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.
One Step at a Time
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'One Step at a Time' by these artists:
Aaron Hastings Well, it's been a while Since I picked up a guitar And…
Alohaii / Lone Alpha (Feeling the, feeling the, feeling the breeze, looking) (Fee…
Bearson You had me too standing up far Something we believed in I…
Brenda Lee A just take it one step at a time Just one…
Buddy Jewell I've been humbled by the Glory, and the power of…
Cherry and the Other People Take it one step at a time One step at a…
Cheryl Wheeler I′m alright I'll get by Hold my own Tell you why Hard times …
Chris Marks I'm sorry but I won't make it back home Must've been…
Coconut Wolf I've got none with me and none miss me It's 20/20…
Dee Daniels One moment in time I had given up all hope I was…
Deep Insight It's hard to fall asleep when you dreamed your life Away You…
Doris Day & Les Brown Once I was young, yesterday, perhaps Danced with Jim and Pau…
Drake When she picked up the telephone, his voice came on…
Ed O.G. & Insight Innovates What if I can fly away What if I can jump…
Elliot Snickers bars turn into cigarettes Nobody's quite sure what …
Exile Yeah, one time, one life Stake my soul Make-or-break, whoa,…
Failure Anthem One step at a time, I never cared if I…
Father and Son Come on just one more time Come on just one more…
Four Year Strong Sometimes it's hard to say the right thing The right way…
Francine Jarry & Abraham-Hicks I stayed awake all night Thinkin' of you And watched the sun…
Francis Rossi One step at a time failing in my memory nowhere left to…
G.A.T.E. Look at the time I'm on I'm bout to get it…
George Strait I couldn't help but over hear your conversation When you tol…
Harem Scarem I'm holding on to the best thing that I ever…
Hit Co. Masters Let me talk to you I dont wanna fuss I can…
Howard Moss We need to take it one day at a time Forget…
Ill-Advised Poetry That one time took you for a ride cruised and…
Irys Another day, I wander Without escape, I ponder A million que…
Jane McDonald The first time, ever I saw your face I thought the…
Jean-paul Genré Lately I've been alone Its been on my mind I look at…
Jeff Lynne's ELO Talk to me don't leave me wondering Talk to me let's…
Jem Pryse Don't worry child Don't worry child Oh you gotta let go of…
Jewell Buddy I've been humbled by the Glory, and the power of…
Johnny Winter My baby told me got to take one step at…
Jordin Sparks Hurry up and wait So close, but so far away Everything that…
Keisha White We're in the year 2003 Will there be a next century? Well,…
Kidz Bop Hurry up and wait, so close but so far away Everything…
KIDZ BOP Kids Hurry up and wait, so close but so far away Everything…
Leo Sayer I’ve been down this road so many times But I ain’t…
Louis Eliot & The Embers I can lose myself in smoke I always survive the worst…
Magon Four levels in the sky We’ll take it one step at…
Manny and the Tools Girl I go fight for your love I’m ready to…
Mardi Lumsden and the Rising Seas feat. Mardi Lumsden One step at a time Is all you need to climb. In…
Maxine Brown One step a time, boy You're moving too fast, boy One step…
Michael Bublé one step at a time That's how it's gotta be from…
Mike Zito I ain’t high on cocaine I don’t need the pain It's bad…
Morfonica 緊張や不安は 何かが始まる合図 震える足 はやる胸 新たな世界が呼んでる 街中はきらめき 木々や花は匂い立つ 運命はあな…
Mr. Phoenix One step one step at a time Visionary I already crossed…
Nebbra Everyday I wake up in the summer And all the stars…
Omer Klein / Haggai Cohen-Milo / Amir Bresler Take one step at a time Say you'll always be…
Praise and Harmony One step further with your faith The sea will withdraw the…
Red.Was.Here Yeah Uh It took a couple summers but I learned my lesson I…
Sammy Kershaw I've talked enough, you're smudging the truth It's gasping …
Sinking Season Ever since I was a Ever since I was a Ever since…
SPARKS JORDIN Hurry up and wait So close, but so far away Everything that…
T11 Hurry up, and wait So close, but so far away Everything that…
The Harry London Big Band And Victor Rossini And His Orchestra The first time ever I saw your face I thought the…
The Hit Crew Oh, baby, baby Oh, baby, baby Oh, baby, baby, how was I…
The London Gone until the early evening Search for her her her For sinc…
The Rambos (Let me see you... I love it when you) Pack showed…
The Temptations The first time ever I saw your face I thought the…
Top Country All-Stars おおきくOne step 向こう側へ 強く願えばきっと行ける 遥か遠くへ 見えるゴールへ 目指して 手は離さないで 手は…
TR-5 One time Baby let me talk to you one time Baby let…
Trash One at a time please ladies. don't take the huff…
V.A. It's a struggle everyday Just to face yourself and to break…
Vaibhav Bundhoo Eventually all of the pieces of the puzzle Start to fall…
WWW.UNITED-FORUMS.CO.UK/Jordin Sparks Hurry up and wait So close, but so far away Everything that…
포제이(For-Jay) If you havin' girl problems I feel bad for you…
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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