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 Clifton 's Blues, a regional hit. In 1955 Ay Tete Fille (Hey, Little Girl) ( originally performed by Professor Longhair ), which also made it known nationally Chenier. With his band, " Zydeco Ramblers " he was henceforth constantly on tour.

Its popularity peaked in the 1980s with the " Red Hot Louisiana Band" its peak. In 1983, he became the second Creole ever won a Grammy for his album I'm Here! .

Clifton Chenier suffered from diabetes, and therefore had to be partially amputated a foot. He died in 1987 of kidney failure. He was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989. The guitarist and songwriter Rory Gallagher wrote a tribute song for Clifton Chenier with the name " The King Of Zydeco ". In addition, his name in the title deed was your Mother is mentioned on the album Graceland by the U.S. singer and songwriter Paul Simon from 1986.

His son CJ Chenier performs his father's zydeco tradition; his cousin Roscoe Chenier (1941-2013) was also a blues musician.