Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
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
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- pianist / street artist / musician / singer / blues musician
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1992 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Professor Longhair born?
December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980.
Where is Professor Longhair from?
Professor Longhair is from Bogalusa, Louisiana, United States.
What does Professor Longhair do?
Professor Longhair works as pianist, street artist, musician, singer, blues musician.
Pianist — see all → · Street artist — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.