Fernest Arceneaux

Q: When did Fernest Arceneaux die?

Fernest Arceneaux died on September 4, 2008.

Q: How old was Fernest Arceneaux when they died?

Fernest Arceneaux was 68 years old at the time of death.

Q: When was Fernest Arceneaux born?

Fernest Arceneaux was born on August 27, 1940.

Q: What was Fernest Arceneaux's occupation?

Fernest Arceneaux was a musician.

Fernest Arceneaux (August 27, 1940 – September 4, 2008) was a French-speaking Creole Zydeco accordionist and singer from Louisiana. He was known as "The New Prince of Accordion" for his virtuosity.

Biography

Arceneaux was born to a large Creole family based in Carencro, Louisiana. Arceneaux first picked up his brother-in-law's accordion as a child and learned to play by copying his father, Ferdinand Arceneaux, a Creole accordionist whom he backed at local house parties.

By the 1960s, Arceneaux had switched to guitar in his rock and roll group Fernest and the Thunders. Not until 1978, at the behest of his hero Clifton Chenier, did Arceneaux return to the accordion.

Also in 1978, Arceneaux and his band were discovered by Belgian blues enthusiast Robert Sacre. They recorded their first album, and began touring extensively, particularly in Europe. Arceneaux later earned the title "The New Prince of Accordion" for his virtuosic playing.

Fernest and the Thunders were a groundbreaking early zydeco band that mixed blues and early R&B with Creole accordion. Arceneaux gained fame for recording "Zydeco Boogaloo" for the first time, a track that still stands as a timeless zydeco standard.

In addition to his band Fernest and The Thunders, Arceneaux's discography includes recordings under band names Fernest Arceneaux and the Zydeco All Stars, and Fernest Arceneaux & His Louisiana French Band.

In 1991, Fernest's great-nephew Corey Arceneaux toured with him for a year before forming his own band, Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers. Fernest was Corey's initial inspiration for playing the accordion.