The Rolling Stones and Lucinda Williams are among the many stars who’ve contributed to a tribute album saluting Clifton Chenier in celebration of the late zydeco legend’s 100th birthday this year. Titled A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, the 14-track collection will be released on June 27.
The Louisiana-born Chenier was a singer and accordion player who pioneered the zydeco genre, which brought together the influences of Creole music, Cajun music, R&B, and the blues. The Grammy-winning musician died in 1987 at the age of 62.
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The album features new versions of a selection of tunes Chenier recorded during his career. Other well-known musicians who appear on the record include Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo, John Hiatt, Marcia Ball, Molly Tuttle, and Chenier’s son C.J.
A variety of respected Louisiana session musicians also played on the album. Most of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco’s tracks were co-produced by longtime Los Lobos member Steve Berlin.
You can pre-order A Tribute to the King of Zydeco now.
The album kicks off with The Rolling Stones’ cover of “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” a traditional song that Chenier adapted, and that gave the zydeco genre its name. Frontman Mick Jagger sings the song in French Creole, and plays harmonica on the track. Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, meanwhile, both contributed guitar.
The new version of “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” also features acclaimed Cajun accordion player Steve Riley, and backing vocals from Ivan Neville, Zachary Richard, and others.
About the Tribute Album’s Lead Single
The first advance track to be released from the tribute album is a duet version of the classic ballad “Release Me,” featuring vocals by Lucinda Williams and veteran Louisiana swamp-pop singer/musician Tommy McLain. Chenier released his rendition of the famous tune in 1969.
The track also features Berlin on saxophone, Florence and the Machine member Tom Moth on harmonica, Riley on Fiddle, and “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank on accordion.
The song is available now as a digital download and via streaming services.
Williams said of Chenier in a statement, “When I was living in Houston I spent a lot of my time in this dance hall listening to Clifton Chenier play for hours. From those impressionable times I still feel a deep connection to his music. Clifton Chenier is the king of zydeco and that’s the god’s honest truth. No one else comes close!”
About the Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Chenier family recently teamed up with the Louisiana-based Valcour Records label and the University of Louisiana Lafayette to launch the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship. To mark Chenier’s 100th birthday, the scholarship will honor the late musician’s legacy at the school’s College of the Arts by offering annual financial assistance to students studying zydeco accordion at the university.
All proceeds from the tribute album will go toward funding the new scholarship. Visit GiveCampus.com to find out more about the scholarship or donate money to the fund.
Chenier Tribute Performance at 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest
A special performance commemorating Chenier’s centennial birthday will be held May 2 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The show will take place at the Fais Do-Do stage and will feature the “Dockside Allstars,” a group made up of musicians who played on the tribute album. The concert also will feature performances by C.J. Chenier, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball, Curley Taylor, and some surprise guests.
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco Track List:
- “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