New Orleans born clarinet legend, bandleader and composer Barney Bigard passed away in Culver City, CA on June 27, 1980 at age 74. Bigard played with King Oliver and Louis Armstrong in the 20's before becoming a fixture in Duke Ellington's Orchestra (from 1927-42).

The third Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival took place in Bridgeview, IL on June 26, 2010. Performers with Louisiana ties at the event included Sonny Landreth, Buddy Guy, and James Burton.

Pioneering accordion player and bandleader Clifton Chenier was born in Opelousas, LA on June 25, 1925. Known as "The King of Zydeco", Chenier was one of the first to incorporate R&B and rock into zydeco music, and he is largely responsible for it's gaining popularity outside of Louisiana.

Shreveport, LA native Brenton Wood's single "The Oogum Boogum Song" entered the Billboard Top 40 on June 24, 1967. It peaked at #34 on the pop chart, and reached #19 on the R&B Chart.

Guitarist, vocalist, session player and bandleader Deacon John (John Moore) was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1941.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue were the musical guests on CBS TV's "Late Show with David Letterman" on June 22, 2010. They performed "One Night Only (The March)" from the album "Backatown".

Jazz and soul singer O.C. Smith was born (Ocie Lee Smith) in Mansfield, LA on June 21, 1936. He sang with the Count Basie Orchestra before gaining success as a solo artist, with hits including "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp", the Grammy nominated "Little Green Apples", and "Daddy's Little Man".

Singer and piano player Al "Carnival Time" Johnson was born in New Orleans on June 20, 1939. Johnson is best known for writing and recording the 1960 Mardi Gras classic "Carnival Time".

"Ride Your Pony" by Lee Dorsey entered the Billboard R&B Chart on June 19, 1965. It went on to crack the Top 10, peaking at #7 (it reached #28 on the Pop Chart). The track was arranged by Allen Toussaint. It was written by Naomi Neville (a pseudonym used by Allen Toussaint).

"Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young" by Shreveport, LA native Faron Young reached No. 1 on the Country Chart on June 18, 1955. This was the first of five No. 1 hits for the "Hillbilly Heartthrob", who charted 89 times between 1953 and 1989 (over 35 of his tunes cracked the Top 10).

Piano player and vocalist Sing Miller was born (James Edward Miller) in New Orleans on June 17, 1914. Miller worked with Percy Humphrey and Earl Foster, among others. In latter years, he was a fixture at Preservation Hall. Miller passed away on May 18, 1990 at age 75.

New Orleans-born guitar pioneer and Blues Hall of Fame member Lonnie Johnson passed away in Toronto on June 16, 1970 at age 71. His recording career lasted over 40 years, including sessions in the 20's with Louis Armstrong's Hot Five.

Guitarist, songwriter. and session musician Leo Nocentelli was born in New Orleans on June 15, 1946. Nocentelli was a founding member of legendary funk band The Meters.

Hank Williams Jr. was joined by 5-year-old musical prodigy and Breaux Bridge, Louisiana native Hunter Hayes at the Country Fest at the Texas Motor Speedway on June 14, 1997. Hunter delighted the crowd, performing the Hank Williams Sr. classic "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".

Blues guitarist Lafayette Thomas was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 13, 1928. Thomas worked with Jimmy McCracklin, Little Brother Montgomery, Memphis Slim, and others. His uncle was Shreveport bluesman Jesse "Babyface" Thomas. He died on May 20, 1977 in Brisbane, California at age 48.

New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne was featured on the MTV special "MTV2 Presents: Lil Wayne Unplugged", which aired nationally on June 12, 2011. He became the fourth rapper in history to star on the MTV Unplugged concert series (and the first since 2001). #nolamusichistory #liltunchi #lilwayne

"Ain't It A Shame" (aka "Ain't That A Shame") by Fats Domino hit #1 on the R&B Chart on June 11, 1955. The track was recorded in Hollywood on March 15, 1955 with backing by Walter "Papoose" Nelson, Billy Diamond. Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman, Samuel Lee, Herb Hardesty, and Buddy Hagans.

Deadboy & the Elephantmen made their national TV debut on IFC's "Henry Rollins Show" on June 10, 2006. The duo (Dax Riggs & Tess Brunet) sat down for an interview, and performed "Stop, I'm Already Dead" and "Evil Friend" from their album "We Are Night Sky".

Willard Cox, fiddler, vocalist, and patriarch of the Grammy winning bluegrass/gospel/country group The Cox Family, was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana on June 9, 1937. He passed away in Minden, Louisiana on November 4, 2019 at the age of 82.

Reeds player Sidney Bechet recorded his classic version of "Summertime" for the Blue Note label in New York on June 8, 1939. Bechet, playing soprano saxophone, was backed by pianist Meade "Lux" Lewis, Teddy Bunn on guitar, Johnny Williams on bass, and Big Sid Catlett on drums.

"Action Speaks Louder Than Words" by Chocolate Milk entered the Billboard R&B Chart on June 7, 1975. It was the first of 11 R&B chart entries for the popular New Orleans funk group.

Remembering Dr. John (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019)

Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band were the musical guests on "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on June 5, 2006. They performed "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" (New Orleans '06 version). The Boss dedicated the song to "our friends in New Orleans". #nolamusichistory #nolasky

Lucinda Williams was the musical guest on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on June 4, 2007. She performed "Everything Has Changed" from her album "West".

