parish in 2010 at age 73. Maryland (working with Allen Toussaint) released a handful of singles in the 1960's before disappearing from the New Orleans music scene.
2010	Dr. John was an interview guest on the PBS late-night talk show Tavis Smiley in 2010.

SEPTEMBER 3
1948	Trad jazz cornetist and bandleader Thomas "Mutt" Carey passed away in Elsinore, CA in 1948 at age 56; 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
1965	Grammy winning accordionist, bandleader, bead slinger and tireless cultural ambassador Terrance Simien was born in Mallet, LA in 1965.
1973	Noted New Orleans clarinetist and bandleader Albert Nicholas passed away in Basle, Switzerland in 1973 at age 73. Nicholas recorded with King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Red Allen, and many others. He moved to Europe in 1953 where he happily toured and resided for his final 20 years.
2005	Hurricane Katrina coverage continued on CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2005. Larry's guests included Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Harry Connick Jr. and Irvin Mayfield. See transcript pt 1 and transcript pt 2.
2010	Noted jazz saxophonist, composer, and founder of the AltSax Record label Noah Howard passed away in 2010, while vacationing in Southern France. The New Orleans native was 67. Read more.

SEPTEMBER 4
1899	Late trumpeter and bandleader Johnny Bayersdorffer was born in New Orleans in 1899.
1927	Late DJ, musician and social activist Donald "Moose" Jamison was born in Lafayette, LA in 1927.
1934	Late Texas bluesman U.P. Wilson (aka the "Texas Guitar Tornado") was born (nee Huary Perry Wilson) in Shreveport, LA in 1934. Stevie Ray Vaughan called Wilson, "My greatest guitar inspiration for real blues."
1955	WWOZ and Louisiana Music Factory co-founder, journalist, producer and filmmaker Jerry Brock was born in Amarillo, TX in 1955.
1997	A "mini-riot" broke out at a Master P concert at Atlanta's Doraville International Ballroom in 1997; police estimated that 12,000 ticketholders were admitted to the venue, which is listed as a 5,000-capacity hall; the night was marked by police dispersing the crowd with pepper spray, a fight and, finally, the cancellation of P's set
2001	Rhonda Adkins, wife of country singer Trace Adkins, gave birth to their daughter, Brianna Rhea Adkins, in 2001.
2005	Hurricane Katrina coverage continued on CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2005. Larry's guests included Herman Leonard and Wynton Marsalis (Wynton performed "St. James Infirmary" and "Down By The Riverside"). See show transcript.
2008	Noted Zydeco accordionist and bandleader Fernest Arceneaux (aka "The New Prince of Accordion") passed away in Lafayette, LA in 2008 at age 68.

SEPTEMBER 5
1917	Specialty Records founder and producer Art Rupe was born in Greenberg, PA in 1917; Rupe, based in Los Angeles, discovered 17 year old Lloyd Price on a talent hunt in New Orleans in 1952; Rupe produced Price's No. 1 hit "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" using Dave Bartholomew's band (with Fats Domino on piano); later Specialty hits included Guitar Slim's "The Things I Used To Do", Little Richard's "Tutti Fruiti" and "Long Tall Sally", and Larry Williams' "Short Fat Fannie", among others. Rupe was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
1934	Late trumpeter and long-time Olympia Brass Band leader Milton Batiste Jr. was born in New Orleans in 1934. Batiste passed away on March 29, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
1970	"All For the Love of Sunshine" by Shreveport, Louisiana native Hank Williams Jr. (with The Mike Curb Congregation) reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1970; the tune, Hank's first No. 1 hit, was from the film "Kelly's Heroes".
1934	Swamp Boogie Queen Katie Webster passed away in League City, TX in 1999 at age 63; the noted blues singer and pianist played on numerous sessions for Jay Miller of Excello Records and Eddie Schuler of Goldband Records in the 1950's and 60's, including recordings by Guitar Junior (Lonnie Brooks), Clarence Garlow, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Lightnin' Slim, Phil Phillips and Clifton Chenier.

SEPTEMBER 6
1877	Cornet king and jazz pioneer Charles "Buddy" Bolden was born at 319 Howard Street in New Orleans in 1877. Bolden is considered by many as the originator of jazz. He formed his first band circa 1895, playing at dances, funerals and parades. A powerful player, he was dubbed "the blowingest man since Gabriel" by Jelly Roll Morton. Bolden began showing signs of mental illness in 1906, and was committed to a mental hospital the following year. He remained institutionalized until his death in 1931.
1933	Noted bluegrass mandolin picker and songwriter Buzz Busby was born (Bernarr Busbice) in Eros, LA in 1933; here's more on Busby from Patuxent Music. Busby hosted the Hayloft Hoedown television show in Washington DC in the mid-fifties (he was in the FBI before pursuing music fulltime), and later returned to the Bayou State to perform on the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
1946	Louis Armstrong and a pre-All-Stars small group recorded "I Want A Little Girl", "Sugar", "Blues For Yesterday", and "Blues In The South" for the Victor label in Los Angeles in 1946. The group, which recorded as Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven, included Barney Bigard and Zutty Singleton.
1953	Baton Rouge blues drummer Lester "Pick" Delmore was born in New Orleans in 1953. Delmore is a member of Larry Garner's band and has also recorded with Clarence Edwards.
1985	Rapper Webbie was born (nee Webster Gradney, Jr.) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1985.
1985	Blues and jazz pianist and vocalist Little Brother Montgomery (born Eurreal Wilford Montgomery) passed away in Chicago in 1985 at age 79. The Kentwood, LA native worked with Kid Ory, Edith Wilson, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, and many others.
1995	Bruce Hornsby and Branford Marsalis performed the National Anthem before an Orioles and Angels baseball game at Oriole Park in Baltimore in 1995 (video). The game was significant as it was Cal Ripken, Jr.'s 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a record established by Lou Gehrig in 1939. Ripken's streak extended to 2,632 games before he finally decided to take a day off in 1998.

