Louis Armstrong divorced his second wife, pianist Lil Hardin Armstrong on September 30, 1938. The couple had been together for 14 years. Armstrong married third wife Alpha Smith less than two weeks later, on October 11, 1938.
Noted actor, drummer, and percussionist Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson was born in New Orleans on September 30, 1952. Johnson worked with a who's who of NOLA musicians, including the Dixie Cups, King Floyd, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Lloyd Price, Jean Knight, Ernie K-Doe, Johnny Adams, Dr. John, and many others. Johnson appeared in several episodes of the HBO series "Treme". He wrote the Mardi Gras Indian tribute "Pass It On" recorded by Wardell Quezerque & His Slammin' Big Band. Johnson died of a heart attack on March 21, 2010 at age 57. See Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson discography. Watch Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson videos on YouTube.
1967
"Fall In Love With Me" by Shreveport, LA native Bettye Swann entered the R&B chart on September 30, 1967 The song peaked at No. 36, and remained on the chart for 8 weeks.
1982
Bounce and hip-hop singer Magnolia Shorty was born (Renetta Yemika Lowe) in New Orleans on September 30, 1982. Magnolia Shorty, hailed as the Queen of Bounce, was part of the Cash Money stable in the 1990s, alongside Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and others. She was discovered by Birdman (Bryan "Baby" Williams), and her nickname came from Soulja Slim. Her lone official album "Monkey on Tha D$ck" was released on Cash Money Records in 1997. Magnolia Shorty was killed in a drive-by shooting in New Orleans East on December 20, 2010. She was 28 years old. See Magnolia Shorty tribute page on Instagram. See Magnolia Shorty discography. Watch Magnolia Shorty videos on YouTube.
1992
Country music twosome Brooks & Dunn were named Vocal Duo of the Year at the 26th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in Nashville on September 30, 1992. The duo performed "Boot Scootin' Boogie" at the event.
1996
Kenny Wayne Shepherd's debut album "Ledbetter Heights" was certified Gold (sales of 500,000 units in the USA) by the RIAA in 1996. The album was released on September 19, 1995, when Shepherd was 18 years old. The album was certified Platinum on August 18, 2004.
1999
Britney Spears' debut album "... Baby One More Time" was certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA on September 30, 1999. As of July 2004, the album surpassed Diamond status, moving over 14 million copies (14x Platinum) in the USA. According to RCA, the album has sold over 27,000,000 copies worldwide.
2004
Jazz at Lincoln Center's Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame was dedicated in New York on September 30, 2004. Inaugural inductees included Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Lester Young.
2005
World Leader Pretend were musical guests on NBC's "Today Show" on September 30, 2005. The New Orleans alt rock band were interviewed and performed "Tit for Tat". The appearance was part of Today Show's "Make a Difference Today" hurricane relief initiative.
2006
Willie Nelson's Farm Aid 2006 was held in Camden, New Jersey on September 30, 2006. Performers at the event included Jerry Lee Lewis, Steve Earle, Gov't Mule, Los Lonely Boys, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Watch videos from the event here.
2010
Cajun fiddle legend and CFMA Hall of Fame inductee Tony Thibodeaux (Antoine Thibodeaux) passed away at his home in Lake Charles, LA on September 30, 2010 at age 72. The Rayne, Louisiana native performed with Adam Maitre, Walter Mouton, Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys, Belton Richard, Rufus Thibodeaux, and many others. See Tony Thibodeaux obituary. See Tony Thibodeaux discography. Watch Tony Thibodeaux videos on YouTube.
