Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) was an American Zydeco … Read Full Bio ↴Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) was an American Zydeco accordion player and singer.
Chenier, a Creole French-speaking native of Opelousas, Louisiana, was an eminent performer and recording artist of Zydeco, which arose from Cajun and Creole music, with rhythm & blues, jazz, and blues influences. He won a Grammy Award in 1983. In 1984 he was honored as a National Heritage Fellow and in 1989 he was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
He was known as the 'King of Zydeco', and also billed as the 'King of the South'.
Chenier began his recording career 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). This received some mainstream success. With the Zydeco Ramblers, Chenier toured extensively. He also toured in the early days with Clarence Garlow, billed as the 'Two Crazy Frenchmen'. Chenier was signed with Chess Records in Chicago, followed by the Arhoolie label.
In April 1966, Chenier appeared at the Berkeley Blues Festival on the University of California campus and was subsequently described by Ralph J. Gleason, Jazz critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, as "... one of the most surprising musicians I have heard in some time, with a marvelously moving style of playing the accordion .. blues accordion, that's right, blues accordion."
Chenier was the first act to play at Antone's, a blues club on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. Later in 1976, he reached a national audience when he appeared on the premiere season of the PBS music program Austin City Limits.[8] Three years later in 1979 he returned to the show with his Red Hot Louisiana Band.[9]
Chenier's popularity peaked in the 1980s, and he was recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album I'm Here.[1] It was the first Grammy for his new label Alligator Records. Chenier followed Queen Ida as the second Louisiana Creole to win a Grammy.
Chenier is 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. He found popularity for his ability to manipulate the distinctive sound of the frottoir by rubbing several bottle openers (held in each hand) along its ridges.
During their prime, Chenier and his band traveled throughout the world.
Chenier suffered from diabetes which eventually forced him to have a foot amputated and required dialysis because of associated kidney problems.
He died of diabetes-related kidney disease in December 1987 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was buried in All Souls Cemetery in Loreauville, Iberia Parish, Louisiana.
Since 1987 his son, C. J. Chenier, has carried on the Zydeco tradition by touring with his father's band and recording albums.
In 1989, Chenier was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Rory Gallagher wrote a song in tribute to Chenier entitled "The King of Zydeco". Paul Simon mentioned Chenier in his song "That Was Your Mother", from his 1986 album Graceland. John Mellencamp refers to "Clifton" in his song "Lafayette", about the Louisiana city where Chenier often performed. The song is on Mellencamp's 2003 album Trouble No More. Zachary Richard mentioned Chenier in his song "Clif's Zydeco" (on Richard's 2012 album Le Fou).
The jam band Phish often covers Chenier's song "My Soul" in live performances.
Chenier is the subject of Les Blank's 1973 documentary film, Hot Pepper.
Chenier, a Creole French-speaking native of Opelousas, Louisiana, was an eminent performer and recording artist of Zydeco, which arose from Cajun and Creole music, with rhythm & blues, jazz, and blues influences. He won a Grammy Award in 1983. In 1984 he was honored as a National Heritage Fellow and in 1989 he was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
He was known as the 'King of Zydeco', and also billed as the 'King of the South'.
Chenier began his recording career 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). This received some mainstream success. With the Zydeco Ramblers, Chenier toured extensively. He also toured in the early days with Clarence Garlow, billed as the 'Two Crazy Frenchmen'. Chenier was signed with Chess Records in Chicago, followed by the Arhoolie label.
In April 1966, Chenier appeared at the Berkeley Blues Festival on the University of California campus and was subsequently described by Ralph J. Gleason, Jazz critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, as "... one of the most surprising musicians I have heard in some time, with a marvelously moving style of playing the accordion .. blues accordion, that's right, blues accordion."
Chenier was the first act to play at Antone's, a blues club on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. Later in 1976, he reached a national audience when he appeared on the premiere season of the PBS music program Austin City Limits.[8] Three years later in 1979 he returned to the show with his Red Hot Louisiana Band.[9]
Chenier's popularity peaked in the 1980s, and he was recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album I'm Here.[1] It was the first Grammy for his new label Alligator Records. Chenier followed Queen Ida as the second Louisiana Creole to win a Grammy.