SEPTEMBER 7
1899	Late trad jazz drummer "Little" Joe Lindsay was born in New Orleans in 1899. He was the brother of musicians Johnny (bass & trombone) and Herb Lindsey (violin). Joe was a boyhood pal of Louis Armstrong, and the two occasionally played together in a pickup band.
1900	Late accordionist and Cajun music pioneer Amedee Breaux was born in Rayne, LA in 1900. Amede recorded with his brothers Ophe on guitar, and Cleopha on the fiddle as the Breaux Freres (Breaux Brothers). The group, along with sister Cleoma, recorded "Ma Blonde Est Partie" for Columbia in April of 1929. This was the first recording of the Cajun classic "Jole Blon". The family is featured on Columbia's "Abbeville Breakdown" collection.
1912	Late trumpet great Alvin Alcorn was born in New Orleans in 1912. Alcorn worked with Clarence Desdunes and A.J. Piron before leaving New Orleans to join Don Albert's band in the early 1930's. He later joined Kid Ory's band in California, and appeared in the 1955 film "The Benny Goodman Story" with Kid Ory.
1921	Late trumpeter and bandleader Joe Newman was born in New Orleans in 1921. Newman's career included stints with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Illinois Jacquet, and Benny Goodman. Apart from his 25+ albums as a leader, he can be heard on recordings by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin, among many others. Newman passed away in New York City in 1992 at age 70.
1959	"I'm Gonna Get Married" by Lloyd Price hit #1 on the R&B Chart in 1959. It was Price's fourth and last No. 1 R&B hit, although 4 more songs were able to crack the top 10.

SEPTEMBER 8
1927	Late bluesman Harmonica Fats (nee Harvey Blackston) was born in McDade, LA in 1927. Blackston moved to L.A. in 1946 for work outside of music. He took up harp playing in earnest after an auto wreck in 1954, and changed his name to Harmonica Fats in 1961. He recorded and toured with Bernie Pearl, and appeared in films including Oliver Stone's "The Doors". A long time resident of California, Fats passed away in January of 2000 (more).
1928	Vocalist Earl Nelson was born in Lake Charles, LA in 1928; Nelson had hits in 1957 with the Hollywood Flames ("Buzz, Buzz, Buzz"), in 1963 ("Harlem Shuffle" with Bob & Earl), and again as Jackie Lee (hitting the Top 20 with "The Duck") in the late 60's; Nelson passed away in Los Angeles in 2008
1947	Musician and composer A.J. Loria was born in New Orleans in 1947.
1950	Musician, songwriter and poet Zachary Richard was born in Lafayette, LA in 1950.
2005	Hurricane Katrina coverage continued on CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2005. Larry's guests included New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass and singer Aaron Neville (Aaron performed "Louisiana 1927"). See show transcript.

SEPTEMBER 9
1965	New Orleans "bounce" music pioneer DJ Jubilee was born (Jerome Temple) in New Orleans in 1965.
1902	Late trombonist Earl Humphrey was born in New Orleans in 1902. Earl was brother to Percy Humphrey (trumpet) and Willie Humphrey (clarinet). His father was noted clarinetist Willie Humphrey, Sr., and his grandfather, "Professor" Jim Humphrey, was a celebrated music teacher. Rarely recorded, Humphrey can be heard on the "Sizzling The Blues" collection with Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight, who also backed singers Genevieve Davis and Ann Cook on the set.
1919	New Orleans trad jazz trombonist Tom Ebbert was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1919; Tom was a founding member of the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble, and has also worked with Wallace Davenport, Pud Brown, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jacques Gauthe, and Lionel Ferbos & The Palm Court Jazz Band
1957	"Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" by Jerry Lee Lewis hit #1 on both the R&B and the Country charts in 1957. The rock & roll classic reached #3 on the Pop chart.
1967	"Gimme Little Sign" by Shreveport native Brenton Wood entered the Billboard Top 40 in 1967. The song remained on the chart for 10 weeks, peaking at #9.
1977	Late New Orleans rapper Soulja Slim was born (James Tapp) in New Orleans in 1977; Slim was gunned down in New Orleans on 11/26/2003.
1991	Cajun music prodigy Hunter Hayes was born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in 1991.
1999	Pop star Britney Spears performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999. Britney was nominated for awards in 3 categories, but was shut out at the event.
2001	Harry Connick Jr. performed "America The Beautiful" prior to the men's final of the 2001 U.S. Open tennis tournament in Flushing, NY in 2001.
2005	The Hurricane Katrina benefit special "S.O.S. - The BET Relief Telethon" aired live on BET in 2005. Guests and performers included Wynton Marsalis, Juvenile, Master P, Lil Wayne & Bryan "Baby" Williams of Cash Money Records, Usher, Alicia Keys, and others.
2005	The Hurricane Katrina benefit special "Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast" aired live on multiple networks in 2005. Performers included Randy Newman, U2, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Neil Young, Foo Fighters, Mariah Carey, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, Kany West, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Dixie Chicks, Robert Randolph and Dr. John. See story / photos / video clips.
2010	The 2010 NFL season kicked off in New Orleans. The nationally televised pre-game show ("NFL Opening Kickoff 2010") featured a performance by the Dave Matthews Band with guests Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffins, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Prior to the game (Saints vs Vikings), Harry Connick Jr. performed "When The Saints Go Marching In."
2010	Jerry Lee Lewis was the musical guest on NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" in 2010. Lewis performed "Rockin' My Life Away."

SEPTEMBER 10
1925	Late singer, songwriter, bandleader and R&B pioneer Roy Brown was born in New Orleans in 1925; noted for his classic, "Good Rockin' Tonight", Brown had a string of 16 R&B hits between 1948 and 1957; he worked with Dave Bartholomew in the late 50's, recording rockers such as "Let the Four Winds Blow", "Diddy-Y-Diddy-O" and "Saturday Night"; Brown fell out of the limelight in the 60's, but he began a comeback after an acclaimed performance with the Johnny Otis Revue at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival; fittingly, his last public appearance was at the 1981 New Orleans Jazz Fest; he died 10 days later of a heart attack at his California home
1936	Jazz drummer and bandleader Tony "Oulaboula" Bazley was born in New Orleans in 1936. Bazley has worked with Eric Dolphy, Wes Montgomery, Marcus Belgrave, Roy Ayers, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, and others.
1998	Rapper Master P (along with No Limit Records label mates Fiend, Silkk The Shocker, Snoop Dogg, Mystikal, and Mia X) performed "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1998.
1999	Zydeco pioneer Beau Jocque (nee Andrus Espre) passed away from a heart attack at his home in Kinder, Louisiana in 1999 at age 45. He had performed the previous evening at the Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl in New Orleans.
2005	Louisiana music legend Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown passed away in Orange, TX in 2005 at age 81; Brown, suffering from inoperable lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease, had evacuated to Texas shortly before Hurricane Katrina. His Slidell, Louisiana home was destroyed by Katrina related storm surge.
2005	The Hurricane Katrina benefit special "React Now: Music and Relief" aired live on MTV, VH1 and CMT in 2005. Performers included Coldplay, Hank Williams Jr., U2, Pearl Jam, Allen Toussaint, Norah Jones, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Thomas King, Rolling Stones, 3 Doors Down, Neville Brothers, Green Day, Marc Broussard, The Radiators, and others. See photos.

