Henry Roeland Byrd, known to the world, as Professor Longhair, one of New Orleans’ greatest pianist, was born December 19, 1918 in the small rural town of Bogalusa, Louisiana, the only son of Ella Mae...
Professor Longhair Born
Open the memory→Collected · Legacy On This Day archive
Did you know?
Creole trail rides — long rides on horseback ending in a dance — remain a living tradition across Southwest Louisiana and Texas, with zydeco bands playing late into the night.
Culture note · Creole Memories
Story Map · This Day
December 19, on the map
1 stop
Tip: use + / − or Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) + scroll to zoom the map.
Listen · Weekly podcast
Zydeco Workout featuring Lola Love
Red hot zydeco, Southern soul & blues — weekly episodes from the Zydeco Capital of the World.
Hosted by Lola Love, the Zydeco Lady
All episodes on CastboxShare a memory
Add your piece of Zydeco history.
Help document and preserve Zydeco music and Creole heritage of Southwest Louisiana and Texas — photos, dance flyers, recordings, oral histories and family stories.