Violinist and orchestra leader Armand J. Piron was born in New Orleans on August 16, 1888. Piron began playing professionally in 1904. He took over the Olympia Orchestra (band members included Joe "King" Oliver, Sidney Bechet and Clarence Williams) in 1912 when Freddie Keppard moved to California. He formed the Piron & Williams Publishing Company with Clarence Williams in 1915. He led Piron's New Orleans Orchestra, which played Tranchina's for several years in the 1920's, and later worked with various groups on the S.S. Capitol and other river boats. Piron passed away on February 17, 1943 at age 54. See Armand Piron discography. Listen to Armand Piron music on YouTube.
1905
Late trumpeter, bandleader and deejay Tony Almerico was born in New Orleans on August 16, 1905. Almerico recorded with Lizzie Miles, Pete Fountain, Leon Prima, and others. He ran the Parisian Room on Royal Street from 1948-60. Almerico died on December 05, 1961 at age 56. See Tony Almerico discography. Listen to Tony Almerico music on YouTube.
1919
Noted Cajun fiddler and singer Chuck Guillory was born (Murphy Guillory) in Mamou, Louisiana on August 16, 1919. Guillory's 1949 recording of "Big Texas" ("Grand Texas") is believed to be the basis for the Hank Williams hit "Jambalaya". It was written by guitarist Papa Cairo (Julius Lamperez). Read more about "Big Texas". Guillory passed away on October 19, 1998 at age 79. Read more about Chuck Guillory here. See Chuck Guillory discography. Listen to Chuck Guillory music on YouTube.
1925
New Orleans born blues singer and vaudeville performer Edna Hicks passed away in Chicago on August 16, 1925 at age 29. See Edna Hicks discography. Listen to Edna Hicks music on YouTube.
1935
R&B vocalist Bobby Mitchell was born in New Orleans (Algiers) on August 16, 1935. Mitchell was known for his tunes "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" and "Try Rock and Roll" (the latter reached #14 on the R&B chart in 1956). He passed away on March 17, 1989 at age 53. See Bobby Mitchell discography. Listen to Bobby Mitchell music on YouTube.
1936
Vocalist and tenor sax player Huey "Cookie" Thierry was born in Roanoke, Louisiana on August 16, 1936. Thierry was leader of the 60's swamp pop group Cookie & The Cupcakes (famous for their 1959 hit "Mathilda"). He passed away in Lake Charles, LA on September 23, 1997 at age 61. See Huey Thierry discography. Listen to Huey Thierry music on YouTube.
1942
R&B singer Barbara George was born (Barbara Ann Smith) in Smithridge, Louisiana on August 16, 1942. George's hit "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (A.F.O. Records) topped the R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1961. It also reached #3 on the Pop Chart. She passed away in Chauvin, Louisiana on August 10, 2006 at age 63. Read more here. See Barbara George discography. Watch Barbara George videos on YouTube.
1943
Swamp pop singer T.K. Hulin was born (Alton James Hulin) in St. Martinville, Louisiana on August 16, 1943. Hulin started his first band, T.K. and the Lonely Knights, while still in high school. They released their first single, "Many Nites" b/w "Little Bitty Boy" in 1957. He is known for his hits "I'm Not A Fool Anymore" and "As You Pass Me By (Graduation Night)". Hulin, who suffers from primary lateral sclerosis, retired in 2024 after a career spanning almost 70 years. A documentary on Hulin, "Good Time Hard-Loving Cajun Man", was released in 2025. See T.K. Hulin discography. Watch T.K. Hulin videos on YouTube.
1956
Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald recorded the acclaimed album, "Ella and Louis", for the Verve label in Los Angeles on August 16, 1956. Listen to the album on Youtube. Personnel on the album included Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich. Read more here.
1967
Louis Armstrong recorded his classic single "What A Wonderful World" for the ABC Paramount label on August 16, 1967. Satchmo's last big hit topped the British charts for 4 weeks in 1968, but did not gain widespread popularity at home until 1988, when it was included in the soundtrack to the film, "Good Morning, Vietnam". It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. "What A Wonderful World" was certified 5X Platinum (sales of 5 million units) by the RIAA on June 13, 2024.
1969
Musical guests on ABC's "The Johnny Cash Show" on August 16, 1969 included Melanie, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, O.C. Smith (with his son, O.C. Smith Jr.), and Grandpa Jones. Watch the entire episode here.
1988
Singer, songwriter and actor Rod Melancon (aka Rod Gator) was born in Wright, Louisiana on August 16, 1988. Read more here and here. See Rod Melancon discography. Watch Rod Melancon videos on YouTube.
1988
New Orleans based singer, songwriter producer, and performance artist Boyfriend was born (Suzannah Elizabeth Powell) in Nashville, Tennessee on August 16, 1988. Read more here. See Boyfriend discography. Watch Boyfriend videos on YouTube.
2006
Spike Lee's epic Hurricane Katrine documentary "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts" had it's world premiere in New Orleans on August 16, 2006. Thousands attended the free screening, which was held at the New Orleans Arena. The premiere was held 5 days before the film made its debut on HBO. Read more about the film here.
2025
Buddy Guy's 20th studio album, "Ain't Done With the Blues", debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart for the week of August 16, 2025. This was his eighth album to top the chart. Buddy Guy's Billboard chart history dates back to the single "Stone Crazy" in 1962.
