Zydeco Hall of Fame Now An Empty Lot
Arsonist Destroys Historic Zydeco Venue
May 19, 2017
by Herman Fusilier
The Advertiser
Some drivers on Highway 190 look the other way when driving past a certain spot east of Lawtell. Dustin Miller admits he avoids going back as much as possible.
All are mourning the loss of Miller’s business, the Zydeco Hall of Fame, originally known as Richard’s Club. The dancehall, which stood in the same spot since 1947, was hailed around the world as the Grand Ole Opry of Zydeco.
But after devastating fires in late April, the club is now an empty lot.
“I hadn’t been able to stay around there,” said Miller, who’s owned the club since 2012. “Once we realized that it couldn’t be salvaged, I needed it removed right away. I couldn’t take the sight.
“That’s not even worrying about the safety part with someone going in there to look at it, or get something, and get hurt. I’m still just trying to soak it in.
“But thinking about it and looking at old pictures, it’s all gone now.”
The big arrow on a roadside sign, which used to advertise upcoming bands, now points to open field, scraped clean by bulldozers. Charred remains of the wooden dancehall still stood on the morning of April 26, after a fire the previous night heavily damaged the club’s back door and stage area.
But high winds that morning reignited flames that swept through the attic. The new fire ate its way to the front door, causing much of the dancehall’s roof to collapse.
A week later, the Charcoal Lounge, a popular night spot on Academy Street in Opelousas, was consumed by flames. Originally built in 1947 as Mason’s, the club was declared a total loss.
The following week, police arrested William Kevin Rideau, 33, on arson and criminal trespassing charges related to both fires. Rideau owns the Winners Lounge, located a block away from the Charcoal Lounge.
Miller didn’t know the suspect, but recognized him from his arrest photo. He said the arson charges only double the sense of loss.
“He was in the club often,” said Miller. “My biggest question is: Why would you damage, not only my place, but the Charcoal Lounge? Both of the club owners would extend their hands to help anybody that we could.
“I never thought in a million years, if it was him, a competitor, that he would try to take us out in that way. I do believe, to give him respect, until he’s proven guilty, we don’t know if it was him.”
The fire erased a cultural landmark that served as the alpha and omega of zydeco. King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier, a Lifetime Achievement Award winner from the Recording Academy, held some of his first gigs at the club. Future Grammy winners Terrance Simien and Chubby Carrier also cut their musical teeth there.
In the 1980s, Rockin’ Sidney toured the country playing his million seller, “My Toot Toot,” but returned to Richard’s to entertain fans at home. Boozoo Chavis, Keith Frank, Zydeco Force, Beau Jocque and others top zydeco bands were regulars. J. Paul and Lil Nate were popular attractions in recent years.
At least one career ended at Richard’s. In 1994, John Delafose suffered a fatal heart attack as he took a break during a dance.
The late Eddie Richard opened Richard’s July 4, 1947 before passing it on to his now-deceased son Kermon, the club’s longtime manager. Miller and his wife Nichole, both registered nurses, purchased the building in 2012.
Miller is grateful to be part of the tradition, but stands by his decision to not rebuild the club.
But St. Landry Parish, once the home of zydeco’s two oldest dancehalls, no longer has any. Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki in Opelousas, also built in the late 1940s, closed in January 2016.
Miller, who is a state representative from District 40, cites job and family commitments as his main reasons for not rebuilding. But he’s ready to help someone follow in his footsteps.
“We need zydeco in Opelousas. If Opelousas is the home of zydeco, we have to find a way to invest in it to give people more opportunities to hear it here.
“I’m convinced that zydeco is going to find its way. It always has. Anything I can do to keep it going and to help, I definitely will."
Arsonist Destroys Historic Zydeco Venue
May 19, 2017
by Herman Fusilier
The Advertiser
 |
| Miller's Zydeco Hall of Fame in Lawtell, built in 1947 as Richard's Club, is gone, after a devastating fire in April. (Photo: Herman Fuselier) |
Some drivers on Highway 190 look the other way when driving past a certain spot east of Lawtell. Dustin Miller admits he avoids going back as much as possible.