SEPTEMBER 11
1893	Late jazz cornetist Sidney Desvigne was born in New Orleans in 1893. Desvigne's early career included stints with the Excelsior Brass Band, Maple Leaf Orchestra, Fate Marable's band on the S.S. Capitol (he recorded "Frankie and Johnny" with Fate Marable's Society Syncopators in 1924), and as bandleader on the S.S. Island Queen and the S.S. Capitol. Desvigne left New Orleans after the war and ran a night club in Los Angeles.
1899	Former Louisiana governor, singer and songwriter Jimmie Davis was born in Quitman, Louisiana in 1899. Davis served as governer of Louisiana from 1944-48 and 1960-64. He wrote hundreds of songs, most notably the classic, "You Are My Sunshine." Davis was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He passed away in November, 2000 at age 101.
1933	R&B and jazz organist Baby Face Willette was born (Roosevelt Willette) in New Orleans, LA (or Little Rock, Arkansas?). Popular in the 1960s, Willette worked with Johnny Otis, Roy Brown, Guitar Slim, Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, and others.
1958	Lloyd Price recorded his hit "Stagger Lee" at Bell Sound Studio in New York City in 1958. The track went on to top both the Pop and R&B Charts for 4 weeks, and sell over a million copies. It was included in Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (Issue RS963).
1967	Crooner, musican, composer and actor Harry Connick Jr. was born in New Orleans in 1967.
1989	Are you ready for some football? The Hank Williams Jr. tune "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" was used as the theme song for ABC-TV's "Monday Night Football" for the first time in 1989. The lyrics were changed to "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Monday Night".
2001	Former Bourbon Street jazz vocalist and New Orleans native Betty Farmer died in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Farmer was 62, and had only been working in the WTC for three weeks prior to the attack.
2007	Keyboard player, vocalist, songwriter and producer Willie Tee (Wilson Turbinton) passed away in 2007 at age 63. The New Orleans native released several singles in the 1960s (including the Top 20 R&B hit "Teasin' You") and later formed funk band The Gaturs with his brother, saxophonist Earl Turbinton. He also produced and provided the backing for the first 2 Wild Magnolias albums. Read more on Willie.

SEPTEMBER 12
1916	Trombone legend Waldren "Frog" Joseph was born in New Orleans in 1916. "Frog," who passed away in 2004, was the father of trombonist Charles Joseph and tuba/sousaphonist Kirk Joseph.
1956	Pianist, composer and producer David Torkanowsky was born in New Orleans in 1956.
1900	Pioneering drummer Abbey "Chinee" Foster passed away in New Orleans in 1962 at age 62; Foster worked with the Original Tuxedo Orchestra (who he recorded with in the mid 1920's), Buddy Petit, and others before illness forced him to retire in the early 1930s; he later returned to music, playing regularly at Preservation Hall (clips of Foster are availabe on the video, "Baby Dodds New Orleans Drumming").
1996	The Neville Brothers, Barbra Streisand, Chicago, The Eagles, and poet Maya Angelou performed at a Beverly Hills, CA fundraiser for President Clinton in 1996.
1997	New Orleans born composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) was one of eight classical musicians honored by the U.S. Postal Service with commemorative stamps issued in 1997
2009	President Barack Obama nominated musician, composer and educator Irvin Mayfield for a position on the National Council on the Arts in 2009 (Mayfield was sworn in as a member on March 26, 2010).

SEPTEMBER 13
1893	Late clarinetist Larry Shields was born in New Orleans in 1893; Shields joined the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in Chicago in 1916, staying with them until 1921; he then moved to California and fronted his own bands; Shields returned to New Orleans in the 30's and joined a reformed ODJB from 1936-38; he retired from music and moved back to the West Coast in the early 40's; Shields died of a heart attack in Los Angeles in 1953
1899	Late brass and reeds musician Frank "Big Boy" Goudie was born in Youngsville, LA in 1899.
1931	Popular R&B singer Joseph Augustus (aka Joe August, "Mr. Google Eyes," "Mister G") was born (Joseph Charles Augustus) in New Orleans in 1931.
1931	Blues drummer, vocalist, and label owner (Almeda Records; Ivory Records) Ivory Lee Semien (aka "King Ivory") was born in Washington, LA in 1931. Semien worked with noted Texas steel guitarist Hop Wilson. They first recorded together for Goldband Records ("Chicken Stuff") in the late 1950s.

