New Orleans R&B great Smiley Lewis was born (Overton Amos Lemons) in DeQuincy, Louisiana on July 5, 1913. Lewis is known for 1955 single "I Hear You Knocking" which reached #2 on the R&B Chart. He died of stomach cancer on October 7, 1966 at age 53.
1927
Music entrepreneur Stan "The Record Man" Lewis (Stanley Joseph Lewis) was born in Shreveport, LA on July 5, 1927. Lewis opened his first record store, Stan's Record Shop (photos), in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1948. He later founded the Jewel, Paula, and Ronn record labels, and produced dozens of artists including John Fred & His Playboys, Ike & Tina Turner, The Soul Stirrers, and Mickey Gilley. Lewis co-wrote the hit song "Susie-Q", with Stan's Record Shop employee Dale Hawkins. He passed away in Ruston, LA on July 15, 2018 at age 91.
1928
Long time Fats Domino band drummer Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman was born in New Orleans on July 5, 1928. Coleman backed Fats Domino on many of his 50's hits (see credits), and he was an inspiration and teacher to Walter "Popee" Lastie. He died on February 20, 1973 at age 44. Listen to Cornelius Coleman music on YouTube.
1958
Honky tonk singer Webb Pierce recorded his Top 10 country hit "Falling Back to You" for the Decca label in Nashville on July 5, 1958.
"Hey Lover" by New Orleans funk group Chocolate Milk entered the Billboard R&B Chart on July 5, 1980.
2001
R&B legend Ernie K-Doe (Ernest Kador Jr.) passed away in New Orleans on July 5, 2001 at age 65. K-Doe will always be remembered for his 1961 No. 1 hit "Mother-In-Law". See a K-Doe tribute from The Guardian. Read more here and here. Watch Ernie K-Doe videos on YouTube.
2005
Noted New Orleans R&B singer Shirley Goodman passed away in Los Angeles on July 5, 2005 at age 69. Goodman was half of the popular 50's R&B duo, Shirley & Lee (with Leonard Lee). They split in 1963, and Goodman moved to the West Coast, doing session work with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Dr. John (she appeared on the Stones LP "Exile on Main St." with fellow New Orleanians Dr. John, Merry Clayton and Tami Lynn). Goodman resurfaced in 1975 with the #1 R&B hit, "Shame, Shame, Shame" (as Shirley & Company). Listen to Shirley & Lee Top 10 R&B hits "I'm Gone" (#2), "Feel So Good" (#2), "Let The Good Times Roll" (#1), and "I Feel Good" (#3). Listen to Shirley Goodman, Tammi Lynn and Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) backing up The Rolling Stones on "Let It Loose". Watch Shirley & Lee perform "Let The Good Times Roll" on NBC TV music series 'The Midnight Special' (May 17, 1974).
2006
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill donated 100% of the proceeds from their July 5, 2006 "Soul2Soul II" tour stop in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Concert organizers also lowered the usual ticket prices, and the couple donated half of the floor seats to volunteers in the area. Read more here.
