Blues songstress Bonnie Lee (Jessie Lee Frealls) was born in Bunkie, Louisiana on June 11, 1931. The Texas raised blues singer sang in church during the '30s and '40s. She toured with pianist Sunnyland Slim, and later worked regularly with Chicago guitarist Willie Kent. She passed away in Chicago on September 7, 2006, at the age of 75. Read more here. Listen to Bonnie Lee music on YouTube.
"Ain't It A Shame" (aka "Ain't That A Shame") by Fats Domino hit #1 on the R&B Chart on June 11, 1955. The track was recorded in Hollywood on March 15, 1955 with backing by Walter "Papoose" Nelson, Billy Diamond. Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman, Samuel Lee, Herb Hardesty, and Buddy Hagans. "Ain't It A Shame" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, and it was included in Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (Issue RS963, 2004). Read more here.
1969
Drummer Eugene "Bones" Jones passed away in New Orleans in June 11, 1969 at the age of 33. Jones worked with Clarence "Frogman" Henry (he played on Henry's 1956 R&B hit, "Ain't Got No Home"), James "Sugar Boy" Crawford, and others. He was the son of noted brass band drummer Chester Jones. His brother is Benny Jones, leader and founder of the Treme Brass Band. See Eugene Jones recording credits.
2007
Noted Louisiana rock musician Chris Bennett, AKA Criss Drunk (with Mystic Fix, Southern Discomfort, LA Phantoms, Label 13, Manafold, and others) passed away on June 11, 2007 at age 33. A documentary on his life, "Cajun Hell", was due for release in 2012. Read more here and here. Watch Chris Bennett / Mystic Fix videos here.
2008
Gospel Music Channel (GMC) television network aired the special "Hometown Gospel: New Orleans" on June 11, 2008. Interviews included Bishop Paul Morton (at his church of 20,000, Greater St. Stephen), Trinitee 5:7, The Zion Harmonizers and their leader Sherman Washington, The New Orleans Spiritualettes and their founder Ruby Ray, Jake Smith, and groups including Rush of Fools and The Blind Boys of Alabama who discuss the city's influence on their music. Watch an ad for the show here.
2011
Dr. John, along with the original Meters and Allen Toussaint, performed at the 10th anniversary of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 11, 2011. They performed Dr. John's landmark 1974 album "Desitively Bonnaroo" in its entirety at the event. See videos. Dr. John returned the following night as part of the "Superjam", joined by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, My Morning Jacket drummer Patrick Hallahan, and drummer Max Weissenfeld. See videos. Other performeres at the 4-day festival included The Knux, Lil Wayne, Givers, Galactic, and Gypsyphonic Disko.