SEPTEMBER 14
1916	Late boogie pianist Archibald was born (Leon T. Gross) in New Orleans in 1916. Archibald hit the R&B Top 10 in June of 1950 with the classic, "Stack-A-Lee (Parts I & II)." (see discography)
1927	Late reeds player Flo Anckle was born (Himas Floyd Anckle) in New Orleans in 1927. Flo co-wrote the Mardi Gras classic "Second Line Parts 1 & 2", and was the leader of the Majestic Brass Band. He passed away on May 16, 1994. (video clip)
1954	Singer, songwriter and occasional New Orleans resident Barry Cowsill was born in Newport, RI in 1954. He was a member of popular 1960s pop group The Cowsills, and was the brother of long-time New Orleans resident Susan Cowsill. Barry passed away in New Orleans in 2005, a victim of Hurricane Katrina related levee failures and flooding. Read more here.
1955	Little Richard recorded "Tutti-Frutti" (Specialty 561) at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studio in New Orleans in 1955. The rock 'n roll classic was written by Little Richard and New Orleanian Dorothy LaBostrie (who was called in to clean up the bawdy lyrics). Backing Little Richard on the song were Earl Palmer (drums), Frank Fields (bass), Justin Adams (guitar), Huey Smith (piano), Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax) and Lee Allen (tenor sax). The tune hit #2 on the R&B Chart and #17 on the Pop Chart. "Tutti-Frutti" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, and it was included in Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (Issue RS963).
1997	Sax great Auguste "Dimes" DuPont passed away in New Orleans in 1997 at age 68. Dupont played with Edgar Blanchard and the Gondoliers for 12 years and also performed with his uncle, noted guitarist and banjo player Danny Barker. He recorded with Ray Charles, Big Joe Turner, and others.
1998	Legendary New Orleans R&B singer Johnny Adams passed away in Baton Rouge, LA in 1998 at age 66 after a long battle with cancer; Johnny was regarded by fans, critics, and musicians throughout the world as one of the finest singers associated with New Orleans R&B and jazz
1999	Reeds player and bandleader Johnny Reininger passed away in New Orleans in 1999 at age 91. Reininger, a great clarinetist and sax player, led big bands in New Orleans from the 30's through the 50's, playing at the Jung Hotel Roof, Lenfant's, and the My-Oh-My Club.
2005	Hurricane Katrina coverage continued on CNN's "Larry King Live" in 2005. Larry's guests included New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Marc Broussard (Broussard performed "Home" with his dad, Ted Broussard). See show transcript.

SEPTEMBER 15
1902	Late trad jazz drummer and vocalist Sammy Penn was born in Morgan City, LA in 1902. Penn was a long time member of the Kid Thomas Band.
1903	Trad jazz trombonist Eddie Summers was born in New Orleans in 1903; Penn worked with A.J. Piron early in his career. He later worked regularly with Kid Sheik, and was with him at the opening of Preservation Hall in June of 1961.
1908	Late trumpeter and bandleader George "Kid Sheik" Colar was born (George Cola) in New Orleans in 1908. Kid Sheik studied with Wooden Joe Nicholas, and formed his first band in his teens. He was later known for his work with the Eureka Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band, and as a long time member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In his later years, he was married to pianist Sadie Goodson (sister of Billie Pierce). He was featured on the 1990 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival poster (image).
1911	Late swamp blues legend Silas Hogan was born in Westover, Louisiana in 1911.
1915	"The Jelly Roll Blues" by Jelly Roll Morton was published in 1915; it is regarded by many as the first work in true jazz style to be published. (image)
1950	Brass band legend Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen was born in New Orleans in 1950; the internationally known tuba totin' icon and Jackson Square brass band stalwart passed away on January 11, 2004 at age 53.
1965	New Orleans born tuba player and string bass pioneer Steve Brown passed away in Detroit in 1965 at age 75. Brown went to Chicago with brother Tom Brown's band in 1915; he joined the New Orleans Rhythm Kings in 1923; Brown later worked with Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman before settling in Detroit where he gigged with many local jazz groups.

SEPTEMBER 16
1931	Late bassist, session player and music instructor Richard Payne was born in New Orleans in 1931. He worked with countless musicians during his career including everyone from Ray Charles and Duke Ellington, to Professor Longhair and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Payne passed away in 2000 at age 68.
1952	R&B singer Roshell Anderson was born in Bogalusa, LA in 1952. Anderson made the R&B Charts in the early 70's with "Know What You're Doing When You Leave" and "Grapevine Will Lie Sometimes", both on the Sunburst label.
1953	Noted bass guitarist and prolific session man Michael Rhodes (interview) was born in West Monroe, Louisiana on September 16, 1953.
1957	Guitarist, singer and songwriter Tommy Malone was born in New Orleans, LA in 1957. Malone is noted for his work with the Subdudes, the short-lived supergroup Tiny Town, his solo releases, and session work.
1964	The Beatles performed before 12,000 fans at City Park Stadium in New Orleans in 1964 (tickets were $5.00 each). New Orleans R&B legend Clarence "Frogman" Henry opened the show for the Fab Four (Frogman also opened 17 other shows on the Beatles tour). New Orleans Mayor Victor H. Schiro had officially declared 09/16/64 as "Beatles Day in New Orleans."
1967	"My Elusive Dreams", a duet by (Bossier City, LA native) David Houston and Tammy Wynette, hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1967.
1972	Noted guitarist and bandleader Edgar Blanchard passed away in New Orleabs in 1972 at age 48.
1989	"Remember (The First Time)" by New Orleans native Eric Gable hit #1 on the Billboard R&B Chart in 1989.
1995	Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong were among ten jazz musicians honored with commemorative stamps by the USPS in ceremonies held at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1995. Other musicians featured were James P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Erroll Garner, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus.
1995	"I Like It, I Love It" by Tim McGraw hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1995. The tune held the top position for 5 weeks.
1997	Louis Armstrong was among the initial inductees as ASCAP unveiled its Jazz Wall of Fame in 1997
2005	The Neville Brothers and The Meters were musical guests on "Late Show with David Letterman" on this day in 2005. Aaron Neville, Art Neville, Charles Neville, Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr. and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste were joined by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Marcia Ball in a super funky rendition of "Fire on the Bayou" - watch the video.

