Noted bass player Stewart Davis was born in New Orleans on June 25, 1918. Davis worked with Papa Celestin, Paul Barbarin, Albert French, Kid Sheik, Andrew Hall's Society Jazz Band, and many others. He passed away on July 21, 1985.
1925
Pioneering accordion player and bandleader Clifton Chenier was born in Opelousas, LA on June 25, 1925. Known as "The King of Zydeco", Chenier was one of the first to incorporate R&B and rock into zydeco music, and he is largely responsible for it's gaining popularity outside of Louisiana. He the subject of the 1973 Les Blank documentary film 'Hot Pepper'. His album "Bogalusa Boogie" was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 1976, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. He was honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts in 1984, inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. His 1982 album "I'm Here" won a Grammy in the Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category. Chenier passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana on December 12, 1987 at age 62. Watch Clifton Chenier videos on YouTube.
1934
A&R man, publisher, producer, and entrepreneur Marshall Sehorn was born in Concord, NC on June 25, 1934. Sehorn was with the Fire and Fury record labels in the early 60's, releasing hits for Bobby Marchan ("There's Something On Your Mind"), Lee Dorsey ("Ya Ya"), and others. Sehorn later hooked up with Allen Toussaint, creating Sansu Enterprises and opening Sea-Saint Recording Studio. Albums cut at the studio included Dr. John's "Desitively Bonnaroo", The Meters' "Rejuvenation", LaBelle's "Nightbirds", and Paul McCartney and Wings' "Venus and Mars". Sehorn passed away in New Orleans on December 5, 2006. Read more here.
1951
Multi-genre guitarist and bassist Charles Moore was born in New Orleans on June 25, 1951. Moore has recorded with Allen Toussaint, Wardell Quezergue, Marva Wright, Deacon John Moore (his brother), and many others. See Charles Moore page on Facebook.
1966
"Almost Persuaded" by David Houston entered the Billboard Country Singles Chart on June 25, 1966. The song later topped the chart for 9 consecutive weeks, and won two Grammy awards for the Bossier City, Louisiana native. The country classic was penned by Billy Sherrill and Louisiana native Glenn Sutton, who also won Grammy awards.
1971
The situation at the 1971 Celebration of Life music festival in McCrea, Louisiana continued to deteriorate. On the second day of the troubled event, angry fans protesting high prices stormed concession stands and stole what they could until police arrived. The only music on this day was performances from Stoneground, Bloodrock, and The Amboy Dukes.
1981
Bass drum player Henry "Booker T" Glass passed away in New Orleans on June 25, 1981. Glass played with the Camelia Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band (and acted as their grand marshal), and many others. His son Nowell "Papa" Glass (1927-2001) was also a bass drummer. Watch rare footage of Booker "T" Glass with the Eureka Brass Band. Read more here.
