Late trad jazz drummer Alex Bigard (Alexander Louis Bigard) was born in New Orleans on September 25, 1899. His career included stints with the Maple Leaf Orchestra, A.J. Piron, John Robichaux, Willie Pajeaud, Kid Rena, and his own group, the Mighty Four. He became a regular at Preservation Hall, and was there on opening night in 1961. Alex was the brother of clarinet legend Barney Bigard. His cousin was trumpeter Natty Dominique. Read more here. Bigard passed away on June 27, 1978 at age 78. See Alex Bigard discography. Listen to Alex Bigard music on YouTube.
1955
A recording session for Specialty Records at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studio in New Orleans on September 25, 1955 resulted in singles from Big Boy Myles and the Shaw-Wees ("Who's Been Fooling You" / "That Girl I Married"), and Li'l Millet and the Creoles ("Rich Woman" / "Hopeless Love"). Musicians on both releases included Edgar "Big Boy" Miles, Lee Allen, James Victor Lewis, Warren Myles, Ernest Mare, Li'l Millet, and Bartholomew Smith. "Who's Been Fooling You" was written by Professor Longhair. "Rich Woman," written by Dorothy LaBostrie and Li'l Millet (McKinley Millet), was later covered by Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, and won the pair a Grammy Award in 2009.
1965
Louis Armstrong appeared on the ABC variety show "The Hollywood Palace" on September 25, 1965. Satchmo performed "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Dardanella" (w/ host Bing Crosby), and "South Rampart Street Parade" (w/ Crosby, Phil Harris, and The Young Americans).
"Something Like That" by Tim McGraw hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart on September 25, 1999. It held the top spot for 5 straight weeks.
2001
Lost Highway Records released the star-studded tribute album "Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute" on September 25, 2001. It included covers by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, Keith Richards, Hank Williams III, Lucinda Williams ("Cold, Cold Heart"), and others. The album was named Best Country Album at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.
2006
The Louisiana Superdome reopened on September 25, 2006 for the first time since Hurricane Katrina with a Monday Night Football match-up between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. The pregame show featured a performance by U2 and Green Day, with help from Rebirth Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band, Big Sam Williams, and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. The national anthem was performed by Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint. The game was the scene of Steve Gleason's famous blocked punt (later memorialized by the "Rebirth" statue outside of the Superdome). To cap off the night, the Saints whipped the Falcons 23-3. Watch the full game.
2007
Vanguard Records released the 2-CD set "Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino" on September 25, 2007. The star studded recording, benefiting the Tipitina's Foundation, featured new versions of classic Domino songs by Elton John, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Neil Young, Lenny Kravitz, Norah Jones, Toots and The Maytals, and many others.
