R&B singer/songwriter Percy Mayfield was born in Minden, Louisiana on August 12, 1920. Mayfield was hailed as one of America's greatest songwriters by the likes of Ray Charles and B.B. King, who both recorded Mayfield's tunes. Songs penned for Ray Charles included "Hit The Road, Jack" and "At The Club". Mayfield had his own hits in the 1950's, with "Please Send Me Someone To Love", "Strange Things Happening", and "Cry Baby". Mayfield died of a heart attack while at home in Los Angeles on August 11, 1984 at age 63. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1987. See Percy Mayfield discography. Listen to Percy Mayfield music on YouTube.
1924
Cajun fiddler and vocalist Wallace "Cheese" Read was born in Eunice, LA on August 12, 1924. Read generally shunned the professional circuit, but he did record ("Cajun House Party") for Harry Oster and Chris Strachwitz in 1979. Read passed away in Eunice on November 15, 1981. See Wallace "Cheese" Read discography. Listen to Wallace "Cheese" Read music on YouTube.
1926
Singer, musician, songwriter and arranger Joe Jones was born (Joseph Charles Jones) in New Orleans on August 12, 1926. Jones had a top 10 R&B and pop hit with "You Talk Too Much" in 1960. He was also known for discovering and managing The Dixie Cups. Jones passed away in Los Angeles on November 27, 2005 at age 79. See Joe Jones discography. Listen to Joe Jones music on YouTube.
1940
Swamp pop legend Rod Bernard was born (Rodney Ronald Louis Bernard) in Opelousas, Louisiana on August 12, 1940. His classic cover of King Karl's "This Should Go On Forever" made both the Pop (#20) and R&B (#12) charts in 1959. Bernard passed away on July 12, 2020 at age 79. Watch this Rod Bernard interview and performance from Robert Mugge's film 'Rhythm 'n' Bayous'. Read more about the song "This Should Go On Forever". Read more on Rod Bernard here. See Rod Bernard discography. Listen to Rod Bernard music on YouTube.
1941
Singer Roland Stone was born (Roland A. LeBlanc) in New Orleans on August 12, 1941. Stone was a member of the 1950's dance band The Jokers, and was lured away by Mac Rebennack ("Dr. John"), who enlisted him as a vocalist in his group The Skyliners (check out "Junco Pardner"). Later came a solo regional hit on Ace Records, "Just a Moment of Your Time". Stone dropped out of music for a while, and resurfaced in 1993 with the critically acclaimed CD "Remember Me". He passed away on December 22, 1999 at age 58. See Roland Stone discography. Listen to Roland Stone music on YouTube.
1950
Piano legend Professor Longhair's single "Bald Head" (credited to Roy Byrd and his Blues Jumpers) entered the R&B Charts on August 12, 1950. It topped out at the #5 spot.
1951
Noted funk and R&B drummer Herman "Roscoe" Ernest was born (Herman V. Ernest III) on August 12, 1951. Ernest was the longtime beat keeper for Dr. John. His extensive recording credits include LaBelle's 1974 #1 hit "Lady Marmalade." Ernest was also featured in the instructional video "New Orleans Drumming" with Earl Palmer, Herlin Riley and Johnny Vidacovich. He passed away from cancer on March 6, 2011 at age 59. Read more here. Watch Herman Ernest videos on YouTube.
1972
Influential string bassist Eddie Dawson passed away in Memphis on August 12, 1972 at age 88. He worked with Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Joe Oliver, Buddy Petit, Kid Rena, Hypolite Charles, Kid Clayton, Albert Jiles, Peter Bocage, and others. Dawson recorded with Peter Bocage, Kid Howard, and Herb Morand. Listen to Eddie Dawson on bass with the Barnes Bocage Big Five.
2005
Cajun musician (drums, guitar, fiddle) and vocalist Crawford Vincent passed away in Baytown, Texas on August 12, 2005 at age 83. The Gueydan, Louisiana native worked with The Hackberry Ramblers, Leo Soileau, Harry Choates, Cliff Bruner, Iry LeJeune, and many others. See Crawford Vincent discography. Listen to Crawford Vincent music on YouTube.
2005
Noted Cajun and country fiddler and session player Rufus Thibodeaux passed away in Nashville on August 12, 2005 at age 71. The Ridge, Louisiana native recorded with Jimmy C. Newman, Bob Wills, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr., Neil Young (he toured with Neil also), and others. Read more here. See Rufus Thibodeaux discography. Listen to Rufus Thibodeaux music on YouTube.
2011
19 year old music whiz and Breaux Bridge, Louisiana native Hunter Hayes made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on August 12, 2011. Hunter performed his hit sing;e "Storm Warning."
