It’s time for the annual celebration of the King of Zydeco

In September 1987, a weary King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, was holding court before thousands gathered at a St. Landry Parish festival celebrating the homegrown accordion music he spread from Carnegie Hall to the Eiffel Tower. The ravages of diabetes were just three months from putting Chenier in his final resting place.

Tears streamed down his face as he sang, “I’m Coming Home,” with the lyrics, “… to meet my dear old mother. That’s one woman, I know she loves me…”

But the tired king perked up with a message for the home crowd.

“They had a rumor around here, Clifton Chenier done died,” said Chenier. “Now, you can see if I’m dead, right?

“I’m in the ‘B’ class. I’m a be here.”

The crowd and members of Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band cheered with delight. Trumpet player Warren Caesar screamed on the mic, “Yeah! One time for the King!”

Chenier’s words proved prophetic. Honors and recognition continue to pour in for the zydeco king, more than 35 years after his passing on Dec. 12, 1987.

In 2011, Chenier’s “Bogalusa Boogie” album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Five years later, the album became part of the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.

Chenier received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in a 2014 class that included The Beatles, The Isley Brothers and Kris Kristofferson.

In the past five years, attention turned toward Chenier’s birth date in Opelousas — June 25, 1925. The state legislature declared June 25 as Clifton Chenier Day, starting in 2021 and lasting until the centennial year, 2025.

That year will culminate with at least two tribute albums and numerous live musical salutes, two of which have already been held at Festivals Acadiens et Creoles in Lafayette and Gator by the Bay in San Diego.

Chenier’s hometown joins the royal parade with a tribute jam and portrait unveiling from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N. Main St. Local artist Theon Guillory designed the larger-than-life cutout image.

Chenier’s son, C. J. Chenier, will play and talk about his father’s legacy. C. J. joined his father’s band as a horn player on his 21st birthday. C. J. took over on accordion and continued the Red Hot La. Band after his father’s death.

So on Tuesday, tell someone “Happy Clifton Chenier Day.” It’s a celebration of one of the most decorated musicians to come out of a state that continues to produce music, cuisine, language, heritage and culture like no other on the planet.

Herman Fuselier is executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. A longtime journalist covering Louisiana music and culture, he lives in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp” show airs at noon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7 FM.