Piano player and business owner Warren Campo Jr. was born in New Orleans on August 31, 1922. He founded Campo Bros. Music Store with brother Lloyd Campo (1924-2014). Later ventures included New Orleans Music Supply and Hall Drum Co. Warren Campo passed away on July 2, 2009 at age 86.
1933
Tenor sax legend Herman Riley was born in New Orleans (Algiers) on August 31, 1933. Herman got his professional start while still in high school when Lee Allen hired him for recording sessions in New Orleans. He later worked with Count Basie, Benny Carter, Jimmy Smith, Joe Williams, Donald Byrd, Gene Ammons, Blue Mitchell, Quincy Jones, and many other musical giants. Riley died of heart failure in Los Angeles on April 14, 2007 at age 73. Read more here. See Herman Riley discography. Watch Herman Riley videos on YouTube.
1937
Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Bobby Parker was born (Robert Lee Parker) in Lafayette, Louisiana on August 31, 1937. Parker moved to Los Angeles with his family at age 6. His professional music career began in the 1950's as a sideman with Bo Diddley and Hucklebuck Williams. He went solo in 1961 and scored a hit with the single "Watch Your Step" (the song later influenced tracks by The Beatles, Allman Brothers, and Led Zeppelin). He signed with Black Top Records in 1993 and recorded his first full length solo album, "Bent Out of Shape", and a second CD in 1995 titled "Shine Me Up", which earned him two 1996 W.C. Handy Award Nominations. Parker passed away in Bowie, Maryland on October 31, 2013 at the age of 76. Read more here and here. See Bobby Parker discography. Watch Bobby Parker videos on YouTube.
1948
Musician, arranger, and songwriter Charlie Brent was born (Charles M. Brent Jr.) in Harahan, LA on August 31, 1948. Brent was a long time associate of Luther Kent, and also worked with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Lenny McDaniel, The Mambo Brothers, The Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks, and others. He was a composer and arranger for the New Orleans Symphony, Ronnie Kole Septet, Ann-Margret, Irma Thomas, and the Tonight Show Band. He passed away on November 28, 2006 at age 58. See Charlie Brent discography.
Multi-talented vocalist Tricia Boutté (aka "Sista Teedy") was born in New Orleans on August 31, 1968. She was the leader of late 90s reggae band Cool Riddims & Sista Teedy, and she has worked with many local luminaries including Allen Toussaint, Ellis Marsalis, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, and Galactic. Tricia has resided in Norway since 2007. She is the niece of famed singers Lillian Boutté (1949-2025) and John Boutté. See Tricia Boutté discography. Watch Tricia Boutté videos on YouTube.
1969
Guitar player, singer, and songwriter Michael Juan Nunez was born in Lafayette, LA on August 31, 1969. Nunez has recorded and/or toured with Zachary Richard, Doug Kershaw, Harry "Big Daddy" Hypolite, Sonny Landreth, Lil' Buck Senegal, Brother Dege, C.C. Adcock, Dr. John, and many others. In the late 90s he was guitarist and vocalist for the blues/rock band RiverBabys. See Michael Juan Nunez discography. Watch Michael Juan Nunez videos on YouTube.
The first concert held in the Louisiana Superdome took place on August 31, 1975. The show, billed as "The Pride of Dixie", featured The Allman Brothers, Wet Willie, Charlie Daniels Band, and Marshall Tucker Band. See concert poster.
