The Rolling Stones Go Full Louisiana With Clifton Chenier Cover
Lafayette, Louisiana (KMDL-FM) - Today, June 25, 2025 would have been Clifton Chenier's 100th birthday.
To honor of "The King Of Zydeco", The Rolling Stones along with Steve Riley have released their tribute to Chenier, covering his song "Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" from a forthcoming tribute album "Tribute To The King Of Zydeco".
Why Is Clifton Chenier The King Of Zydeco?
Born June 25, 1925, in Opelousas, Louisiana, Clifton Chenier is credited with popularizing South Louisiana's zydeco music with the world.
He is widely considered to be one of the most influential musicians to ever come out of Louisiana.
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Chenier took the traditional zydeco sound and electrified, it literally, by incorporating electric guitar, drums, and horns.
He modernized zydeco and brought it to national and international audiences, performing at festivals, on television, and in clubs from California to Europe.
Clifton Chenier Tribute Album "A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco"
On Friday, June 27, 2025, a new Clifton Chenier tribute album will be released called "A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco" on Valcour Records.
This album features some pretty heavy hitters of both local and national artists paying homage to "The King Of Zydeco".
READ MORE: From Jazz to Zydeco: The Best Live Music Spots in Louisiana
The album features The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Majal, Steve Earle, Steve Riley, Kieth Frank, Geno Delafose, Sonny Landreth, Roddie Romero, and many more.
The Rolling Stones with Steve Riley have recorded a fantastic version of Chenier's "Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" complete with Mick Jagger singing in Cajun French.
Jagger sounds really good doing it too.
Through the official press release from Valcour Records, The Rolling Stones stated -
The Stones are truly honoured to be on this tribute album amongst a stellar cast of artists and musicians. Clifton Chenier was one of the most influential musicians to come out of Louisiana.
He turned so many people onto the wonderful free spirited dance music of Zydeco, including ourselves back in the day.
Acadiana's own C.C. Adcock produced The Rolling Stones track and says “Both Mick singing in impeccable Creole French and Keith and Ronnie completely carving up the traditional approach with those signature licks and their iconic ‘weaving’ style sounds easy and playful.”
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco Tracklist:
“Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” - The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley
“Easy Easy Baby” - Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.
“Hey ‘Tite Fille” - Taj Mahal and Keith Frank
“Release Me” - Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain, and Keith Frank
“Just Like A Woman” - Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie
“I'm On The Wonder” - Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor
“My Soul” - Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas, and Steve Riley
“Hot Rod” - David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier
“Tout Le Temps En Temps” - Shannon McNally, Keith Frank, and Molly Tuttle
“Ay Ai Ai” - Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers
“I May Be Wrong” - Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose
“I'm Coming Home” - CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth
“You Used To Call Me” - John Hiatt and Roddie Romero
“Why Did You Go Last Night” - Kam Franklin, A. J. Haynes, and Roddie Romero
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Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells
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