All are mourning the loss of Miller’s business, the Zydeco Hall of Fame, originally known as Richard’s Club. The dancehall, which stood in the same spot since 1947, was hailed around the world as the Grand Ole Opry of Zydeco.
But after devastating fires in late April, the club is now an empty lot.
“I hadn’t been able to stay around there,” said Miller, who’s owned the club since 2012. “Once we realized that it couldn’t be salvaged, I needed it removed right away. I couldn’t take the sight.
“That’s not even worrying about the safety part with someone going in there to look at it, or get something, and get hurt. I’m still just trying to soak it in.
“But thinking about it and looking at old pictures, it’s all gone now.”
The big arrow on a roadside sign, which used to advertise upcoming bands, now points to open field, scraped clean by bulldozers. Charred remains of the wooden dancehall still stood on the morning of April 26, after a fire the previous night heavily damaged the club’s back door and stage area.
But high winds that morning reignited flames that swept through the attic. The new fire ate its way to the front door, causing much of the dancehall’s roof to collapse.
A week later, the Charcoal Lounge, a popular night spot on Academy Street in Opelousas, was consumed by flames. Originally built in 1947 as Mason’s, the club was declared a total loss.
The following week, police arrested William Kevin Rideau, 33, on arson and criminal trespassing charges related to both fires. Rideau owns the Winners Lounge, located a block away from the Charcoal Lounge.
 |
| The late Clifton Chenier, heralded as the King of Zydeco, was a regular performer at Richard's Club in Lawtell. (Photo: Herman Fuselier) |
Miller didn’t know the suspect, but recognized him from his arrest photo. He said the arson charges only double the sense of loss.
“He was in the club often,” said Miller. “My biggest question is: Why would you damage, not only my place, but the Charcoal Lounge? Both of the club owners would extend their hands to help anybody that we could.
“I never thought in a million years, if it was him, a competitor, that he would try to take us out in that way. I do believe, to give him respect, until he’s proven guilty, we don’t know if it was him.”
The fire erased a cultural landmark that served as the alpha and omega of zydeco. King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier, a Lifetime Achievement Award winner from the Recording Academy, held some of his first gigs at the club. Future Grammy winners Terrance Simien and Chubby Carrier also cut their musical teeth there.
 |
| In 1989, Rounder Records of Cambridge,Mass. released two landmark albums, "Zydeco Live!," recorded at Richard's Club in Lawtell. (Photo: Herman Fuselier) |
In the 1980s, Rockin’ Sidney toured the country playing his million seller, “My Toot Toot,” but returned to Richard’s to entertain fans at home. Boozoo Chavis, Keith Frank, Zydeco Force, Beau Jocque and others top zydeco bands were regulars. J. Paul and Lil Nate were popular attractions in recent years.
At least one career ended at Richard’s. In 1994, John Delafose suffered a fatal heart attack as he took a break during a dance.
The late Eddie Richard opened Richard’s July 4, 1947 before passing it on to his now-deceased son Kermon, the club’s longtime manager. Miller and his wife Nichole, both registered nurses, purchased the building in 2012.
Miller is grateful to be part of the tradition, but stands by his decision to not rebuild the club.
But St. Landry Parish, once the home of zydeco’s two oldest dancehalls, no longer has any. Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki in Opelousas, also built in the late 1940s, closed in January 2016.
Miller, who is a state representative from District 40, cites job and family commitments as his main reasons for not rebuilding. But he’s ready to help someone follow in his footsteps.
“We need zydeco in Opelousas. If Opelousas is the home of zydeco, we have to find a way to invest in it to give people more opportunities to hear it here.
“I’m convinced that zydeco is going to find its way. It always has. Anything I can do to keep it going and to help, I definitely will."
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