Guitarist Papa Cairo was born (Julius Angelle Lamperez) in Crowley, Louisiana on July 27, 1920. Papa Cairo wrote (and sang on) Chuck Guillory & His Rhythm Boys' 1949 hit, "Big Texas". He claimed that Hank Williams stole the "Big Texas" melody to write the classic tune known as "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)". Hank would probably lose a lawsuit today. Lamperez passed away on November 13, 1999 at age 79. Read more about Big Texas / Jambalaya. See Papa Cairo discography. Watch Papa Cairo videos on YouTube.
1933
Master fiddler, fiddle maker, teacher and Cajun cultural ambassador Leo Abshire was born in Kaplan, LA in 1933. Abshire performed with Joe Bonsall and the Orange Playboys for 20 years, and also worked with August Broussard, Milton Adams, Horace Trahan, D.L. Menard, Eddie LeJeune, and Doug Kershaw. He performed for the Queen of England, Princess Di, and President Clinton. Abshire appeared on the soundtrack to the 1999 PBS special The Mississippi: River of Song (with D.L. Menard), and he was the subject of the award winning documentary "It's In the Blood: Leo Abshire & the Cajun Tradition". Abshire died at his residence in Gueydan, LA on May 31, 2005. He was 71 years old. See Leo Abshire discography. Watch Leo Abshire videos on YouTube.
1936
French Quarter entertainer Miriam "Scubie" Hoyt (Miriam Jeanine Simpler) was born in Valley, Alabama on July 27, 1936. Hoyt was a piano player at Pat O'Brien’s Piano Bar in New Orleans for 32 unforgettable years. She passed away on April 9, 2025 at age 88
1943
Trumpeter, composer, session player and influential music educator Clyde Kerr, Jr. was born in New Orleans on July 27, 1943. Kerr's students included Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Irvin Mayfield, Christian Scott and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. He passed away in New Orleans on August 6, 2010 at age 67. See Clyde Kerr, Jr. discography. Watch Clyde Kerr, Jr. videos on YouTube.
1954
Singer and songwriter (with Lil Queenie & the Percolators) Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris was born in New Orleans on July 27, 1954. Harris passed away on September 21, 2019 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Read more here. See Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris discography. Watch Little Queenie videos on YouTube.
1958
New Orleans blues guitarist and bandleader Ed Wills (of Ed Wills & Blues 4 $ale) was born on July 27, 1958. Watch Ed Wills videos on YouTube.
1963
"Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash hit #1 on the Country Music Singles Chart on July 27, 1963. It held the top spot for 7 weeks. The mariachi-style trumpet parts on the track were played by New Orleans native Bill McElhiney. "Ring of Fire" was written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. It was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
1973
Respected New Orleans drummer Kevin O'Day was born (Kevin Patrick O'Day) in Lafayette, LA on July 27, 1973. O'Day worked with All That, Royal Fingerbowl, Iris May Tango, Anders Osborne, Midnite Disturbers, Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Kevin O’Day & Live Animals, and others. O'Day passed away on March 8, 2022 at age 48. See Kevin O'Day discography. Watch Kevin O'Day videos on YouTube.
1974
Baton Rouge blues man Lightnin' Slim was born (Otis Hicks) in Good Pine, Louisiana on March 13, 1913. Hicks first recorded ("Bad Luck") for Jay Miller's Feature Records in Crowley, Louisiana in 1954. He later had several releases for Excello Records. Lightnin' Slim passed away in Detroit on July 27, 1974 at the age of 61. See Lightnin' Slim discography. Watch Lightnin' Slim videos on YouTube.
1993
B.B. King and Buddy Guy were musical guests on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on July 27, 1993. The two teamed up on "I Pity The Fool" and "The Thrill is Gone" (backed by Branford Marsalis and the Tonight Show band). Watch the video here.
1996
Guitar player and string bassist Joseph Payton died of a heart attack at Charity Hospital on July 27, 1996 at age 51. Payton played with Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding, Al Green, Papa French's Jazz Band, The Society Jazz Band, and others. He can be heard on the holiday collection "Christmas in New Orleans" (Mardi Gras Records) and the 1994 Tabby Thomas release "Swamp Blues Man".
2001
Louis Armstrong earned his first Platinum record certification on July 27, 2001 for his 1968 album, "What A Wonderful World". Armstrong recordings have earned Gold Album status for "All Time Greatest Hits", "Hello, Dolly!", and "20th Century Masters: The Best Of Louis Armstrong".