Legendary tenor sax player and vocalist Sam Butera passed away in Las Vegas on June 3, 2009 at age 81. The New Orleans native was noted for his 21 year stint leading the backup band (Sam Butera & The Witnesses) for trumpeter Louis Prima.

The Rolling Stones kicked off their "Tour of the Americas" with 2 shows at LSU Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA on June 1, 1975. Guitarist Ron Wood, making his concert debut with the Stones, celebrated his 28th birthday on this day.

Louis Armstrong recorded "Sugar Foot Stomp" with Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra for the Columbia label in New York on May 29, 1925. The tune is a big band version of Armstrong and King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues". "Sugar Foot Stomp" was added to the National Recording Registry in 2023.

The Radiators performed "Smokin' Hole" on NBC TV's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on May 26, 1994.

Dr. John appeared on the NBC music series "The Midnight Special" on May 25, 1973. The doctor performed his hits, "Right Place, Wrong Time" and "Such a Night".

The Irma Thomas LP "My Heart's In Memphis: The Songs of Dan Penn" was named Soul/Blues Album of the Year at the 22nd Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards, held in Memphis on May 24, 2001.

Clarence Williams' Washboard 5 recorded "Shake It Down" and "Red River Blues" for the Okeh label in New York on May 23, 1928. Band members included New Orleans cornet legend Joseph "King" Oliver.

"Mother-In-Law" by Ernie K-Doe reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 22, 1961. Allen Toussaint wrote, produced and played piano on the tune, which featured bass singer Benny Spellman (who repeats the "mother-in-law" refrain). "Mother-In-Law" hit #1 on the R&B Chart on April 24, 1961.

"Barefootin'" by Robert Parker entered the Billboard Top 40 on May 21, 1966. The single, released on Wardell Quezergue's Nola Records label, peaked at No. 7 and remained on the chart for 9 weeks. "Barefootin'" had a 17 week run on the R&B Chart, reaching the #2 spot.

Singer, songwriter and longtime New Orleans resident Susan Cowsill was born (Susan Claire Cowsill) in Canton, Ohio on May 20, 1959. Susan was a member of the popular 1960's family band The Cowsills.

"I'm In Love Again" by Fats Domino reached No. 1 on the R&B Chart on May 19, 1956. The song, written by Domino and Dave Bartholomew, held on to the top spot for 9 weeks and remained on the chart for a total of 26 weeks.

Piano player and Campti, Louisiana native Floyd Cramer's rollickin' single, "On the Rebound", hit No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart on May 18, 1961. It reached No. 4 on the U.S. charts. See web site for more May 18th entries. #nolamusichistory

Louis Prima, Keely Smith and Sam Butera and The Witnesses were guests on CBS TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" on May 17, 1959. They performed "Just A Gigolo" / "I Ain't Got Nobody", "When You're Smiling", and "Fever" (f/ Sam Butera). See the web site for more May 17th entries. #nolamusichistory

Guitarist Roy Montrell passed away in Amsterdam on May 16, 1979 at age 51, while on tour with Fats Domino. The New Orleans native was a prolific session player, working for the Specialty and Ace labels, and later for Allen Toussaint's studio band and the AFO (All For One) label.

It was "New Orleans Night" on The Late Show with David Letterman on May 15, 1998. Dave flew in an audience from New Orleans for his CBS late night talk show. Guests included Richard Simmons, John Goodman, musical guest Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, and a cameo by Mayor Marc Morial.

R&B and doo-wop vocalist Will "Dub" Jones was born in Shreveport, LA on May 14, 1928. Jones, a bass vocalist, recorded with The Cadets ("Stranded in the Jungle") and The Jacks before joining future Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, The Coasters in 1958.

Allen Toussaint was the musical guest on "Late Night with David Letterman" on May 13, 1992. He sat in with Paul Shaffer and the band, and also performed his song "Happiness", from the 1991 album "The Allen Toussaint Collection".

Blues harmonica legend Little Walter recorded "Juke" for Checker Records in Chicago on May 12, 1952. Backing Little Walter were Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and Elgin Evans. The song later topped the R&B Chart for 8 weeks, and it remained on the chart for 20 weeks.

Buddy Guy, Dr. John, and Art Neville joined B.B. King, Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and others at a concert in memory of Stevie Ray Vaughan in Austin, TX on May 11, 1995. "SRV Shuffle", from the "Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan" album, won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Larry Williams was born in New Orleans on May 10, 1935. Willams worked with Roy Brown, Percy Mayfield and Lloyd Price prior to being signed by Art Rupe to his Specialty label in 1955.

Louis Armstrong's classic "Hello, Dolly!" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on May 9, 1964. Satchmo dislodged The Beatles, who had held the top spot for the previous 14 weeks. In doing so, Satchmo became the oldest person (at age 63) to ever have a No. 1 one song. Until .....

"Hello Walls" by country music legend and Shreveport, LA native Faron Young hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart on May 8, 1961. It held on to the top spot for 9 weeks, and remained on the chart for 23 weeks.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Dr. John on piano and vocals were musical guests on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on May 7, 2002. They performed "Everything I Do Gon' Be Funky" from the Dozen's "Medicated Magic" album.