Jazz drummer Vernell Fournier (Vernel Anthony Fournier, aka Amir Rushdan) born in New Orleans on July 30, 1928. Fournier, who worked with Charlie Parker, Teddy Wilson, Ahmad Jamal, Clifford Jordan, Lester Young and others, passed away on November 4, 2000 at age 72. Read more here. See Vernell Fournier discography. Watch Vernell Fournier videos on YouTube.
1936
Blues guitar legend and 9-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy was born in Lettsworth, LA on July 30, 1936. Guy was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. He received the NEA National Medal of Arts in 2003, received the Kennedy Center Honors award in 2012, and received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. See Buddy Guy discography. Watch Buddy Guy videos on YouTube.
Rapper Mac (McKinley J. Phipps Jr) was born in New Orleans on July 30, 1977. See Mac Phipps discography. Watch Mac Phipps videos on YouTube.
1990
Jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis and sons Branford, Delfeayo and Jason appeared on children's television series "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on July 30, 1990 (Episode 1621). Watch a video clip here.
1994
Tickets for Farm Aid VII went on sale in New Orleans on July 30, 1994. The benefit concert was held at the Superdome on September 18, 1994. Performers included Willie Nelson, The Neville Brothers (videos), Spin Doctors, Gin Blossoms, John Conlee, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Deana Carter, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, David Allen Coe, and Wayne Toups. See more videos from Farm Aid VII.
2001
Buddy Guy was the musical guest on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on July 30, 2001 (Buddy's 65th birthday). Buddy performed "Stay All Night" from his "Sweet Tea" album. Watch the video here (date on video is not the original air date).
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2007
Marc Broussard was the musical guest on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on July 30, 2007. He performed "Love and Happiness" (Al Green cover) from his album "S.O.S.: Save Our Soul". Watch the video here.
2021
Zydeco musician Chris Ardoin was shot at an outdoor concert in Colfax, Louisiana on July 30, 2021 (news report). Ardoin was on-stage when approximately 20 gunshots rang out from the crowd, according to authorities. Ardoin and a 14-year-old child were struck and both were hospitalized. Fortunately, the bullet that hit Ardoin missed vital organs. In an odd coincidence, Ardoin was performing at a Mardi Gras event in Mamou, LA on March 4, 2025 when a shooting broke out. Two people died in the shooting, and several others were injured. Ardoin and his band members were okay but shaken up after the incident.
