Died On This Date (May 4, 2010) Joseph Roy Carrier / Zydeco Great

Roy Carrier
1947 – May 4, 2010

Roy Carrier was an accomplished accordion player and singer who was part of a musical family that was highly influential to world of Zydeco and Cajun music.  He was considered to be one of the last living original Zydeco greats of the 50’s and ’60s.  Over a career that began when he was just ten years old, Carrier and his bands drew large crowds at festivals and clubs across the country and beyond.  In 1980, he opened the Offshore Lounge (named so since he earned his living on the offshore oil rigs along the Louisiana coast.)  The club soon became a beacon for up-and-coming zydeco musicians to jam with, or just learn from the area’s best.  During the late ’80s, Carrier said goodbye to the oil business to focus on his music career full time.  He began making records in 1987.  On May 4, 2010, Roy Carrier lost his battle with lung cancer.  He was 63.

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Died On This Date (January 30, 1980) Professor Longhair /New Orleans R&B Icon

Professor Longhair (Born Henry Byrd; aka Roy Byrd)
December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980

Photo by Lindsay Shannon

Professor Longhair was a New Orleans rhythm and blues pianist and singer whose career spanned some thirty years.  Longhair was a street hustler before turning his focus on playing the piano professionally in the late ’40s.  He made several albums throughout his career, mostly considered among the best of the New Orleans genre.  He was also a crowd pleasure at the most respected music festivals in the world, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival.  Longhair suffered a heart attack and died while asleep.  He was 61 years old.

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Rock 'n' Roll Gumbo (Maison de Blues Series) - Professor Longhair

Died On This Date (January 14, 2010) Bobby Charles / New Orleans Hit Songwriter

Bobby Charles (Born Robert Guidry)
February 21, 1938 – January 14, 2010

Bobby Charles is best remembered as the gifted Cajun songwriter who penned “Walking to New Orleans,” a hit for Fats Domino, and “See You Later, Alligator,” a hit for Bill Haley & the Comets.   He also wrote “(I Don’t Know Why I Love You) But I Do” which was recorded by Clarance “Gatemouth” Brown and received prominent placement in the Forrest Gump.  Bobby Charles was 71 when he collapsed and died in his home on January 14, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Bobby Charles

Died On This Date (December 12, 1987) Clifton Chenier / The King Of Zydeco

Clifton Chenier
June 25, 1925 – December 12, 1987

Clifton Chenier was an accordion player, singer, and songwriter who was considered the undisputed king of zydeco music.  The Louisiana native began his music career in 1954, releasing his debut album on a small label that same year.  Thanks to regional touring and local airplay, the album became a minor hit, helping him land a deal with the legendary label, Chess Records.  By the mid ’70s, he was appearing on national television, which expanded his following  even more.  In 1983, he won a Grammy for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Album for I’m Here.  Clifton Chenier was 62 when he died of diabetes related kidney failure on December 12, 1987.

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Bayou Blues - Clifton Chenier

Died On This Date (September 10, 1999) Beau Jocque / Acclaimed Zydeco Performer

Beau Jocque (Born Andrus Espree)
November 1, 1953 – September 10, 1999

Beau Jocque was a Zydeco singer and accordion player who came to prominence in Louisiana during the ’90s.   With his band, the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, Jocque injected rock and funk into the Zydeco sound, endearing him to fans throughout the local clubs.  A big man, standing 6′ 6″ and weighing in at nearly 275 pounds, Jocque died of a fatal heart attack at the age of 46.

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Pick Up On This! - Beau Jocque and The Zydeco Hi-Rollers