Legendary clarinetist, sax player and composer Sidney Bechet was born in New Orleans on May 14, 1897. Bechet was one of the first great soloists in jazz. "Wild Cat Blues", the 1923 Clarence Williams Blue Five recording featuring Bechet, was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2015. The Sidney Bechet Quintet recording of George Gershwin's "Summertime" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. Bechet passed away in Paris, France on May 14, 1959 (his 62nd birthday). He had lived in France since 1951. See Sidney Bechet discography. See John Chilton's Bechet biography "The Wizard of Jazz."
1898
Noted jazz drummer and band leader Zutty Singleton (née Arthur James Singleton) was born in Bunkie, LA in 1898. Working in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, Singleton's extensive resume included stints with Jimmie Noone, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, and many others. He was an important link from the New Orleans style to the swing drummers who came on the scene in the 1930's, and he was one of the first drummers to use wire brushes and the sock cymbal. In latter years, Singleton worked with Tony Parenti at Ryan's in New York (1963-69), and they performed together at the 1969 New Orleans Jazz Festival. He appeared in the films "A Song Is Born", "Stormy Weather", "New Orleans", and "Turned-up Toes". Zutty Singleton passed away in New York on July 14, 1975 at age 77. Watch Zutty Singleton videos on YouTube.
1928
R&B and doo-wop vocalist Will "Dub" Jones was born in Shreveport, LA on May 14, 1928. Jones, a bass vocalist, recorded with The Cadets ("Stranded in the Jungle") and The Jacks before joining future Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, The Coasters in 1958. He remained with The Coasters for 10 years, and was featured on many of their hits including "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown" (Jones delivered the classic line "Why's everybody always picking on me"), and "Along Came Jones". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Coasters in 1987. Jones passed away in Long Beach, California on January 16, 2000 at age 71.
1959
New Orleans born jazz clarinetist Sidney Bechet passed away in Paris, France on May 14, 1959 (his 62nd birthday). See above entry.
1966
The Kingsmen's single "Louie, Louie", written by Extension, Louisiana native Richard Berry, entered the Billboard Hot 100 for the ninth and last time in 1966. The rock classic peaked at #2 on the pop chart in 1963. Visit louielouie.net for more info.
1994
Pink Floyd's Division Bell Tour came to the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on May 14, 1994. The sold out show brought an attendance of 41,475 fans, and was known for its quadraphonic sound and spectacular laser visuals. See photos here. Listen to the concert on YouTube.
