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.
Going Down Slow
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Going Down Slow' by these artists:
Al & the Coholics Yeah You might not know me but i’m in a deadly…
Aretha Franklin I have had my fun if I never get well…
B.B. King I've had my fun If I don't get well no…
Bo Diddley & Muddy Waters Alright, alright. Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen rig…
Bob Hall I'v had my fun if I don't ever get well…
Bobby Tim and Bob Bobby Valentino You know how we do It's another …
Bobby "Blue" Bland I've had my fun if I don't get well no…
Champion Jack Dupree Going Down Slow 4:01 Trk…
Crystal Gayle Whatever we had goin', ain't showin' anymore Where there use…
David "Honeyboy" Edwards I have had my fun if I never get well…
Duke Robillard Band / Jimmy Witherspoon Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Eddie Well you're a fast movin' woman, I'm a slow movin'…
Eddie 9V Oh my lord you don't want my soul Shoot up…
Eric Burdon & Jimmy Witherspoon Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Eric Clapton I have had my fun if I never get well…
Exmag Everybody's searching for something But they really wan…
Gayle Crystal Whatever we had going ain't showing anymore Where there used…
Howlin' Wolf Man You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens…
Howlin' Wolf / Muddy Waters / Bo Diddley Alright, alright. Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen rig…
Howlin' Wolf and The Wolf Gang Man You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Howlin' Wolf Muddy Waters Bo Diddley Alright, alright. Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen rig…
Howlin' Wolf/Various Man You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Huey Lewis & The News Well I've had my fun if I don't get well…
J'S PLAY 1 - Aretha Franklin I have had my fun, if I don't get well…
J. C. Smith Band Uh yuh mow him down Get back in to cover reload…
J. Dustin Sommers Tip top, chip-chop Take her to the chop shop She like love…
J. Spaceman Yeah, I'm going down Going down, down, down, down, down I'…
J.C. Smith Band Uh yuh mow him down Get back in to cover reload…
Jimmy Witherspoon & Robben Ford Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Johnny Winter I've had my fun if I don't get well no…
Led Zeppelin You need cooling Baby I'm not fooling I'm gonna send ya B…
Legends (Clapton/Gadd/Miller/Sample/Sanborn) Do doot do do dooo Do doot doot do do…
Legends (Feat. Eric Clapton) I have had my fun if I never get well…
Lewis Huey & News The Well I've had my fun if I don't get well…
Lick And A Promise Aaaa DJ Breezy Call me Breezy boy kwasia papa King Promise Y…
Little Walter I've had my fun No, I ain't gonna get well no…
Mance Lipscomb I done had my fun if I don't get well…
Muddy Waters Man You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens…
Muddy Waters & Bo Diddley Man You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens…
Muddy Waters & Bo Diddley & Howling Wolf & Buddy Guy & Otis Span Alright, alright. Thank you so much ladies and gentlemen rig…
Mungo Jerry Well he got up Sunday put on his jeans Packed his…
Nappy Brown & The Roosters Can’t find my way I’m falling Right through the darkness fal…
Otis Spann I have had my fun If I don't get well no…
Pinetop Perkins I have had my fun, if I don't get well…
Ray Charles Well Ive had my fun if I dont get well…
Robben Ford Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Robert Lockwood Jr. & The Aces Party animal back at the tele now Katie and her best…
St. Louis Jimmy Oh yea yea yea Oh yea yea yea You ain't never seen…
The Animals I have had my fun if I never get well…
The Animals feat. Eric Burdon (speaks) Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and q…
The Electric Flag I've had my fun If I never get well no more Yes…
The Muddy Waters Tribute Band I have had my fun, if I don't get well…
Tom Jones & Jeff Beck Man, you know I've enjoyed things that kings and queens…
Willie Dixon and Friends You know it's only a matter of time Before you break…
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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