SEPTEMBER 17
1900	Late trad jazz drummer George Henderson was born in New Orleans in 1900. Henderson led his own band (The Black Diamonds) in the early 1920s, and later worked with Sam Morgan's band, Captain John Handy, Billie & De De Pierce, and others. He recorded with Kid Thomas in 1951.
1902	Late trad jazz trombonist Louis Nelson (not to be confused with clarinetist Louis "Big Eye" Nelson) was born in New Orleans in 1902. Nelson's first gig was with Joe Gabriel's band in Thibodeaux in the early 20's; he next worked in New Orleans with Kid Thomas, Kid Harris and the Original Tuxedo Orchestra. He then spent 15 years with Sidney Desvigne's big band. Later associations included work with Kid Thomas, Percy Humphrey and at Preservation Hall. Nelson passed away in 1990 at age 87.
1959	New Orleans born clarinet great Omer Simeon passed away in New York City in 1959 at age 57. Simeon studied under Lorenzio Tio, Jr. in Chicago; he gigged briefly with King Oliver and had long stints with Earl Hines, Jimmy Lunceford, and Wilbur DeParis. Simeon is probably best remembered for his work on Jelly Roll Mortons classic recordings.
1988	"Joe Knows How To Live" by Lafayette, LA native Eddy Raven hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1988.
1994	Zydeco and cajun legend John Delafose passed away in Lawtell, LA in 1994 at age 55. His backing band, The Eunice Playboys, featured his son Geno Delafose.
1996	Late vocalist and drummer Jessie Hill passed away in New Orleans in 1996 at age 64. Hill made his mark on history with the 1960 Top 10 R&B classic, "Ooh Poo Pah Doo."
1997	Local TV station WNOL premiered their one hour documentary on trumpeter James Andrews in 1997. The special, titled "Satchmo of the Ghetto", was produced and narrated by Quincy Jones.
2001	Swamp blues man Arthur Guitar Kelly passed away in Baton Rouge, LA in 2001 at age 83.
2003	Rebirth Brass Band sax player James Durant passed away in New Orleans in 2003 at age 31.
2005	The Jazz at Lincoln Center Hurricane Katrina benefit special "Higher Ground: A Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert" aired live on PBS in 2005. Performers included Wynton Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Allen Toussaint, Aaron Neville, Art Neville, Terence Blanchard, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Jordan Family (Kent, Marlon, Stephanie, Rachel), and many others. See photos.
2011	Lil Wayne's ninth studio album "Tha Carter IV" entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at #1 in 2011. With sales of 964,000 in its first week, the album earned the biggest sales week for a hip-hop album (or any set by a male artist) since his own "Tha Carter III" bowed with 1.01 million in June of 2008. "The Carter IV" was Lil Wayne's third #1 album following "Tha Carter III" and "I Am Not a Human Being."
2011	The world premiere of the film "Dolphin Tale" was held in Los Angeles in 2011. Among those walking the red carpet were the film's co-stars Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr. Connick was accompanied by his wife, Jill Goodacre, and daughters Georgia, Kate, and Charlotte.

SEPTEMBER 18
1925	Late songwriter, producer, arranger and label owner William Boskent was born in Belle Chasse, LA in 1925.
1938	R&B and jazz drummer Walter "Popee" Lastee was born in New Orleans' 9th Ward in 1938. Lastee's family included drummer "Deacon" Frank Lastie, sax man David Lastie, trumpeter Melvin Lastie, and singer Betty Ann Lastie. His nephew is jazz drummer Herlin Riley. Popee died of a heart attack in Jackson Square on December 28, 1980 while playing "When The Saints Go Marching In."
1940	Songwriter Jack Hammer was born (arl Solomon Burroughs) in New Orleans in 1940; Hammer co-wrote the rock classic "Great Balls of Fire", popularized by Jerry Lee Lewis.
1964	Jazz drummer Jerry Anderson was born in New Orleans in 1964; Jerry has worked with Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers, among others.
1966	Disc jockey Duke "Poppa Stoppa" Thiele passed away in New Orleans in 1966 at age 45. Thiele hosted the popular "Poppa Stoppa Hour" at radio station WJMR during New Orleans R&B heyday of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
1975	Keyboard whiz Davell Crawford was born in New Orleans in 1975.
1994	Farm Aid VII was held in the Superdome in New Orleans in 1994. Performers included Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, Deana Carter, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, the Neville Brothers, and Wayne Toups.
1998	President and Mrs. Clinton hosted the nationally televised cultural showcase "Jazz: An Expression of Democracy" at the White House in 1998; the event, co-hosted by Wynton Marsalis, featured a film clip of Louis Armstrong (a classic performance of "Dinah"), and an appearance by Nicholas Payton (see transcript).
2002	Hackberry Ramblers founders Luderin Darbone and Edwin Duhon were presented with Heritage Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts in ceremonies held in Washington, DC in 2002. The Heritage Fellowships are the USA's highest honor in the field of folk and traditional arts.
2006	Country music legend Willie Nelson and four others were issued misdemeanor citations for possession of narcotic mushrooms and marijuana after their tour bus was stopped on Interstate 10 near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in 2006. Nelson and tour manager David Anderson later received $1,024 fines and 6 months of probation.

SEPTEMBER 19
1951	Singer, songwriter, producer, and former Big Easy resident Daniel Lanois was born in Hull, Quebec in 1951. One of the most sought-after producers of the 1980s and 1990s, Lanois founded Kingsway Studio in New Orleans in 1989. Lanois was behind the boards for the Neville Brothers' 1989 breakthrough album, "Yellow Moon" (the Nevilles picked up a Grammy for "Healing Chant"), and he also produced albums by U2, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, and Brian Blade, among others.
1952	Jazz writer and historian Tad Jones was born in New Orleans in 1952. Jones died January 1, 2007.
1964	Al Hirt's album "Sugar Lips" entered the Billboard Top 40 Albums chart in 1964. It remained on the chart for 20 weeks, peaking at the #9 position. Hirt received a Gold Record for the album in 1965.
1997	The VH1 music series "Storytellers", featuring a performance by Elton John, aired live from the French Quarter House of Blues in 1997. This was the first time Storytellers had ever aired live.
1999	Hodge, Louisiana native Glenn Sutton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999; Sutton won a Grammy in 1966 for "Almost Persuaded" (by David Houston), which he co-wrote with Billy Sherrill; he also wrote or shared credits on "I Don't Want to Play House" (Tammy Wynette), "What Made Milwaukee Famous (Made a Loser Out of Me)" (Jerry Lee Lewis), and dozens of other country classics.
2005	The New Orleans Saints played their first post-Hurricane Katrina "home" game - at Giants Stadium in New Jersey - in 2005. Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis performed the National Anthem and Irvin Mayfield performed "America The Beautiful" before kick-off. Gulf Coast rockers 3 Doors Down performed at halftime. The Saints lost to the Giants on the Monday Night Football match-up, 27-10.

