John Delafose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Delafose
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Delafose playing the accordion, circa the 1980s
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Irvin Delafose |
| Born | April 16, 1939 Duralde, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | September 18, 1994 (aged 55) Opelousas, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Zydeco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Accordion, vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–1994 |
| Labels | Arhoolie, Rounder, Maison de Soul |
John Irvin Delafose (born April 16, 1939 – died September 18, 1994) was a talented American musician from Louisiana. He was known for playing the accordion and singing in the unique Zydeco music style. Zydeco music is a lively type of folk music that comes from the Creole people of Louisiana.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
John Delafose grew up in a small village called Duralde, Louisiana. His parents were sharecroppers, meaning they farmed land owned by someone else and shared the crops they grew. As a child, John loved music. He even made his own instruments, like fiddles and guitars, from old boards and cigar boxes! His first instrument was the fiddle. Later, he learned to play the harmonica and, at age 18, the button accordion. However, he worked as a farmer for many years and did not start his music career until the early 1970s.
Building a Music Career
John Delafose started his music journey playing the accordion and harmonica with different local Zydeco bands. In the mid-1970s, he formed his own band called The Eunice Playboys. He played with this band until he passed away. Over the years, three of his sons, along with nephews and grandsons, were part of the band. After John's death, his son Geno Delafose continued to lead The Eunice Playboys.
John Delafose became more widely known with albums like Joe Pete Got Two Women (released in 1990) and Blues Stay Away from Me (released in 1993). His music was also featured in the 1992 film Passion Fish and the 1989 documentary film J'ai été au bal (which means "I Went to the Dance").
Delafose's Unique Zydeco Style
John Delafose had a very energetic and strong musical style. His music was deeply rooted in the rural traditions of Louisiana. He played the accordion with a strong, sharp rhythm called staccato, which means playing notes very short and detached. This style has influenced many Zydeco musicians today.
Unlike some younger musicians of his time, Delafose sang in both English and French. His music included traditional two-steps and waltzes, as well as the lively, drum-heavy rhythms of Zydeco. Sometimes, he would even play the fiddle with his band, which was quite rare in Zydeco music. For over 20 years, he and his band filled dance halls in southwest Louisiana, east Texas, and New Orleans with their exciting performances. His popular version of the song "Joe Pitre a Deux Femmes" helped bring the single-row accordion back into favor among Zydeco musicians.
Later Years and Passing
In 1993, John Delafose had a heart attack while traveling to a music festival. He recovered from it but felt tired more often afterward. John Delafose passed away on September 18, 1994, after a short illness. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Mathilda Catholic Church in Eunice, Louisiana.
Discography
John Delafose released several albums during his career, including:
- Zydeco Man (1981)
- Uncle Bud Zydeco (1983)
- Zydeco Excitement (1985)
- Zydeco Live!: Direct from Richard's Club, Lawtell, Louisiana (1989)
- Heartaches and Hot Steps (1990)
- Joe Pete Got Two Women (1990)
- Père et Garçon Zydeco (1992)
- Blues Stay Away From Me (1993)
He also released many singles and had his songs featured on various compilation albums with other artists.
See also
In Spanish: John Delafose para niños