Chenier is 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. He found popularity for his ability to manipulate the distinctive sound of the frottoir by rubbing several bottle openers (held in each hand) along its ridges.
During their prime, Chenier and his band traveled throughout the world.
Chenier suffered from diabetes which eventually forced him to have a foot amputated and required dialysis because of associated kidney problems.
He died of diabetes-related kidney disease in December 1987 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was buried in All Souls Cemetery in Loreauville, Iberia Parish, Louisiana.
Since 1987 his son, C. J. Chenier, has carried on the Zydeco tradition by touring with his father's band and recording albums.
In 1989, Chenier was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Rory Gallagher wrote a song in tribute to Chenier entitled "The King of Zydeco". Paul Simon mentioned Chenier in his song "That Was Your Mother", from his 1986 album Graceland. John Mellencamp refers to "Clifton" in his song "Lafayette", about the Louisiana city where Chenier often performed. The song is on Mellencamp's 2003 album Trouble No More. Zachary Richard mentioned Chenier in his song "Clif's Zydeco" (on Richard's 2012 album Le Fou).
The jam band Phish often covers Chenier's song "My Soul" in live performances.
Chenier is the subject of Les Blank's 1973 documentary film, Hot Pepper.
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Choo Choo Ch'Boogie' by these artists:
101 Strings Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Asleep At The Wheel Heading for the station with a pack on my back Tired…
B.B. King Headin? for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Bill Haley Take me right back to the track, Jack Headin' for the…
Bill Haley His Comets Headin' for the station with a pack on my back Tired…
Bill Haley & His Comets Take me right back to the track, Jack Headin' for the…
Bill Haley His Comets Headin' for the station with a pack on my back Tired…
Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Five Guys Named Moe Headin' for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Harry James & His Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Indigo Swing I′m headed for the station with a pack on my…
Jordan Louis Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Jordan Louis Tympany Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Lois Jordan And His Tympany Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan Headin' for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan His Tympany Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Headin' for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five Headin' for the station with a pack on my back, I'm…
Louis Jordan And The Tympany Five Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Jourdan Headin' for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Louis Louis Louis Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
Manhattan Transfer I'm headin' for the station with a pack on my…
Quincy Jones & His Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Shuggie Otis Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
The Manhattan Transfer I'm headin' for the station with a pack on my…
The New 101 Strings Orchestra Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twen…
Tim Timebomb and Friends Boo! What's that moving in the corner What's that shadow on …
V.A. Heading for the station with a pack on my back I'm…
various artist เมียพี่มีชู้ ชาวบ้านรู้หรือเปล่า ไม่เคยรู้ข่าวแพร่งพราย ผู้ห…
Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel Heading for the station with a pack on my back Tired…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Clifton Chenier:
All Night Long Cockburn Bruce 73 Night Vision Mama Just Wants To Barrelho…
Ay-Te Te Fee Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille Ooh'tite fille Hé'tite fille,…
Ay-Tete-Fee Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille Ooh'tite fille Hé'tite fil…
Bon Ton Roulet Et tout quelqu'une Allons amuser Tu juste vis une fois Et qu…
Calinda Tua boca linda Essa boca linda Essa boca linda Tua boca lind…
Driftin' Blues Well I'm drifting and drifting, Like a ship out on the…
Dry Your Eyes Don't cry, don't cry, baby Don't you cry, don't you cry Dry…
Eh 'Tite Fille Oh, oh, 'tite fille, oh, toi qu'est si jolie, Oh, oh,…
I You went away and left me long time ago And now…
I'm a Hog for You nae nalkeun gitareul deureo haji motan gobaegeul hogeun goji…
I'm Coming Home I'm, I'm coming home 'Cause I feel, you know I feel…
I'm on the Wonder I'm on the wonder If you ever think of me I'm on…
Le Blues De La Vache A Lait Well, I woke up this morning And I looked out the…
Moi J'Ai Une P'tite Femme Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Rosemary If you see Rose Mary, tell her I'm coming home…
Shake Rattle And Roll Get out from that kitchen, And rattle those pots and pans, …
What Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Whole Lotta Lovin I've got a whole lotta loving for you True, true loving…
Yesterday Yesterday, I lost the best friend I ever had Yesterday, I…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Jimmy TEDESCO
GREAT !
David Dominge
wow