Musician (bass and guitar) Lloyd Dantin (Lloyd Charles Dantin) was born in New Orleans on May 16, 1912. Dantin founded popular New Orleans band The Esquires with his sax playing brother Earl Dantin (1910-2004). The Esquires played many clubs including the Prevue Lounge, The Monteleone Hotel, and Court of Two Sisters, among others. They played with Louis Prima, Huey Long, and Bing Crosby, and performed on radio stations WWL and WDSU. Lloyd Dantin passed away in Mandeville, LA on April 2, 1995 at age 82.
1921
Zydeco washboard pioneer Cleveland Chenier (Cleveland Joseph Chenier) was born in Opelousas, LA on May 16, 1921. Cleveland was the brother of Zydeco King Clifton Chenier, and was a member of Clifton's "Red Hot Louisiana Band". Cleveland also performed with Lightnin' Hopkins (video). The first frottoir (rubboard) with shoulder straps made of tin was created for Cleveland in 1946 by Willie Landry. Cleveland Chenier passed away in Lafayette, LA on May 7, 1991 at the age of 69. Read more here. See the mural honoring the Chenier brothers in Sunset, Louisiana.
R&B singer Pervis Jackson was born in Monroe, Louisiana on May 16, 1938 (or May 17, 1938). Jackson was the bass singer with lengendary Detroit vocal group The Spinners (inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023). He was a co-founder of the group, formed in 1961 as The Domingoes, and remained with them up to his passing on August 18, 2008. Read more here and here.
1964
"Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups entered the Billboard Top 40 Chart in 1964. It reached the No. 1 spot on June 6th (and dislodged The Beatles' "Love Me Do" from the top spot). It also reached No. 1 on the R&B Chart. "Chapel of Love" was ranked No. 279 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Read more about "Chapel of Love" here.
1969
Jefferson Airplane bassist Jack Casady, along with manager Bill Thompson, Casady's brother Chick, Bill Laudner, and two female friends were arrested for possession of marijuana (2 joints) at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans on May 16, 1969. Casady later received a 2 1/2 year suspended sentence.
1979
Guitarist Roy Montrell (Raymond Eustis Montrell) passed away in Amsterdam on May 16, 1979 at age 51, while on tour with Fats Domino. The New Orleans native was a prolific session player, working for the Specialty and Ace labels, and later for Allen Toussaint's studio band and the AFO (All For One) label. Read more here and here. Listen to Roy Montrell music on YouTube.
1980
Dr. George C. Nichopoulous (aka Dr. Nick) was indicted in Memphis, TN on May 16, 1980 on 14 counts of overprescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other patients. He was later acquitted on all prescription charges.
1994
Reeds player Himas "Flo" Anckle (born 9/14/27) died of cancer in New Orleans on May 16, 1994. He was leader of the Majestic Brass Band, and also played with Eureka Jazz Band, Young Tuxedo Jazz Band and Bill Sinegal's Band. Anckle co-wrote the Mardi Gras classic "Second Line, Part I and Part II". Watch a video clips of Himas "Flo" Anckle and the Majestic Brass Band.
1999
"A Barn Raisin' for Eddie Bo" was held at the Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl on May 16, 1999. The benefit concert helped raise funds for R&B veteran Eddie Bo, who lost all of his possessions in a fire that destroyed his Tulane Ave. home on 3/17/99. Performers at the event included Snooks Eaglin, Tommy Ridgley, Ernie K-Doe, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Davell Crawford, and Jon Cleary
2004
Pop star Britney Spears was featured on the cover of TV Guide Magazine on May 16, 2004.
2010
PBS aired "Great Museums - New Orleans: A Living Museum of Music" on May 16, 2010. The documentary series featured NOLA's vibrant culture through the eyes of the city's musicians, dancers and street performers. Those appearing included Ellis Marsalis, Trombone Shorty, Baby Boyz Brass Band, St. Augustine Marching 100, Lionel Ferbos, Irvin Mayfield, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Sunpie Barnes, and Dr. Michael White. Watch the video here.
2025
The 2025 GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala was held in Los Angeles on May 16, 2025. Jon Batiste became the inaugural recipient of the newly created Ray Charles "Architect of Sound" Award. Performers at the event included Jon Batiste (video, video), Ledisi, and Emmylou Harris with Daniel Lanois and Brian Blade (video).
