Clifton Chenier
Clifton Chenier (born June 26, 1925 in Opelousas , Louisiana , † December 12, 1987 in Lafayette , Louisiana) was an American blues and zydeco musician. He played the accordion and sang his lyrics in French.
Chenier's musical success began in 1954 with Cliston's Blues , a regional hit. In 1955, Ay Tete Fille (Hey, Little Girl) followed (originally by Professor Longhair ), which Chenier also made nationally known. From then on he was constantly on tour with his band "Zydeco Ramblers". His album Bon Ton Roulet! was awarded the Prix Big Bill Broonzy in 1972.
Its popularity peaked in the 1980s with the Red Hot Louisiana Band. In 1983 he became the second Creole ever to win a Grammy for his album I'm Here! .
Clifton Chenier suffered from diabetes which resulted in a partial amputation of one of his feet. He died of kidney failure in 1987. In 1989 he was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame . Guitarist and songwriter Rory Gallagher wrote a tribute song for Clifton Chenier called "The King Of Zydeco". His name is also mentioned in the title That Was Your Mother on the 1986 album Graceland by US singer and songwriter Paul Simon .
His son CJ Chenier continues his father's Zydeco tradition; his great cousin Roscoe Chenier (1941-2013) was also a blues musician.
Web links
- Clifton Chenier at Allmusic (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Chenier, Clifton |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues and zydeco musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 26, 1925 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Opelousas , Louisiana |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 12, 1987 |
| Place of death | Lafayette , Louisiana |