Trumpeter, bandleader and club owner Leon Prima was born in New Orleans on July 28, 1907. Prima worked with Tony Parenti, Leon Roppolo, Ray Bauduc, Jack Teagarden, Peck Kelley, Sharkey Bonano, and others. He also played with younger brother Louis Prima's big band in New York in the 1940's. Leon ran several Bourbon Street night spots, including the Shim Sham Club and the 500 Club. He passed away in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on August 15, 1985 at age 78. Read more here. See Leon Prima discography. Watch Leon Prima videos on YouTube.
1957
Rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis made his television debut on "The Steve Allen Show" on July 28, 1957. Jerry Lee performed his single "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". A few weeks later, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" topped both the Country and R&B charts, and it reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Watch the performance here.
1958
"Just A Dream" by Jimmy Clanton and His Rockets entered the R&B Chart on July 28, 1958. The song went on to reach the #1 spot in August of 1958. The backing band on the track included Earl King, Huey "Piano" Smith, Lee Allen and Red Tyler.
1965
Trombonist, bandleader (Uptown Jazz Orchestra) and record producer Delfeayo Marsalis was born in New Orleans on July 28, 1965. He is the son of jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, Jr. (1934-2020), and the brother of musicians Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Jason Marsalis. See dmarsalis.com for upcoming tour dates. See Delfeayo Marsalis discography. Watch Delfeayo Marsalis videos on YouTube.
1969
Late poet, activist, White Panther Party chairman, and WWOZ DJ John Sinclair was sentenced in a Detroit courtroom to nine-and-a-half to ten years in jail for possession of 2 marijuana cigarettes on July 28, 1969. He was later released after serving 29 months of the term. Read more about John Sinclair here.
1982
Record executive, songwriter, and rapper Mack Maine was born (Jermaine Anthony Preyan) in New Orleans on July 28, 1982. He is the president of Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment record label. See Mack Maine discography.
1987
Trumpeter, composer and arranger Steve Lands was born in Baton Rouge, LA on July 28, 1987. See Steve Lands discography. Watch Steve Lands videos on YouTube.
2007
Country star Tim McGraw got his crotch grabbed by a female fan at a "Soul2Soul" tour stop at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana on July 28, 2007. McGraw's wife, Faith Hill, who also performed on the tour, berated the woman from the stage, calling her actions disrespectful.
2007
The second Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival took place in Bridgeview, IL on July 28, 2007. Performers at the event included Sonny Landreth (watch "Überesso"), Buddy Guy (watch "Hoochie Coochie Man", Tab Benoit and Louisiana's LeRoux, Derek Trucks Band, John Mayer, and many others. Watch more videos from the show on YouTube.
2011
Music venue Irvin Mayfield I Club opened to the public on July 28, 2011 with performances by Los Hombres Calientes and Rockin' Dopsie Jr. The venue, located in the JW Marriott New Orleans hotel, closed in December of 2012.
