Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd (December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980), better known as Professor Longhair or "Fess" for short, was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist. He was active in two distinct periods, first in the heyday of early rhythm and blues and later in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970.
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His piano style has been described as "instantly recognizable, combining rumba, mambo, and calypso.”
His piano style has been described as "instantly recognizable, combining rumba, mambo, and calypso.”Byrd was born on December 19, 1918, in Bogalusa, Louisiana and lived in New Orleans from the age of two onward. As a child, he learned how to play on an old piano that had been left in an alley. He seriously began to master the instrument while working at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in 1937.
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| Byrd & His Blues Jumpers |
He first recorded in a band called the Shuffling Hungarians in 1949, creating four songs (including the first version of his signature song, "Mardi Gras in New Orleans") for the Star Talent record label. Union problems curtailed their release, but Longhair scored his one and only R&B chart hit in 1950 with “Bald Head,” under the name Roy Byrd and His Blues Jumpers released on Mercury Records.
As a vocalist, Professor Longhair was a classic blues shouter. As a pianist, he was a unique force of nature—or, more accurately, of New Orleans. It was a city whose sense of festivity he celebrated with such anthems as “Tipitina”, “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and “Big Chief.” Longhair remained locally popular as a working
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musician from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, rarely venturing off his home turf. He lacked crossover appeal among white and wide audiences. Yet, he is regarded (and was acknowledged) as being a musician who was highly influential for other prominent musicians, such as Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John.
musician from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, rarely venturing off his home turf. He lacked crossover appeal among white and wide audiences. Yet, he is regarded (and was acknowledged) as being a musician who was highly influential for other prominent musicians, such as Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John.After suffering a stroke, Professor Longhair recorded "No Buts – No Maybes" in 1957. He re-recorded "Go to the Mardi Gras" in 1959. He first recorded "Big Chief" with its composer, Earl King, in 1964 after which he abandoned the music business to work odd jobs and deal cards for a living, but fell into a gambling habit.
Along with a group of fans and promoters in New Orleans, in 1977 he purchased a warehouse and converted it into a nightclub called Tipitina's, named after one of his songs. It was conveniently located close to his home. Tipitina's still operates as a jazz club today and houses a collection of Professor Longhair memorabilia.By the 1980s his albums, such as Crawfish Fiesta on Alligator Records and New Orleans Piano on Atlantic Records, had become readily available across America. In 1974 he appeared on the PBS series Soundstage (with Dr. John, Earl King, and The Meters).
Professor Longhair died in his sleep of a heart attack while the filming of the documentary was under way (and before the live concert, which was planned to be its climax). Footage from his funeral was included in the documentary.Professor Longhair was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981. In 1987 Professor Longhair was awarded a posthumous Grammy Award for his early recordings released as House Party New Orleans Style. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. (Edited mainly from Wikipedia & Rockhall)