Professor Longhair

byname of Henry Roeland (Roy) Byrd

(born Dec. 19, 1918, Bogalusa, La., U.S.—died Jan. 30, 1980, New Orleans, La.) American singer and pianist who helped shape the sound of New Orleans rhythm and blues from the mid-1940s.

His first and only hit song was “Bald Head,” recorded in 1950, but his compositions “Tipitina” and “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” have become anthems on the Mississippi River delta during carnival season. While he enjoyed only limited popularity in his career, his signature piano style, characterized by a rollicking boogie-woogie bass and engaging syncopation, can be heard in the music of such influential figures as Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint—who called Professor Longhair the “Bach of Rock and Roll”—and Dr. John (Mac Rebennack).