AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Rockin' Sidney

Artist:Rockin' Sidney

Song:Jalapeno Lena

Album:My Toot Toot

Zydeco musician Sidney "Rockin' Sidney" Simien made history when in 1985 he became the first zydeco musician to score a hit single with My Toot Toot. Jalapeno Lena was on the B side. He rode that success train until his 1998 death. He was born Apr. 9, 1938 in Lebeau, LA. As a teen he played in his uncle's band. Then he started Sidney Simien and His All Stars. He released a few singles on small labels in the 60s. These were all R&B. When zydeco made a big comeback in the late 70s, it was suggested to Simien that he should pick up the accordion and try zydeco. The big zydeco acts at the time were Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco. Simien's act was to parody Chenier complete with crown, cape and gold tooth. Simien started writing his own songs and he released a couple of albums on Floyd Soileau's Maison de Soul label. It was Soileau who suggested Simien try zydeco in the first place. My Toot Toot first appeared on Simien's 1983 album My Zydeco Shoes Got the Zydeco Blues. Simien recorded the album at his home studio in Lake Charles and he played all the instruments. My Toot Toot became a regional hit early in 1985. Legendary producer Huey P. Meaux licensed it to Epic Records and the single reached #19 on the Country Singles chart. Jalapeno Lena was the B side. Epic never released a Rockin' Sidney album. They released an EP. Afterwards, Simien returned to Maison de Soul and this album was released in 1987. It's available as a budget CD. The success of My Toot Toot allowed Simien to tour the world, start his own record label and buy a radio station. Simien died of throat cancer on Feb. 5, 1998 at age 59. Here's Rockin' Sidney performing Jalapeno Lena and My Toot Toot on the 80s TV show Church Street Station.