Coco Robicheaux facts for kids
Coco Robicheaux (born Curtis John Arceneaux) was an American blues musician and artist. He was born on October 25, 1947, and passed away on November 25, 2011. Coco came from Ascension Parish, Louisiana, in the United States.
He was born in Merced, California. His father was from Louisiana and had Acadian (Cajun) roots. His mother had a mix of European and Native American (Mohawk) family history. Coco lived in France for three years as a child. His father was in the United States Air Force and was stationed there.
How Coco Got His Name
Coco Robicheaux chose his stage name from a famous Louisiana story. In this legend, a mischievous child named Coco Robicheaux is taken by a werewolf. This creature is known as a Loup Garou or Rougarou in Louisiana folklore.
The name "Coco Robicheaux" is also heard in a song. It's in "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" by Dr. John. This song is from Dr. John's 1968 album, Gris-Gris. Coco said he often played music with Dr. John in the early 1960s.
Coco Robicheaux on TV
Coco Robicheaux appeared in a TV show called The Big Easy. He played a musician from New Orleans named "Coco." Two of his own songs, "Broken String" and "Spiritland," were also featured in that episode.
He also appeared as himself in the HBO series Treme. He was in three episodes during the first season and one in the second. In 2006, Coco was one of ten musicians in a documentary. It was called Chasing the Groove: A New Orleans Funkumentary.
Remembering Coco Robicheaux
Coco Robicheaux passed away in November 2011. He was 64 years old. He died peacefully in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was at his favorite spot in his favorite bar, the Apple Barrel.
After Coco's death, two second-line parades were held to honor him. Both parades passed by the Apple Barrel bar. Later, more musical tributes took place. These were at the French Quarter Festival in March 2012. There were also tributes at the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo in May 2012. Another was at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May 2013. The official poster for the 2012 French Quarter Festival even featured Coco Robicheaux. He replaced the figure of Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square.
One of his last recordings was for a Danish singer named Naja Rosa. It was for her album The Place I Call Home (2012). His very last recording happened on his 64th birthday. This was one month before he passed away. He recorded with singer Frenchie Moe. Other musicians like Mike Hood and Jimmy Carpenter also played on the song.
Music Albums
- Spiritland (Orleans 1994)
- Louisiana Medicine Man (Orleans 1998)
- Hoodoo Party (Orleans 2000)
- Yeah, U Rite! (Spiritland 2005)
- Like I Said, Yeah, U Rite! (Spiritland 2008)
- Revelator (Spiritland 2010)
