Late trad jazz trombone great Tom Brown was born (Thomas Patrick Brown) in New Orleans on June 3, 1888. Brown played with Papa Jack Laine before forming his own band and moving to Chicago in 1915 to perform at Lamb's Cafe. Back in Louisiana in the 20's, Brown continued to work regularly, often playing string bass. He recorded with Johnny Bayersdorffer, Norman Brownlee, Johnny Wiggs, and others. Brown passed away on March 25, 1958. Read more here. Listen to Tom Brown music on YouTube.
1897
Blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Memphis Minnie (nee Lizzie Douglas) was born in Algiers, LA (or Tunica County, Mississippi) on June 3, 1897. Douglas learned to play the guitar at age 11. She ran away at age 13 and to became a street performer in Memphis, where shw was discovered by a talent scout for Columbia Records. Her recording career ran from the 1920s into the 1950s. Her songs have been covered by the likes of Clifton Chenier, Led Zeppelin, Corey Harris, Rockin' Dopsie, and Lucinda Williams. Memphis Minnie passed away on August 6, 1973 at age 76. Her life was documented in the book "Woman With Guitar: Memphis Minnie's Blues". Read more here and here. Listen to Memphis Minnie music on YouTube.
1949
Country music legend Hank Williams made his last regular appearance on the Louisiana Hayride radio show on June 3, 1949. He left the Hayride to join the Grand Ole Opry, where he debuted on June 11, 1949. Williams briefly returned to the Hayride in 1952 after being fired from the Grand Ole Opry due to his alcoholism and frequent no-shows.
2000
Country stars Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and their manager were arrested in Orchard Park, NY on June 3rd, 2000 after Chesney rode off on a sheriff's horse and all three subsequently scuffled with police. The three were later acquitted of all charges.
2000
Pop star Britney Spears was featured on 2 different collector's edition covers of the June 3, 2000 issue of TV Guide Magazine. See cover 1 and cover 2.
2001
A van carrying Troy "Dikki Du" Carrier and his band "The Zydeco Crew" was involved in a serious accident on I-10 near Bonifay, Florida on June 3, 2001. Drummer Bradley Guilbeau (age 39, from Carencro, LA) and guitarist Bobby Jackson (age 46, from Crowley, LA) were killed in the crash. The five other van occupants were hospitalized with various injuries.
2003
Buddy Guy's album "Blues Singer" was released on June 3, 2003. The all acoustic set, featuring guests Eric Clapton and B.B. King, was named "Best Traditional Blues Album" at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.
2009
Legendary tenor sax player and vocalist Sam Butera passed away in Las Vegas on June 3, 2009 at age 81. The New Orleans native was noted for his 21 year stint leading the backup band (Sam Butera & The Witnesses) 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. Read more about Sam here, here and here. Watch Sam Butera videos on YouTube.
2011
New Orleans R&B vocalist Benny Spellman passed away in Pensacola, FL on June 3, 2011 at age 79. Spellman reached #28 on the R&B chart in 1962 with the single "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)" (Minit 644). The "A" side was "Fortune Teller", which was later covered by the Rolling Stones. Both songs were written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville. Spellman can also be heard doing the bass vocals on the Ernie K-Doe #1 hit "Mother-In-Law". Read more.