SEPTEMBER 20
1885	Legendary jazz/ragtime composer and pianist Jelly Roll Morton was born (Ferdinand Joseph Le Menthe) in New Orleans in 1885 (this is one of various dates - exact d.o.b. is unknown). Morton is considered the crucial figure in bridging 19th century blues, vaudeville song, and ragtime with the small jazz ensembles of the 1920's; the gifted pianist, arranger and composer penned many tunes that became jazz standards, among them "King Porter Stomp", "Wolverine Blues", "Black Bottom Stomp", "Milenburg Joys", "The Pearls", "Doctor Jazz", and "Shreveport Stomp".
1929	Pianist, composer, producer, and session man Eddie Bo was born (Edwin Joseph Bocage) in New Orleans in 1929. Bo's prolific recording output included "Tell It Like It Is," "Every Dog Has His Day," "Check Mr. Popeye," "Pass The Hatchet" and "Hook and Sling" (a Top 20 R&B hit in 1969). Writing credits included "I'm Wise" (made famous by Little Richard as "Slippin' and Slidin'"), "My Dearest Darling" (a Top 10 R&B hit for Etta James), and the Oliver Morgan classic "Who Shot The LaLa." Bo passed away in 2009 at age 79. See EddieBo.com and the Soul Generation web site.
1973	Noted singer and songwriter Jim Croce died along with five others when their chartered plane crashed after take-off at Natchitoches, LA in 1973. Croce had performed at Northwestern State University earlier that evening.
1996	Blues legend Buddy Guy was inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk on this day in 1996.
2005	The Hurricane Katrina benefit special "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" aired live on Pay-Per-View TV in 2005. Performers included the Dixie Cups, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dave Bartholomew, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Neville Brothers, The Meters, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Ivan Neville.

SEPTEMBER 21
1873	Late drummer, brass player and bandleader "Papa" Jack Laine was born in New Orleans in 1873; Laine, often credited as being the first white jazz musician, formed his first ragtime band circa 1890; he later founded the Reliance Brass Band and led various units of the group until retiring from music in 1917.
1912	Late songwriter, steel guitarist, and honky tonker Ted Daffan was born (nee Theron Eugene Daffan) in Merryville, Louisiana in 1912. Daffan wrote the first truck driver song, "Truck Driver's Blues", which was a hit in 1939. Other noted Daffan penned songs include "I'm A Fool To Care", and the Ray Charles classic "Born To Lose." Ted Daffan and His Texans had eight Top 10 country hits between 1944 and 1946. He passed away in Houston, Texas in 1996 at age 84. Read more at Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1926	Jelly Roll Morton & His Red Hot Peppers recorded "Sidewalk Blues", "Dead Man Blues", and "Steamboat Stomp" for the Victor company in Chicago in 1926.
1959	"I Want To Walk You Home" by Fats Domino hit #1 on the R&B Chart in 1959. It was Domino's last #1 hit, but several singles would crack the Top 10 into the early 1960s.
1974	Country blues man Jewell "Babe" Stovall passed away in New Orleans in 1974 at age 66.
1998	Louisiana natives Kenny Beard and Trace Adkins were among songwriters honored at the 36th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, held at Nashville's Opryland Hotel in 1998. Beard picked up two awards -- for "The Rest Of Mine" (written with Adkins) and "Is That A Tear" (cowritten with John Jarrard).
2002	Guitar slinger Kenny Wayne Shepherd performed at the Farm Aid benefit concert in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania in 2002.
2011	Big Chief Bo Dollis of the Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians was awarded with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2011. Sadly, Dollis was too ill to attend the event. The honor was accepted by his son Gerard Dollis (aka Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr.).

SEPTEMBER 22
1942	Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Lenny Capello was born (Leonard Arthur Capello, Jr.) in New Orleans in 1942. Capello joined The Dots, a popular Baton Rouge band of the late 1950s and 60', while still in high school. He recorded for Joe Ruffino's Ric label in New Orleans, producing the regional hits "Cotton Candy" and "90 Pound Weakling." he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
1970	Multi-platinum selling rap star Mystikal was born (Michael Tyler) in New Orleans in 1970.
1975	Trombonist and bandleader Jack Delaney passed away in New Orleans in 1975 at age 45. Delaney worked with many local greats including Johnny Reininger, Sharkey Bonano, Tony Almerico, and the Leon Kellner Orchestra. He recorded as a leader, and appeared on albums by George Girard, Pete Fountain, Lizzie Miles, and others.
1979	"Just Good Ol' Boys" by Moe Bandy and (Springhill, LA native ) Joe Stampley hit #1 on the Country Chart in 1979.
1994	Damion Neville (son of Charmaine Neville and grandson of Charles Neville) was arrested in the strangulation death of his girlfriend, Michelle Tyler, in 1994. Tyler was the sister of rap star Mystikal. Neville was eventually acquitted of the charge.
1997	The Hackberry Ramblers appeared live on Fox television's "The Vicki Lawrence Show" in 1997.
1998	CD's released on 09/22/98 included "Mercyland" by Cowboy Mouth, "No Pain No Gain" by the Ghetto Twiinz, and "How You Luv That, Vol. 2" by Cash Money's Big Tymers.
1999	Winners at the 1999 CMA Awards included Tim McGraw (3 awards including Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for "A Place In The Sun") and Brooks & Dunn (who won the Vocal Duo Award for the 8th year in a row).
2004	Texas bluesman U.P. Wilson (aka the "Texas Guitar Tornado") passed away in Paris, France in 2004. Wilson (nee Huary Perry Wilson) was born in in Shreveport, LA in 1934.
2005	Better Than Ezra were musical guests on daytime TV's "Tony Danza Show" in 2005. The New Orleans rockers performed "Juicy" (watch video).

