Trombonist, guitar and banjo player Homer Eugene (Homer Anthony Eugene) was born in New Orleans on June 16, 1914. Eugene played with Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Onward Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band, Kid Thomas, Captain John Handy. Peter Bocage, Punch Miller, and others. His brother was noted trombonist Wendell Eugene. He was also related to Albert Burbank, Danny Barker, and the Barbarin family. Homer Eugene passed away on June 7. 1998 at age 83. Listen to Homer Eugene music on YouTube.
1940
Chicago blues singer Nolan Struck was born (Nolton Antoine) in Duson, LA on June 16, 1940. Struck went to Chicago, where he played bass guitar for Lonnie Brooks. He later recorded a highly praised album ("Brother to Brother") with his sibling, guitarist King Edward (Edward Antoine), in 1995. Read more here. See Nolan Struck discography. Listen to Nolan Struck music on YouTube.
"Wolverton Mountain" by Keithville, Louisiana native Claude King entered the Billboard Hot 100 Chart on June 16, 1962. The tune, written by King and Merle Kilgore, ultimately reached #6 on the Hot 100 (and it topped the Country chart for 9 straight weeks).
1970
New Orleans-born guitar pioneer and Blues Hall of Fame member Lonnie Johnson passed away in Toronto on June 16, 1970 at age 71. His recording career lasted over 40 years, including sessions in the 20's with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five. Johnson was a major influence on many blues and jazz guitarists, including Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, and B.B. King. Watch Lonnie Johnson videos on YouTube.
1962
"I Got Mexico" by Lafayette native Eddy Raven hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart on June 16, 1984.
1987
Trumpet player and bandleader Kid Thomas Valentine passed away in New Orleans on June 16, 1987 at age 91. Kid Thomas began playing in his home town of Reserve at age 14. After moving to New Orleans, he worked in a variety of bands, including his own Algiers Stompers. In his latter years, he was a fixture at Preservation Hall. Read more here. Listen to Kid Thomas Valentine music on YouTube.
1997
Branford Marsalis was named as a Creative Consultant to the Columbia Records label on June 16, 1997. He later cut his ties with Columbia and formed his own label, Marsalis Music.
2001
The Tim McGraw single "Grown Men Don't Cry" hit #1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart on June 16, 2001. It peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was was nominated for "Best Male Country Vocal Performance" at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.
2011
Legendary New Orleans composer, producer and performer Allen Toussaint was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 16, 2011. Other Louisiana natives in the Songwriters Hall of Fame include Lead Belly, Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams, Fats Domino, and Dave Bartholomew.
2014
Famed vocalist Merry Clayton was severely injured in a car accident in Los Angeles on June 16, 2014. The female voice featured on the Rolling Stones single "Gimme Shelter" had to have both of her legs amputated at the knees. Read more here.
2026
New Orleans rapper Mystikal (Michael Tyler) was sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Ascension Parish court on June 16, 2026. He had pled guilty to a third-degree rape charge in March after being arrested in July of 2022. Read more here.
