Louis Armstrong made his first recordings with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra ("Manda" and "Go 'Long, Mule") for the Columbia label in New York on October 7, 1924.
1930
Jazz trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader George Girard was born in Jefferson Parish, LA on October 7, 1930. Girard worked with Jimmy Archer's Orchestra and Pete Fountain (in the Basin Street Six) before forming his own band, George Girard & His New Orleans Five. Girard died from cancer on January 18, 1957 at the age of 26. See George Girard discography. Listen to George Girard music on YouTube.
1966
New Orleans R&B great Smiley Lewis passed away in New Orleans on October 7, 1966 at age 53. Lewis first recorded in 1947 and later came to prominence with national R&B hits including "The Bells Are Ringing" (No. 10 in 1952) and the classic "I Hear You Knocking" (No. 2 in 1955). The underappreciated singer recorded many other gems that went on to be hits by other artists - "Blue Monday" (popularized by Fats Domino), "One Night" (a hit by Elvis Presley), "I Hear You Knocking" (covered by Fats Domino and Dave Edmunds) - are examples. See Smiley Lewis discography. Listen to Smiley Lewis music on YouTube.
1972
"I Hear You Knocking (It's Too Late)" by Shreveport, LA native Reuben Bell (DeLuxe 140) entered the R&B Chart on October 7, 1972. The song peaked at #38 and remained on the chart for a total of 7 weeks.
1991
Louis Armstrong's 1968 album "What A Wonderful World" was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 7, 1991. It reached Platinum status on July 27, 2001.
1992
New Orleans-born jazz drummer Ed Blackwell passed away in Hartford, CT on October 7, 1992 at age 62. The New Orleans native began his career playing the local R&B scene. He moved to Los Angeles in 1951, and later became a member of Ornette Coleman's classic quartet. Blackwell also played with the American Jazz Quintet, which featured Harold Battiste, Ellis Marsalis, and Alvin Batiste. See Ed Blackwell discography. Watch Ed Blackwell videos on YouTube.
7 year old Zydeco accordion prodigy Guyland Leday (from Frilot Cove, LA) was featured in the debut episode of HBO's documentary series "The Music in Me", which premiered on the cable channel on October 7, 2006. Zydeco star Terrance Simien also appeared in the episode. Watch video clips.
2025
The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held in Nashville on October 7th, 2025. Performers included Lauren Daigle ("Let It Be A Hallelujah"), and Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and special guest Jon Batiste ("Hard Fought Hallelujah"). Daigle was nominated for Artist of the Year, but lost to Forrest Frank.
