Guitarist Walter "Papoose" Nelson (Walter Charles Nelson Jr.) was born in New Orleans on July 26, 1932. Nelson played with Professor Longhair and Fats Domino (beginning in 1950) among many others, and he was a mentor to a young Mac Rebennack (Dr. John). His brother was Lawrence "Prince La La" Nelson (of "She Put the Hurt on Me" fame). Walter "Papoose" Nelson died (at age 29) of a drug overdose in New York City on February 28, 1962 while on tour with Fats Domino. See Walter "Papoose" Nelson discography.
1941
Soul singer Brenton Wood (née Alfred Jesse Smith) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 26, 1941. Wood first recorded with Little Freddy & The Rockets in 1958. He is known for his 1967 hits, "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign". Wood passed away on January 3, 2025 in Moreno Valley, California of natural causes at age 83.
1955
Tenor saxophone player Kevin Harris was born in New Orleans on July 26, 1955. Harris is a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. See Kevin Harris discography.
1969
"Reconsider Me", by Johnny Adams, entered the Billboard Top 40 on July 26, 1969. It peaked at #28, and it was his only Top 40 song ("Reconsider Me" reached #8 on the R&B chart - Adams' only Top 10 R&B Hit). "Polk Salad Annie", by swamp rocker Tony Joe White, entered the Billboard Top 40 on July 26, 1969. It peaked at the #8 spot, becoming White's biggest hit. Trivia: Johnny Adams covered Tony Joe White's "If I Ever Had a Good Thing" on his 1984 album "From the Heart".
1999
Drummer Albert "Lil' June" Gardner passed away in New Orleans on July 26, 1999 at age 48. Lil' June worked with many local musical luminaries, including The Neville Brothers, Raymond Myles, Professor Longhair, and Irma Thomas. He was the son of drummer Albert "June" Gardner (aka Gentlemen June Gardner).
2010
Children's pop group Imagination Movers were musical guests on ABC daytime talk show "The View" on July 26, 2010. Watch the video here.
