Rockabilly great Dale Hawkins (nee Delmar Allen Hawkins) was born in Goldmine, Louisiana on August 22, 1936. Hawkins came to national fame in 1957 when his swamp flavored "Susie-Q" made it to No. 7 on the R&B Chart and No. 27 on the Pop chart. Follow ups to the rock classic included "La-Do-Dada" (#32 in 1958), "A House, A Car and A Wedding Ring" (#88 in 1958), and "Class Cutter (Yeah Yeah)" (#52, 1959). Hawkins got into producing in the early 60's, working with John Fred & His Playboy Band ("How Can I Prove"), Joe Stampley and The Uniques ("Not Too Long Ago"), The Five Americans (Top 10 hit "Western Union"), Bruce Channel ("Mr. Bus Driver"), and others. After a long layoff, Hawkins returned to the music scene and released "Wildcat Tamer", his first album in 30 years, in 1999. Hawkins passed away on February 13, 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas at age 73. See Dale Hawkins discography. Watch Dale Hawkins videos on YouTube.
1977
New Orleans-born jazz and blues drummer Judge Riley (Lawrence Riley) passed away in Chicago on August 22, 1977 at age 68. Riley played with several brass bands in New Orleans before going joining the Fats Pichon Orchestra in 1932. He spent time in St. Louis before settling in Chicago in 1941. There he backed several blues legends, often teamed with bassist and fellow New Orleanian Ransom Knowling. He can be heard on recordings by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tampa Red, and others. See Judge Riley discography. Listen to Judge Riley music on YouTube.
1990
Country blues great Boogie Bill Webb passed away in New Orleans on August 22, 1990 at age 66. Webb was heavily influenced by Delta bluesman Tommy Johnson, who often played at Webb's mother’s fish fries in New Orleans. His recording debut came in 1953, with the Dave Bartholomew produced single "Bad Dog" for Imperial Records. Webb, who was rarely recorded, released his first full length album, "Drinkin' and Stinkin'" in 1989. Read more here and here. See Boogie Bill Webb discography. Watch Boogie Bill Webb videos on YouTube.
1999
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was profiled on "CBS News Sunday Morning" on August 22, 1999. The lengthy segment showed Gatemouth at the New Orleans House of Blues, visiting the Louisiana Music Factory, and relaxing at his home in Slidell, Louisiana. The piece was in honor of Brown's 50th anniversary as a recording artist.
Swamp blues harmonica player, guitarist and vocalist Lazy Lester (Leslie Carswell Johnson) passed away at his home in Paradise, California on August 22, 2018 at the age of 85. The Torras, Louisiana native (born June 20, 1933) started out playing Louisiana clubs with Big John Jackson and Guitar Gable. He met Lightnin' Slim on a bus in the mid-50's and tagged along with him to a session at J.D. Miller's recording studio in Crowley, Louisiana. When the harmonica player scheduled for Slim's session failed to show, Lester volunteered his talents, initiating a fertile creative relationship with Miller that helped pioneer the Louisiana swamp music style. His most well known recordings include "I'm A Lover Not A Fighter", "Sugar Coated Love", and "I Hear You Knockin'". Lazy Lester was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012. Read more at lazylester.net. See Lazy Lester discography. Watch Lazy Lester videos on YouTube.
