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.
Road Runner
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Road Runner' by these artists:
Aerosmith Ladies and gentlemen Step right up Let's all go see the elep…
Albert Lee Money, who needs it Let me live my life free and…
All Stars/Junior Walker Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
BEDROOM - Fleetwood Mac Money, who needs it? Let me live my life free and…
Blues.The-Butcher-590213 You had a clean fresh magic and a walk to…
Bo Diddley I'm a road runner honey Beep-beep Ah, beep-beep I'm a road r…
Chris Spedding Well, I'm a roadrunner, honey Beep beep Beep beep Beep be…
Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley I'm a road runner honey Beep-beep Ah, beep-beep I'm a road r…
Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley I'm a road runner honey beep beep! I'm a road runner…
Dianna Lopez She's a road runner her in the clouds And she won't…
Dig Lazarus Wait inside or read the signs You're not welcome, rain or…
Fleetwood Mac Money, who needs it? Let me live my life free and…
Frank Reynolds Don't take your time world And I won't take mine Oh there's…
Humble Pie I'm a road runner, baby, can't stay in one place…
Ink "I know kids that are 15, 16 years old They can…
J & M Brothers I push pedal and hit the road nigga the only…
j.r.walker Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Jerry Garcia Band Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
JME I am the roadrunner Me me! And I run the roads like Me…
Johnny and The G-Men Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Johnny Winter Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Jonathan Richman Roadrunner, roadrunner Going faster miles an hour Gonna driv…
JR Walker (I'm a) road runner Jr walker and the all-stars Money who …
Jr Walker & The All Stars Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Jr Walker & The Allstars Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Jr Walker and The All Stars Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Junior Walker / The All-Stars Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
KXIBA I been on chasing the money like road runners I been…
L.A. Session Singers Like do you got time today No, I got no time…
Lainey Wilson My white Tacoma and right Tecovas a match and kerosene I…
Luke Nobody How long, how long? I've been waiting for my time to…
malerose (**) สุดฝันนั้นมีปลายทาง ขวากหนามเท่าไหร่ ไม่สำคัญ เท่าใจ แค…
Mark & The Escorts Said Negus I need old money, money Gun in the door money,…
mTwenty Marijuana Got me feeling way number Big stunna I been lit si…
OFFICE - Fleetwood Mac Money, who needs it? Let me live my life free and…
OG Maco feat. OG Junior Damn man, Bro you been getting money bruh? Lemme get…
Peter Frampton Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Pusha Featuring Troy Ave Prod By Harry Fraud (Intro: Troy Ave) Ay…
Pusha T [Intro: Troy Ave] Ay yo, they said it’s 10 points higher…
Pusha T Feat. Troy Ave Ay yo They said it's 10 points higher up there We got…
Ron Wood & Bo Diddley I'm a road runner honey Beep-beep Ah, beep-beep I'm a road r…
Rosy Roxy Roller 夜が騒ぎだしたら ホラ クラクション ハデにならして スキなんでしょ? このメタリック・ボディ 楽しませるワ 気絶しない…
Samantha Fish He left me waiting by a red light I think about…
September Sunrise/Thomas Denver Jonsson Do you know how the story goes Guess you know it…
Sex Pistols Duh ug duh duh duh duh mah eyah I donno the…
Spedding Chris Yeah, baby, come one baby, Oh, oh... I'm a roadrunner baby,…
Steppenwolf Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
The Denim Daddies I'm a red-eyed road runner riding on a velvet throne Chasing…
The Gants (Beep beep schrooooam! ) I'm a road runner, baby, can't cat…
The Modern Lovers One-two-three-four-five-six! Roadrunner, roadrunner Going …
The Music Explosion I'm a road runner honey 'Cause the road runner honey Bab…
The Pretty Things I'm a road runner, honey Well I'm a road runner, honey I…
The Roaring Cadillacs Well, I'm a road runner honey, And you can't keep up…
The Rolling Stones Well I'm a roadrunner, honey Well I'm a roadrunner, honey I…
The Royal Guardsmen I'm a roadrunner, honey! I'm a road runner baby, can't st…
The Who Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
The Zombies I'm a road runner honey 'Cause the road runner honey Baby t…
TheZombies I'm a road runner honey 'Cause the road runner honey Bab…
Thomas Denver Jonsson Do you know how the story goes Guess you know it…
Various Artists If you're on the highway and Road Runner goes beep,…
Vincent Neil Emerson I plucked a feather from my tail Write you a letter…
Walker Junior & His All-Stars Money, who needs it Let me live a life free and…
Zombies I'm a road runner honey 'Cause the road runner honey Baby t…
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…
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Laurent Gilbert
A superb (and largely unknown) piece of Blues!
Thanks to Mr Paul Gaston for sharing.
Best regards.
Paul L Gaston
Laurent Gilbert thank you, Laurent. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. I had the pleasure of seeing him play at Antone's Blues Club several times and I got to meet him before his death. When he died in 1987, he was only 62 years old. A huge loss to the music world. I have two heroes: Jerry Lee Lewis and Clifton Chenier.....
Laurent Gilbert
+Paul Gaston Hello Mister Paul Gaston and thank you for your reply.
I have not had the chance to personally know (unfortunately) Mr. Clifton Chenier, but thanks to you (and other admirers) and YouTube, we can immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Bayou and Blues Cajun.
I will share "Louisiana Blues" (lyric version), another great song to pay tribute to Mr. Clifton Chenier.
Wish you all the best Mr. Paul Gaston and thank you again for all your shares! Best Regards.
(I hope my English is understandable and, in advance, please let me apologize for these mistakes).
Zlata Vachová
Love song thank you Paul 💫❤️
lendl kaiser
I saw on tv a documentary on Clifton Chenier '' Red Hot'' and have been unable to find it since! An excellent lil history! Got me interested!
Paul L Gaston
lendl kaiser look at Amazon and Ebay for "Hot Pepper" it is a film by Les Blank and that's the one you saw. It is from 1973. I love Clifton Chenier's music and I saw him live in Austin, Texas where he played at Antones Blues Club about twice a year. He did in 1987 at the young age of 62 years old from complications 9f diabetes. Thank you for listening!
lendl kaiser
Thanks Paul Gaston,he was a one and only! I have to hear him as much as I can!
Steve Boyle
Is Clifton playing harp as well as accordion on this number ?
Paul L Gaston
Yes, he did. Thanks for listening!❤️
Steve Boyle
@Paul L Gaston Superb throughout - his best blues number, for me. What a talent to lose too early.