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Clifton Chenier (1925-1987)

"Laissez le bon temps rouler..."

Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) a Creole French speaking native of Opelousas, Louisiana, was an eminent performer and recording artist of Zydeco music, a blend of Cajun and Creole music with R&B, jazz, and blues influences. He played the accordion, and won a Grammy Award in 1982. Chenier's career began in 1954, when he signed with Elko Records and released Clifton's Blues, a regional success. His first hit record was soon followed by Ay 'Tite Fille (Hey, Little Girl) (a cover of Professor Longhair's song), which received some mainstream success. With the Zydeco Ramblers, Chenier toured extensively and soon signed to Chicago, Illinois' Chess Records, followed by Arhoolie. Chenier reached a wide audience when he appeared on the premier full season of the PBS music television program Austin City Limits in 1976,[1] and returned for a follow-up episode in 1979 with his Red Hot Louisiana Band. His popularity peaked in the 1980s, when he won a Grammy Award for his 1982 album, I'm Here, the first ever Grammy for his new label, Alligator Records. Chenier was the second Creole to win a Grammy, after Queen Ida. Chenier is also credited with redesigning the wood and crimped tin washboard into the frottoir, an instrument that would easily hang from the shoulders. Cleveland Chenier, Clifton's older brother, also played in the Red Hot Louisiana Band and would find equal popularity for his ability to manipulate the distinctive sound of the washboard by rubbing several bottle openers (held in each hand) along its ridges. Chenier and his band traveled throughout the world during their prime. In his later years, Chenier was beset by health problems. One of his feet had to be amputated because of diabetes, and he frequently required dialysis. Chenier died of diabetes-related kidney disease in December 1987 in Lafayette. He was buried in All Souls Cemetery in Loreauville, Iberia Parish, Louisiana. Since 1987 his son performing as C. J. Chenier, is carrying on in the Zydeco tradition touring with his father's band and recording albums. Notable guitarist and songwriter Rory Gallagher wrote a song in tribute to Clifton Chenier entitled The King Of Zydeco, and Chenier is mentioned in Paul Simon's song That Was Your Mother. He is also mentioned by his first name in John Mellencamp's song, Lafayette, about the city of that name south of Opelousas, where Chenier often performed. The song is on Mellencamp's 2003 album Trouble No More. (quoted from wikipedia.org)

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