Legendary country musician, songwriter, and star maker Tillman Franks (Tillman Ben Franks) was born in Stamps, Arkansas on September 29, 1920. Franks, who moved to Shreveport at age two, managed Webb Pierce, Claude King, David Houston, Johnny Horton (he survived the 1960 auto accident that killed Horton), Slim Whitman, and others. He was with the Louisiana Hayride radio show from 1949-1960, and as the booking agent for the Hayride, Franks was the man who introduced future legends Hank Williams and Elvis Presley to the world. His bio, "Tillman Franks: I Was There When It Happened," was published in 2000. Franks passed away in Shreveport on October 26, 2006 at age 86. See Tillman Franks discography. Watch Tillman Franks videos on YouTube.
1935
Rock & roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis aka "The Killer" was born in Ferriday, Louisiana on September 29, 1935. Lewis was a Grammy winnner, and an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Lewis died at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi on October 28, 2022 at age 87. See official web site at jerryleelewis.com. See Jerry Lee Lewis discography. Watch Jerry Lee Lewis videos on YouTube.
1957
Louis Armstrong, Lizzie Miles, and Mahalia Jackson appeared on CBS TV's "DuPont Show of the Month" ('Crescendo' episode) on September 29, 1957. Others appearing on the show included Rex Harrison (host), Carol Channing, Eddy Arnold, Peggy Lee, Turk Murphy, Dinah Washington, and Diahann Carroll. Watch the entire episode on YouTube. Read more about the show here. Watch Satchmo performing "Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen".
1959
Louis Armstrong appeared on ABC TV's "The Bing Crosby Oldsmobile Show" on September 29, 1959. Others appearing included Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra. Watch "Now You Has Jazz" (Louis & Bing), and "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" (all four).
1962
Blues and gospel singer (and one-time Storyville prostitute) Ann Cook passed away in New Orleans on September 29, 1962 (born in 1886, in Fazendeville, Louisiana). Cook recorded "Mama Cookie" and "He's the Sweetest Black Man In Town" for Victor Records in New Orleans on March 7, 1927 (backed by Louis Dumaine's band). She would not record again until cutting the 1949 gospel song "The Lord Will Make a Way" (with Wooden Joe Nicholas' band) b/w "Bye and Bye". Read more about Ann Cook here (an interesting read).
1969
Saxophone and clarinet player Clarence Hall passed away in New Orleans on September 29, 1969 at age 66. Hall first worked with Kid Valentine in Reserve, LA in 1915. He was with Papa Celestin's Original Tuxedo Orchestra for many years, and recorded with them in 1927. He later had a long association with Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino in the heyday of New Orleans R&B, backing Fats Domino, Little Richard, Smiley Lewis, Big Joe Turner, Roy Brown, and many others. (see extensive recording credits). Brothers Edmond Hall, Herb Hall, and Robert Hall were also noted musicians. Listen to Clarence Hall music on YouTube.
1974
Trad jazz pianist and vocalist Billie Pierce (Wilhelmina Madison Goodson) passed away in New Orleans on September 29, 1974 at age 67. Goodson, a Florida native, accompanied several singers during the 1920's. She settled in New Orleans in 1930, playing at local clubs, where she met future husband De De Pierce. The pair led their own group for many years. and played regularly at Preservation Hall. Read more here. See Billie Pierce discography. Listen to Billie Pierce music on YouTube.
1980
Singer, songwriter, guitarist and cello player Marc Paradis was born in Old Town, Maine on September 29, 1980. Marc is a founding member of, and frontman for, local rockers Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. Marc is also founder of the annual camping and music festival Wild Things Family Reunion. You can also catch Marc performing solo, with Rory Danger & The Danger Dangers, Spinal Tap cover band Hello Cleveland, and others. See Marc Paradis discography. Watch Marc Paradis videos on YouTube.
1990
Jazz drummer and bandleader Freddie Kohlman died of cancer at his home in New Orleans (Algiers) on September 29, 1990 at age 75. Kohlman studied under Louis Cottrell, Sr. and Manuel Manetta, and played his first professional gig with the Morgan Brothers at age 11. His lengthy career included stints in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. After returning to New Orleans, Kohlman worked with the Dukes of Dixieland, the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, the Onward Brass Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and others. He also appeared in several movies, including "Pete Kelly's Blues", "Pretty Baby", and "Angel Heart". See Freddie Kohlman recording credits. Watch Freddie Kohlman videos on YouTube.
2006
Rock-and-roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis celebrated his 71st birthday by performing a massive, star-studded concert at Sony Music Studios in New York City on September 29, 2006. The performance was filmed for his television special and live album, "Last Man Standing Live". Joining Jerry Lee Lewis were Norah Jones, Buddy Guy ("Hadacol Boogie"), Merle Haggard, Ivan Neville ("What'd I Say"), John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Ron Wood, and others. Ivan Neville also provided vocals and organ throughout the concert as part of Jerry Lee's backing band. Watch the whole concert here.
2012
The Hunter Hayes single "Wanted" hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart on September 29, 2012. Hayes co-wrote the smash hit with award winning tunesmith and Shreveport native Troy Verges. The cross-over hit reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Wanted" was certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA on August 10, 2018.