SEPTEMBER 23
1883	Late trad jazz cornet and clarinet player Joseph "Wooden Joe" Nicholas was born in New Orleans in 1883. Nicholas founded the Camelia Brass Band (later the Camelia Orchestra) in 1918.
1910	Guitarist, vocalist and big band leader Bardu Ali was born in New Orleans in 1910. Ali had long associations with Chick Webb and Johnny Otis. He is also noted for discovering a young Ella Fitzgerald at an Amateur Night Contest in Harlem in 1934.
1927	Late blues guitarist and vocalist Mighty Joe Young was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1927.
1941	Multi-genre saxophone great and music educator Earl Turbinton was born in New Orleans in 1941. Turbinton, who was the brother of Wilson "Willie Tee" Turbinton, passed away in 2007 at age 65.
1949	New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival co-founder and former Professor Longhair manager Allison Miner was born in 1949. Miner was a pivotal figure in the preservation and worldwide recognition of New Orleans brass band and Mardi Gras Indian cultures. She died of cancer on December 23, 1995 at 46.
1955	Fats Domino recorded "Poor Me" (Imperial 5369) at J&M Studio in New Orleans in 1955. The track went on to reach #1 on the R&B Chart in December of 1955. Backing up Fats on the session were Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, Herb Hardesty, Clarence Ford and Cornelius Coleman.
1965	Rocker Jerry Lee Lewis appeared on the ABC music series Shindig! in 1965. He performed "High Heel Sneakers."
1997	Vocalist and tenor sax player Huey "Cookie" Thierry passed away in Lake Charles in 1997 at age 61. Thierry was leader of the 1960s swamp pop group Cookie & The Cupcakes.
1998	Winners at the CMA Awards (Country Music Association) in 1998 included Tim McGraw (Album of the Year for "Everywhere") and Brooks & Dunn (who won the Vocal Duo Award for the 7th year in a row).
1999	Pop star Britney Spears won the People's Choice Award for Favorite International Artist at the MuchMusic Video Awards held in Toronto in 1999. Britney also performed at the event.
2011	Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue appeared on the UK televison show "Later... with Jools Holland" in 2011. (watch video clip)

SEPTEMBER 24
1872	Early brass musician Isadore Barbarin was born in New Orleans in 1872. Barbarin joined the Onward Brass Band in 1889. He also paraded with the Excelsior Brass Band and the Tuxedo Brass Band. Barbarin recorded in the early 40's with the Zenith Brass Band and Bunk Johnson. Four of Barbarin's sons were musicians, including drummers Louis and Paul Barbarin.
1927	Zydeco accordionist Delton Broussard (of Delton Broussard & the Lawtell Playboys) was born near Opelousas, LA in 1927. All eleven of his children played music, including Jeffrey Broussard of Zydeco Force and Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys. See clips of Delton Broussard in Nick Spitzer's film "Zydeco: Creole Music and Culture in Rural Louisiana."
1944	R&B vocalist Rosa Lee Hawkins was born in New Orleans in 1944. Hawkins is an original member of The Dixie Cups, formed in the early 1960s with her sister Barbara Ann Hawkins and their cousin, Joan Marie Johnson.
1957	New Orleans-based piano guru, composer, journalist, globe trotter, and New Orleans Nightcrawlers co-founder Tom McDermott was born in St. Louis, MO in 1957.
1958	Vocalist and leader of Amy & The Hank Sinatras Amy Adams was born in Helena, AK in 1958.
1994	Soulful crooner and Cade, Louisiana native Dalton Reed passed away in 1994 at age 42. Read more on Reed.
2004	New Orleans' own Theresa Andersson and Annie Clements were among the performers at the "The Fender Stratocaster 50th Birthday Celebration" concert held at Wembley Arena in London in 2004. The event was captured on the DVD "The Strat Pack: Live in Concert."

SEPTEMBER 25
1898	Late trad jazz drummer Alex Bigard was born in New Orleans in 1898. His career included stints with the Maple Leaf Orchestra, John Robichaux, Willie Pajeaud, and Kid Rena. He became a regular at Preservation Hall, and was there on opening night in 1961. Alex was the brother of clarinet legend Barney Bigard. His cousin was trumpeter Natty Dominique.
1955	A recording session for Specialty Records at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studio in New Orleans resulted in singles from Big Boy Myles and the Shaw-Wees ("Who's Been Fooling You" / "That Girl I Married"), and Li'l Millet and the Creoles ("Rich Woman" / "Hopeless Love"). Musicians on both releases included Edgar "Big Boy" Miles, Lee Allen, James Victor Lewis, Warren Myles, Ernest Mare, Li'l Millet, and Bartholomew Smith. "Who's Been Fooling You" was written by Professor Longhair. "Rich Woman," written Dorothy LaBostrie and Li'l Millet (McKinley Millet), was later covered by Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, and won the pair a 2008 Grammy Award.
1965	Louis Armstrong appeared on the ABC variety show "The Hollywood Palace" in 1965. Satchmo performed "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Dardanella" (w/ host Bing Crosby), and "South Rampart Street Parade" (w/ Crosby, Phil Harris, and The Young Americans).
1983	Lafayette, LA based Cajun and Creole fiddler/accordioniest (and 4-time Grammy nominee) Cedric Watson was born in San Felipe, Texas in 1983.
2006	The Louisiana Superdome reopened in 2006 for the first time since Hurricane Katrina with a Monday Night Football match-up between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. The pregame show featured a performance by U2 and Green Day, with help from Rebirth Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band, Big Sam Williams, and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. The national anthem was performed by Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint. To cap off the night, the Saints whipped the Falcons 23-3.

SEPTEMBER 26
1912	Guitarist/session player/arranger Rene Hall was born in Morgan City in 1912. Hall played banjo and guitar with jazz bands (A.J. Piron, Sam Morgan, Sidney Desvigne) in New Orleans before moving to New York in the 1930's (working with Wynonie Harris, The Cadillacs, The Dominos), and later to Los Angeles (with Ernie Fields Orchestra, B. Bumble and the Stingers, The Dyna-Sores). On Los Angeles session work, Hall was often teamed with fellow Louisiana ex-pats Earl Palmer and Plas Johnson.
1970	"There Must Be More To Love Than This" by Jerry Lee Lewis hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart in 1970
1973	Trumpet great Nicholas Payton was born in New Orleans in 1973. Payton, the son of late bassist Walter Payton, studied music at NOCCA and UNO. He won a Grammy in 1997 for "Stardust", from the album he recorded with the late Doc Cheatham. The Chicago Tribune, in their review of "Doc Cheatham & Nicholas Payton" wrote "Listen to these trumpeters in musical dialogue and you are hearing one end of the 20th century speaking to another".
1990	Harry Connick Jr.'s home video "Singin' and Swingin'" was certified Gold by the RIAA on this day in 1990.
1997	Legendary guitarist James Burton was inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk on this day in 1997.

