Renowned trumpeter and vocalist Lionel Ferbos (Lionel Charles Ferbos) was born in New Orleans on July 17, 1911. Ferbos, who was still performing at 102 years old, passed away at home on July 19, 2014 at age 103. Read more here, here and here. See Lionel Ferbos recording credits. Watch Lionel Ferbos videos on YouTube.
1939
Blues singer and keyboard man Ironing Board Sam (Sam Moore) was born in Rockhill, South Carolina on July 17, 1939. Sam performed regularly in New Orleans from 1974 to 2003. Read more here, here and here. Watch a short documentary on Ironing Board Sam here. See Ironing Board Sam discography. Watch Ironing Board Sam videos on YouTube.
1940
Blues and gospel singer, songwriter and music historian Margie Evans was born (Marjorie Ann Johnson) in Shreveport, LA on July 17, 1939. She worked with Billy Ward, Ron Marshall Orchestra, Johnny Otis Band, and others. Evans passed away on March 19, 2021 at age 81. Read more here. See Margie Evans filmography. See Margie Evans discography. Watch Margie Evans videos on YouTube.
1951
Legendary Cajun fiddler Harry Choates (of "Jole Blon" fame) died in jail in Austin, Texas on July 17, 1951 at age 28. He had been arrested 3 days earlier for failing to make child support payments. Circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, but officials determined Choates, a heavy deinker, died from liver and kidney ailments. Listen to music on YouTube.
1956
Trombone great Lucien Barbarin was born in New Orleans on July 17, 1956. Barbarin toured with Wallace Davenport, Lars Edegran, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Harry Connick Jr., and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. He played regularly at Palm Court Jazz Cafe, leading the Palm Court Swingsters. Barbarin died on January 30, 2020 after a battle with Stage IV prostate cancer. He was 63. Read more here and here. See Lucien Barbarin recording credits. Watch Lucien Barbarin videos on YouTube.
1983
Pianist, vocalist, and Blues Hall of Fame inductee Roosevelt Sykes died of an apparent heart attack at Charity Hospital in New Orleans on July 17, 1983 at age 77. His last public appearance had been on May 7th at the 1983 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Watch Roosevelt Sykes videos on YouTube.
1991
A revamped version of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd kicked off a national tour in Baton Rouge, LA on July 17, 1991. The original lineup of the band was headed to Baton Rouge on October 20, 1977 when their plane crashed in Amite County, Mississippi killing six people, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines.
1991
Award winning hip-hop artist Alfred Banks was born in New Orleans on July 17, 1991. Banks was half of the eclectic hip-hop duo SaxKixAve, who split in 2025. Watch Alfred Banks videos on YouTube.
2004
The Tim McGraw single "Live Like You Were Dying" hit #1 on the Hot Country Singles chart on July 17, 2004. It held the top spot for 7 weeks, and it was named Bilboard's most popular country song of 2004. "Live Like You Were Dying" won a Grammy (Best Male Country Vocal Performance) in 2005.
