Tenor sax legend and jazz innovator Lester Young (Lester Willis Young, aka "Prez") was born in Woodville, Mississippi on August 27, 1909. He moved to New Orleans as an infant and began to learn music from his father. He played with his family's band (father Willis, sister Irma, and brother Lee Young) in the early 1920's. Young later went on to stardom working with such notables as Count Basie and Billie Holiday. Read more here. See Lester Young discography. Watch Lester Young videos on YouTube.
1916
Cajun fiddler Wade Frugé was born (Wade Joseph Frugé) near Eunice, Louisiana on August 27, 1916. Frugé was a full-time farmer, and a part-time fiddler, playing at local house dances. He was discovered by accordion maker and musician Marc Savoy in the 1970s. His only album, "Old Style Cajun Music", was recorded over a 10-year period at Savoy's home. Frugé passed way at his home in Eunice on June 23, 1992 at age 75.
1930
Trombonist and bandleader Jack Delaney was born in New Orleans on August 27, 1930. Delaney worked with Alvin Alcorn, Sharkey Bonano, Tony Almerico, George Girard, Pete Fountain, Leon Kelner, and others. He passed away on September 22, 1975 at age 45. See Jack Delaney discography. Listen to Jack Delaney music on YouTube.
1940
Zydeco accordionist and bandleader Fernest Arceneaux was born in Carencro, Louisiana on August 27, 1940. In the 1960s, Arceneaux switched to R&B, playing guitar and forming the band Fernest and the Thunders. Clifton Chenier later convinced him to switch back to accordion and playing zydeco. His mid-70s recording "Zydeco Boogaloo" has become a standard in the genre. Fernest was the great-uncle of accordion player and bandleader Corey Arceneaux. He passed away on September 4, 2008 at age 68. Read more here. See Fernest Arceneaux discography. Watch Fernest Arceneaux videos on YouTube.
1948
Percussionist Humberto "Pupi" Menes was born in La Habana, Cuba on August 27, 1948. He came to the USA when he was 14 years old and finished high school in New Orleans. Menes performed locally with Ruben "Mr. Salsa" Gonzalez, Santiago, Otra, Caliente, Freddy Omar, The Iguanas, and others. He passed away on February 1, 2022 at age 73 due to complications from Covid. See Humberto "Pupi" Menes discography.
1960
The Louisiana Hayride radio show ended its 12 year run on station KWKH in Shreveport on August 27, 1960. The program introduced the nation to many future music legends, including Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves. and Johnny Horton. KWKH would later host Hayride shows on an irregular basis. See a poster from the last show. Watch the documentary "Cradle of the Stars: The Story of the Louisiana Hayride."
1965
Brass band trombonist and songwriter Reginald Steward was born in New Orleans on August 27, 1965. Steward was a founding member of Rebirth Brass Band. He has also played with New Birth Brass Band, Jackson Square Allstars, and others. See Reginald Steward discography. Watch Reginald Steward videos on YouTube.
1971
Pianist, composer, and Louis Armstrong's second wife (1924-1931) Lil Hardin Armstrong suffered a heart attack and died while playing "St. Louis Blues" at a Louis Armstrong tribute concert in Chicago on August 27, 1971. She had worked with Freddie Keppard in Chicago before joining King Oliver's band, where she hooked up with Armstrong. Hardin appeared on his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, and composed several songs for those sessions, including "Skid-Dat-De-Dat", "Struttin' With Some Barbecue", and "Hotter Than That".
2005
Better Than Ezra appeared on CBS TV's "Saturday Early Show" music segment Second Cup Cafe on August 27, 2005. They performed "Good", "A Lifetime" and "Our Last Night".
2008
Alt rock band Mutemath were the musical guests on "Late Show with David Letterman" on August 27, 2009. They performed "Backfire" from their second album "Armistice". Watch the video here.
2010
Harry Connick Jr. appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" on August 27, 2010, discussing the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. See video and transcript.
2012
The August 27, 2012 issue of TV Guide Magazine featured an exclusive look inside the second season of The X Factor on its cover, highlighting new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.
