Clifton Chenier

Clifton Chenier
Chenier Brothers performing at Jay's Lounge and Cockpit, Cankton, Louisiana, Mardi Gras, 1975 Clifton Chenier on accordion, brother Cleveland on washboard and John Hart on tenor saxophone.
Chenier Brothers performing at Jay's Lounge and Cockpit, Cankton, Louisiana, Mardi Gras, 1975
Clifton Chenier on accordion, brother Cleveland on washboard and John Hart on tenor saxophone.
Background information
Born(1925-06-25)June 25, 1925
Opelousas, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, 1987(1987-12-12) (aged 62)
Lafayette, Louisiana
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • accordion
  • frottoir
Years active1954–1987
LabelsElko, Specialty, Arhoolie, Crazy Cajun, Chess, Alligator
Formerly ofZydeco Ramblers

Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 – December 12, 1987),[1][2] was an American musician known as a pioneer of zydeco, a style of music that arose from Creole music, with R&B, blues, and Cajun influences. He sang and played the accordion. Chenier won a Grammy Award in 1983.[1]

Chenier was known as the King of Zydeco,[1][2][3] and also billed as the King of the South.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference AMG was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Talevski, Nick. (2006). Knocking on Heaven's Door: Rock Obituaries. Omnibus Press. p. 79. ISBN 1846090911.
  3. ^ Fry, Macon & Julie Posner. (1992). Cajun Country Guide: 2nd Edition. Pelican Publishing Company. p. 235. ISBN 1565543378.
  4. ^ "Clifton Chenier". blues.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.