Multi-instrumentalist (piano, violin, brass, reeds) and music instructor Manuel "Fess" Manetta was born in New Orleans (Algiers) on October 3, 1889. Manetta's performing career included stints with the Pacific Brass Band, Buddy Bolden, Original Tuxedo Orchestra, Papa Celestin, and Kid Ory. Known as "Professor", Manetta's students included Henry “Red” Allen, Buddie Petit, Emmett Hardy, and Freddie Kohlman. He passed away on October 10, 1969. Rare footage of Manetta can be seen in the video "New Orleans Piano Players". Read more here and here. See Manuel Manetta discography. Listen to Manuel Manetta music on YouTube.
1892
Jazz trombonist, composer, and bandleader Joe "Kid" Avery was born in Waggaman, Louisiana on October 3, 1892. Avery played in southwest Louisiana with the Black Eagles Band and the Yelpin' Hounds, and later had a long association with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band in New Orleans. Compositions include "Joe Avery's Piece", which later became the brass band and Mardi Gras classic "The Second Line". Avery passed away on December 9, 1955. See Joe Avery discography.
1925
Record producer and label owner Johnny Vincent (John Vincent Imbragulio) was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on October 3, 1925. As an A&R man for Specialty Records and founder of Ace Records, Vincent was responsible for many New Orleans classics including Guitar Slim's "The Things I Used To Do", Earl King's "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights", Jimmy Clanton's "Just A Dream", Huey "Piano" Smith's "Rockin' Pneumonia and The Boogie Woogie Flu", and Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise." Vincent passed away in Jackson, MS on February 4, 2000 at age 74. Read more here. See Johnny Vincent discography. Listen to Ace Records music on YouTube.
1959
Swamp rocker Dale Hawkins appeared on ABC's "The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show" on October 3, 1959. He performed his single "Liza Jane".
1966
World-renowned jazz clarinetist Doreen Ketchens was born in New Orleans on October 3, 1966. Doreen has played for four US presidents, but still regularly performs on Royal Street in the French Quarter. See official web site at doreensjazz.org. See Doreen Ketchens discography. Watch Doreen Ketchens videos on YouTube.
1989
Composer, fiddler, vocalist and Cajun music pioneer Dennis McGee passed away in Mamou, Louisiana on October 3, 1989 at age 96. McGee is noted for his early Cajun music recordings (1929 and 1930s) with fellow legends Amede Ardoin, Angelas LeJeune, Sady Courville and Ernest Fruge. In later years, McGee performed on the radio show "Prairie Home Companion" and often appeared at festivals and colleges around the country. He continued to perform well into his 90s. Footage of McGee can be found in the film "Cajun Visits". Read more here and here. See Dennis McGee discography. Watch Dennis McGee videos on YouTube.
Tim McGraw's single "Where the Green Grass Grows" hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart on October 3, 1998. It held the top spot for 4 weeks. The track was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA on September 24, 2024.
2011
Country singer Hank Williams Jr. appeared on the Fox & Friends morning show on October 3, 2011 and caused a media controversy by comparing a golf outing between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner to "Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu". He further referred to the President and Vice President as "the enemy". The comments led to Williams' Monday Night Football theme being pulled by ESPN and the network severing ties with the singer. Read more here. Williams eventually returned, and his updated "All My Rowdy Friends" opened the September 11, 2017 game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings.
2012
The "Love for Levon" benefit concert took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 3, 2012. The event was a posthumous tribute to the life of The Band's vocalist and drummer Levon Helm. Performers included Roger Waters, John Mayer, My Morning Jacket, Warren Haynes, Gregg Allman, Lucinda Williams, Allen Toussaint, and many others. Watch the entire concert here.