SEPTEMBER 27
1952	"Juke", by blues legend Little Walter, hit #1 on the R&B Chart in 1952.It held on to the top spot for 8 weeks, and was listed in the chart for a total of 20 weeks.
1983	Cash Money Records rapper Lil Wayne was born (nee DeWayne Carter) in New Orleans in 1982.
1994	Harry Connick Jr.'s albums "When Harry Met Sally" (released 07/21/89) and "We Are In Love" (released on 06/29/90) were both certified Double Platinum by the RIAA on this day in 1994
1999	On TV in 1999: Pop star Britney Spears made her 3rd appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. "Road to Fame: Harry Connick Jr.", a one hour profile of the actor and crooner, premiered on VH1.

SEPTEMBER 28
1900	Late accordionist and Cajun music pioneer Joseph Falcon was born in Roberts Cove, Louisiana in 1900. Falcon and his wife Cleoma Breaux recorded the first Cajun French record, "Allons � Lafayette", in 1928.
1937	Country music producer and songwriter Glenn Sutton was born (nee Royce Glenn Sutton) in Hodge, Louisiana in 1937. Sutton won a Grammy in 1966 for "Almost Persuaded" (a #1 hit by Bossier City, LA native David Houston), which he co-wrote with Billy Sherrill. He also wrote or shared credits on "I Don't Want to Play House" (a #1 hit for Tammy Wynette), "What Made Milwaukee Famous (Made a Loser Out of Me)" (a #2 hit for Jerry Lee Lewis), "Pair of Old Sneakers" (George Jones & Tammy Wynette), and many other country classics. Sutton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. He passed away in Nashville in 2007.
1957	The "Crown Prince of Zydeco" C.J. Chenier was born Clayton Joseph Chenier in Port Arthur, Texas in 1957. C.J. is the son of late Zydeco King, Clifton Chenier.

SEPTEMBER 29
1920	Legendary country musician, songwriter, and star maker Tillman Franks (web site) was born in Stamps, Arkansas in 1920. Franks, who moved to Shreveport at age two, managed Webb Pierce, Claude King, Johnny Horton (he survived the 1960 auto accident that killed Horton), Slim Whitman, and others. He was with the Louisiana Hayride radio show from 1949 - 1960, and as the booking agent for the Hayride, Franks was the man who introduced future legends Hank Williams and Elvis Presley to the world. His bio, "Tillman Franks: I Was There When It Happened," was published in 2000. Franks passed away in Shreveport in 2006.
1935	Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Jerry Lee Lewis was born in Ferriday, Louisiana in 1935.
1959	Louis Armstrong appeared on ABC TV's "The Bing Crosby Oldsmobile Show" in 1959; others appearing included Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra; watch video clip; another video clip; purchase the show on DVD.
1962	Blues songstress Ann Cook passed away in New Orleans in 1962 at age 59. Cook recorded "Mama Cookie" and "He's the Sweetest Black Man In Town" for Victor Orthophonic Records in New Orleans on July 3, 1927 (backed by Louis Dumaine's band). Her recordings can be found on the albums "Sizzling the Blues," "New Orleans Blues 1923-1940," and "Jazzin' the Blues Vol. 5 (1930 - 1953)." Read more on Cook here.
1969	Tenor sax great Clarence Hall passed away in New Orleans in 1969 at age 66. Hall first worked with Kid Valentine in Reserve, LA in 1915. He was with Papa Celestin's Original Tuxedo Orchestra for many years (see photo), and recorded with them in 1927. He later had a long association with Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino in the heyday of New Orleans R&B (see extensive recording credits). Brothers Edmond Hall, Herb Hall, and Robert Hall were also noted musicians.
1974	Trad jazz pianist and vocalist Billie Pierce passed away in New Orleans in 1974 at age 67. Pierce accompanied several singers during the 1920's, then settled in New Orleans; she gained international fame touring with her husband De De Pierce as well as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
1990	Trad jazz drummer and bandleader Freddie Kohlman passed away in New Orleans in 1990 at age 75. 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. He also performed on Harry Connick, Jr's "Eleven album", and appeared in the film "Angel Heart." See partial list of Kohlman's recording credits.

SEPTEMBER 30
1938	Louis Armstrong divorced his second wife, pianist Lil Hardin, in 1938. The couple had been together for 14 years.
1949	Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded "You Can't Lose A Broken Heart" and "My Sweet Hunk O' Trash" for the Decca label New York City in 1949.
1952	Noted jazz and R&B drummer (and actor) Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson was born in New Orleans in 1952. Johnson worked with a who's who of NOLA musicians, including the Dixie Cups, King Floyd, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Lloyd Price, Jean Knight, Ernie K-Doe, Johnny Adams and Dr. John, among many others. Johnson appeared in several episodes of the HBO series Treme. He died of a heart attack on March 21, 2010. He was 57.
1967	"Fall In Love With Me" by Shreveport, LA native Bettye Swann entered the R&B chart in 1967; the song peaked at No. 36, and remained on the chart for 8 weeks
1992	Country singers Brooks & Dunn were named Vocal Duo of the Year at the 26th annual CMA Awards in Nashville in 1992
2003	Rapper C-Murder (nee Corey Miller), the younger brother of Master P, was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2003 and was sentenced to life in prison. He had been on trial for the shooting death of 16-year-old Steve Thomas outside of the Platinum Club in Harvey, LA. The conviction was overturned in 2006. A retrial in 2009 resulted in a conviction and a mandatory life sentence.
2005	World Leader Pretend were musical guests on NBC's "Today Show" in 2005. The New Orleans rock band performed "Tit for Tat" (watch video).
2010	Cajun fiddle legend and CFMA Hall of Fame inductee Tony Thibodeaux passed away in 2010 at age 72. The Rayne, LA native performed with Adam Maitre, Walter Mouton, Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys, Belton Richard, Rufus Thibodeaux, and many others.
RIAA	Kenny Wayne Shepherd's debut album "Ledbetter Heights" was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1996. Britney Spears' debut album "... Baby One More Time" was certified 7 x Platinum by the RIAA in 1999

Satchmo.com - On This Day in Louisiana Music History