Professor Longhair

New Orleans Blues singer Henry Roeland “Roy” Byrd, known as Professor Longhair, or “Fess”, was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana on December 19, 1918. Regarded as a major influence on Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Malcolm John Rebennack Jr (Dr John). He began his career in 1948. The first version of his signagture song, “Mardi Gras In New Orleans”, was recorded in 1949. In 1957 he suffered a stroke. In 1964 he was working as a janitor to make a living. His career regained momentum in the 1970s and appeared at a number of jazz and blues festivals. “Baby let me hold your hand” is a re-working of a traditional song; it has also been re-worked by Bob Dylan and The Animals.

Professor Longhair died in New Orleans on January 30, 1980.

Image: 42 Parishes - Historic New Orleans Collection

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Owen Gray

Owen Grey | Copyright Control | 25006 Singer and song writer and musician Owen Gray was born in Kingston, Jamaica on 5 July 1939 and is regarded as a pioneer of Jamaican popular music. He won his first talent contest aged nine. By twelve he had joined a band, playing drums, guitar and keyboards. He became associated with Chris Blackwell in 1960, and was one of the first artistes to be produced by Blackwell. In 1962 he emigrated to the United Kingdom, toured Europe in 1964, and since 1966 became recognised as a soul as well as reggae singer. In the 1970s he relocated to New Orleans and then back to Jamaica. Since the 1980s he lived in Miami, Florida. Owen Grey died in London, UK, on 20 July, 2025.

June Bateman

June Bateman-Watts was born Marian June Batemon on November 17, 1939. The recording “Believe me darling” by June Bateman appears on ILP 920, “50 Minutes 24 Seconds of Recorded Dynamite” as well as single WI 347. A single, "I don't wanna"/"Nobles Theme" was issued on Sue WI 347 in July 1965. June was understood to have retired to DeLand, Florida in 1984 and for some years played an active role in the annual Noble “Thin Man” Watts festival . "Rate Your Music" note that June Bateman died on 13 February 2016. Can anyone confirm, please. Chart position data not available. June Bateman | Undated | Jungle Hop | 14659 103 | 11 June 2025 | Updated

Anita Wood

Anita Wood | Copyright Control | 25007 Anita Marie Wood Brewer was born in 1937 and was a girl friend for a time to Elvis Presley. Her recording of "Dream Baby"/ “This has happened before” (US Santo 9054, 1964) was issued on Sue WI 328. She sang with Andy Williams, uncredited, on his 1959 hit of “The Hawaiian Wedding Song” and appeared regularly in his television series. Anita Wood died of pneumonia at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, on 29 June 2023, age 85.

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