Clarinet and sax player Raymond Burke was born (Raymond Barrois) in New Orleans on June 6, 1904. Burke played with Alfred Laine, Blind Gilbert (Frank Meistier), and Henry Walde's Melon Pickers in the 20's and 30's. He led his own bands in the 40's and 50's, and also worked with Sharkey Bonano, Johnny Wiggs, Sherwood Mangiapane, and others. Burke was with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in the 1970's and 80's. He passed away on March 21, 1986. Read more here. Listen to Raymond Burke music on YouTube.
1936
Late harmonica player and blues progenitor Raful Neal was born in Baton Rouge, LA on June 6, 1936. 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. He passed away on September 1, 2004 at age 68. Read more here. Listen to Raful Neal music on YouTube.
1943
Country music star Joe Stampley was born in Springhill, LA on June 6, 1943. Stampley first recorded for producer Dale Hawkins on Imperial in 1957. He was a member of the popular 60's Louisiana rock group The Uniques, who had hits with "Not Too Long Ago" and "All These Things". Singles by Stampley reached the Country Charts over 60 times, including 4 #1 hits. Joe's son, Shreveport native Tony Stampley, is also a talented singer and songwriter. Read more about The Uniques at the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame . Listen to The Uniques music on YouTube. Listen to Joe Stampley music on YouTube.
1953
New Orleans guitarist June Yamagishi was born in Japan on June 6, 1953. June moved to New Orleans in 1995, and has since worked with the Wild Magnolias, Papa Grows Funk, The Trio (with Johnny Vidacovich & George Porter Jr.), 101 Runners, Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet, the KJD Trio (with Keiko Komaki and Donald MaGee), and many others. June was included in GQ's "The 15 Best-Dressed Men at the Grammys 2026" list. Watch June Yamagishi videos on YouTube.
"Cotton Candy" by Al Hirt entered the Billboard Top 40 Albums Chart on June 6, 1964. It was nominated for 1964 "Album of the Year" at the 7th Annual Grammy Awards, and it has sold over 500,000 copies.
1964
"Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and the R&B Chart on June 6, 1964. The tune was penned by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. Chapel was the first track released on Leiber & Stoller's Red Bird record label.
1997
Tenor sax player and bandleader Fred Kemp (Frederic Donald Kemp) passed away in New Orleans on June 6, 1997 at age 55. Kemp was a prolific session player and a long time member of Fats Domino's band. He ran Kemp's Bar & Lounge (with brother Dorn "Pappy" Kemp), where his jazz quartet often performed. Read more here. Listen to Fred Kemp music on YouTube.
2006
Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint were the musical guests on CBS TV's "Late Show with David Letterman" on June 6, 2006. Toussaint and Costello performed the title track from their album "The River in Reverse". Watch the video here.
