Noted guitarist and bandleader Edgar Blanchard was born (Edgar Vernon Blanchard) in Grosse Tête, Louisiana on August 17, 1924. He led his own band (Edgar Blanchard & the Gondoliers), and was busy in the recording studio on sessions with Roy Brown, Big Joe Turner, Professor Longhair, Lloyd Price, Little Richard, Ray Charles, and others. He passed away on September 16, 1972 at age 48. Read more here and here. See Edgar Blanchard discography. Listen to Edgar Blanchard music on YouTube.
1927
Legendary tenor sax man Sam Butera was born in New Orleans on August 17, 1927. Butera is noted for his 21 year stint leading the backup band for trumpeter Louis Prima. After Prima fell into a coma in 1975, Butera continued performing and touring the world until retiring in 2004. He released several solo albums, and also recorded with Frank Sinatra (check out "Stargazer") and Sammy Davis Jr., among others. Butera passed away in Las Vegas on June 3, 2009 at age 81. Read more about Sam here, here and here. See Sam Butera discography. Watch Sam Butera videos on YouTube.
1937
Swamp pop guitarist Guitar Gable (real name Gabriel Perrodin) was born in Bellevue, LA on August 17, 1937. Guitar Gable can be heard on tracks by Lazy Lester, Classie Ballou, Bobby Charles, Slim Harpo, and others, His better known solo tunes include "Congo Mombo" and "This Should Go On Forever". He passed away in Opelousas, LA on January 28, 2017 at age 79. Read more here and here. See Guitar Gable discography. Watch Guitar Gable videos on YouTube.
1939
Musician, singer, arranger and music educator Raymond Jones (aka Ray J) was born (Raymond L. Jones, Sr.) in New Orleans on August 17, 1939. Jones played with Oliver & The Rockettes, Deacon John, Pinstripe Brass Band, Big Al Carson, Sullivan Dabney, and others. He was a music teacher and band director at Xavier University Preparatory School for 25 years. He passed away on February 6, 2011 at age 71 (obituary). Read more here. See Raymond Jones discography. Listen to Ray J music on YouTube.
1954
Jazz and gospel singer Juanita Brooks was born (Juanita J. Brooks) in New Orleans on August 17, 1954. Brooks was known for her theatrical work in "One Mo' Time," "Staggerlee," and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom". She died on September 10, 2009 at age 55 due to complications following back surgery. See Juanita Brooks recording credits. Watch Juanita Brooks videos on YouTube.
1959
"I'm Gonna Get Married" by R&B great Lloyd Price entered the Billboard Top 40 and R&B charts on August 17, 1959. The tune later reached #3 on the Pop Chart and #1 on the R&B Chart (for 3 weeks).
1960
Music promoter and club owner Kelly Keller (Kelly Ann Keller) was born in Eunice, LA on August 17, 1960. Kelly open the Lee Circle music venue and watering hole Circle Bar in 1999 with partners Dave Clements (owner of Snake and Jakes Christmas Club Lounge) and Jim "The Hound" Marshall. She passed away in New Orleans on September 25, 2004 at age 44. Read more here and here.
1959
Jerry Lee Lewis was a guest on CBS variety series "Hee Haw" on August 17, 1969. Lewis performed "What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)". Watch the video here.
