Gospel singer Bessie Griffin was born (Arlette B. Broil) in New Orleans on July 6, 1922. She received a Grammy nomination for the 1963 album "Recorded Live!". Griffin died from breast cancer in Culver City, California on April 10, 1989. Read more here. Listen to Bessie Griffin music on YouTube.
1931
R&B great Danny White (Joseph Daniel White) was born in New Orleans on July 6, 1931. White led the popular group Danny White and the Cavaliers and had local hits in the 1960's with "Loan Me Your Handkerchief" and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye". He also recorded with Huey 'Piano' Smith & The Clowns (see Danny White discography). White died after suffering a stroke on January 5, 1996. He was 64. Read more here and here. Listen to Danny White music on YouTube.
1932
Tenor sax great Don Wilkerson was born (Donald A. Wilkerson) in Moreauville, Louisiana on July 6, 1932. Wilkerson played with Amos Milburn, Charles Brown, Dexter Gordon, Ray Charles, and others. His tenor sax can be heard on several of Ray Charles's 1950's hits, including "I Got a Woman" "This Little Girl of Mine", and "Hallelujah, I Love Her So". He released his first solo album, "The Texas Twister" (produced by Cannonball Adderley), in 1960. Wilkerson passed away in Houston, TX on July 18, 1986. Read more here. See Don Wilkerson recording credits. Listen to Don Wilkerson music on YouTube.
1951
Jazz drummer Frank Oxley was born in New Orleans on July 6, 1951. He is the son of late rhythm and blues and jazz drummer Dave Oxley (1910-1974). See Frank Oxley recording credits. Watch Frank Oxley videos on YouTube.
1953
Jazz and brass band trumpeter Gregg Stafford was born in New Orleans on July 6, 1953. When not on the road, Stafford can be heard regularly at Preservation Hall. See Gregg Stafford recording credits. Watch Gregg Stafford videos on YouTube.
1955
Honky tonk singer Webb Pierce recorded "Love, Love, Love" for the Decca label on June 6, 1955. The tune went to No. 1 on the Country Singles Chart in October of 1955, and held the top spot for 13 weeks.
1957
BeauSoleil guitarist and vocalist David Doucet was born in Scott, Louisiana on July 6, 1957. David is the younger brother of Beausoliel founder Michael Doucet. Watch David Doucet videos on YouTube.
Bass guitarist Frankie Sparcello (Frank Sparcello, Jr.) was born in New Orleans on July 6, 1970. He was a longtime member of NOLA thrash metal band Exhorder. Sparcello passed away on March 22, 2011 at age 40 (obituary). See recording credits. Listen to Frank Sparcello with Exhorder on YouTube.
1971
Trumpeter, vocalist, composer, jazz innovator, and international goodwill ambassador Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong died in his sleep at his Corona, New York home on July 6, 1971 at the age of 69. President Nixon and Duke Ellington were among those who payed tribute to the jazz legend in a New York Times obit, published on July 7, 1971. See Ricky Riccardi's "The Story of Louis Armstrong's Final Tape" (the last song Louis Armstrong listened to on the very last tape he made on July 5, 1971 was "April in Paris", from the "Ella and Louis" album).
2013
Hunter Hayes's self-titled debut album "Hunter Hayes" hit #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart on July 6, 2013. Hayes (then 20 years old) wrote or co-wrote every song, and played every instrument on the 12-track collection. The single "Wanted" hit #1 on the Country Singles Chart on September 29, 2012. The cross-over hit reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The album resulted in 3 Grammy nominations for the Breaux Bridge, Louisiana native.
