Chris Kenner › Similar Artists

Barbara George - 100% match to Chris Kenner

16 August 1942, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 10 Auigust 2006. Barbara George is best remembered for her 1961 R&B number 1 hit ‘I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More)’, released on the small AFO (All For One) label. George was discovered by Jessie Hill, another New Orleans R&B artist, himself known for the hit ‘Ooh Poo Pah Doo’. Hill brought Ge Read more

Earl King - 85% match to Chris Kenner

Earl Silas Johnson IV, 7 February 1934, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 17 April 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The son of a blues pianist, King became an accomplished guitarist and singer with local bands before making his first recordings in 1953 for Savoy Records (‘Have You Gone Crazy’, credited to Earl Johnson) and Specialty Records (‘A Mother’s L Read more

Benny Spellman - 82% match to Chris Kenner

11 December 1931, Pensacola, Florida, USA. Although a minor hit by chart standards, Benny Spellman’s ‘Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)’ is one of the most fondly recalled New Orleans R&B hits of the early 60s and was subsequently revived by the O’Jays. Its b-side, ‘Fortune Teller’, impressed the young Rolling Stones enough for them to cover Read more

Smiley Lewis - 68% match to Chris Kenner

Overton Amos Lemons, 5 July 1913, DeQuincy, Louisiana, USA, d. 7 October 1966, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. While failing to gain the commercial plaudits his work deserved, this New Orleans-based artist was responsible for some of that city’s finest music. He made his recording debut, as Smiling Lewis, in 1947, but his strongest work appeared during the 50s. ‘The B Read more

Dave Bartholomew - 47% match to Chris Kenner

24 December 1920, Edgard, Louisiana, USA. Dave Bartholomew was one of the most important shapers of New Orleans R&B and rock ‘n’ roll during the 50s. A producer, arranger, songwriter, band leader and artist, Bartholomew produced and co-wrote most of Fats Domino’s major hits for Imperial Records. Bartholomew started playing the trumpet as a child, encourage Read more

Lee Dorsey - 43% match to Chris Kenner

Irving Lee Dorsey, 24 December 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 1 December 1986, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. An ex-boxer (nicknamed ‘Kid Chocolate’) turned singer, Dorsey first recorded for Joe Banashak’s Instant label. One song, ‘Lottie Mo’, became a regional hit and led to a contract with Fury. The infectious ‘Ya Ya’ (1961) was a nu Read more

The Wild Magnolias - 42% match to Chris Kenner

Robert Parker - 40% match to Chris Kenner

14 October 1930, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. An accomplished saxophonist, this versatile musician was first heard on numerous recordings by pianist Professor Longhair. Parker also appeared on sessions for Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe and Joe Tex while at the same time embarking on a singing career. His early releases were largely unsuccessful until ‘Barefootin’’, Read more

Professor Longhair - 38% match to Chris Kenner

Henry Roeland Byrd, 19 December 1918, Bogalusa, Louisiana, USA, d. 30 January 1980, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Byrd grew up in New Orleans where he was part of a novelty dance team in the 30s. He also played piano, accompanying John Lee ‘Sonny Boy’ Williamson. After wartime service, Byrd gained a residency at the Caldonia club, whose owner christened him Professo Read more

Kermit Ruffins - 37% match to Chris Kenner

Chuck Willis - 36% match to Chris Kenner

Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - 36% match to Chris Kenner

John Kendricks, 18 November 1936, Detroit, Michigan, USA, d. 2 March 2003, Los Angeles, California, USA. His date of birth is disputed, and varies between 1927 and 1936. Ballard’s truck-driving father died when he was seven years old and he was sent to Bessemer, Alabama, to live with relations. The strict religious and gospel upbringing caused him to run away, and by th Read more

Betty Harris - 35% match to Chris Kenner

1943, Orlando, Florida, USA. A former maid to Big Maybelle, with whom she would duet onstage, Harris was subsequently signed to Jubilee Records where her version of Solomon Burke’s hit, ‘Cry To Me’, reached the US R&B Top 10 and national Top 30 in 1963. A follow-up, ‘His Kiss’, was a minor success, but this expressive singer matured upon signing Read more

Clyde McPhatter - 35% match to Chris Kenner

Clyde Lensley McPhatter, 15 November 1932, Durham, North Carolina, USA, d. 13 June 1972, New York City, New York, USA. For three years, McPhatter was the lead singer in the seminal R&B vocal group Billy Ward And His Dominoes. He left in 1953 to form the Drifters, whose early releases were enhanced by the singer’s emotional, gospel-drenched delivery. In 1954 McPhatte Read more

Tommy Ridgley - 33% match to Chris Kenner

30 October 1925, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 11 August 1999. Originally a pianist, Ridgley played with a dixieland group and Earl Anderson’s band in 1949 before his powerful R&B voice made him one of New Orleans’ most respected singers for nearly three decades. His first record was ‘Shrewsbury Blues’, named after a district of the city and produce Read more