Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Professor Longhair was credited as a pianist, street artist and singer. Professor Longhair was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, United States on December 19, 1918. Death is recorded on January 30, 1980, at the age of 61. Listed accolades include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1992).
My Take
Trace almost any sound I love out of New Orleans and you eventually arrive at Professor Longhair. Henry Roeland Byrd built the rhythmic, rumba-soaked piano language that the whole city's R&B would stand on, then watched the world nearly forget him before the Jazz and Heritage Festival era brought him roaring back. There's something bittersweet about a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction arriving after his death, but it confirms what real originals always learn the hard way: time vindicates the genuine article. "Fess" earned every bit of that reverence, and he has mine.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Professor Longhair
- Name (Japanese)
- プロフェッサー・ロングヘア
- Reading
- ぷろふぇっさー・ろんぐへあ
- Born
- December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Horse
- Origin
- Bogalusa, Louisiana, United States
- Occupation
- pianist / street artist / musician / singer / blues musician
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1992 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
3. Links
- Official sitehttps://www.professorlonghair.com
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor%20Longhair
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%83%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%83%98%E3%82%A2
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q918447
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Professor Longhair born?
Born December 19, 1918.
When did Professor Longhair die?
Died January 30, 1980, aged 61.
Where was Professor Longhair from?
Professor Longhair was from Bogalusa, Louisiana, United States.
What did Professor Longhair do?
Professor Longhair worked as pianist, street artist, musician, singer, blues musician.
Pianist — see all → · Street artist — see all → · More people from the United States →