The first thing I did was email friends who would be just as disturbed as me. Reese Fuller of The Times in Lafayette thought it was a hoax.
Michael Tisserand, author of the book The Kingdom of Zydeco, started notifying influential people who could divert a disaster. Freelance writer Todd Mouton is still trying to pick his jaw off the floor.
We were all in shock after I discovered Clifton Chenier’s accordion for sale on eBay, the largest auction site on the Internet. Yes, that’s the same Opelousas native and Grammy-winning Clifton Chenier known around the world as the undisputed King of Zydeco.
It’s the same Clifton Chenier who Lafayette’s Festival International honored with the fantastic “All The King’s Men” reunion last spring. It’s the same Clifton Chenier who has a beautiful civic complex in north Lafayette named after him.
I discovered the King’s squeezebox for sale October 19. I’ve been an eBay addict since last spring while selling some old jazz records for my mom.
Since then, I’ve bought a few cheap items, like a second-hand stereo receiver and printer ink cartridges. But there have been some real gems like Chenier’s rare Crazy Cajun album with Big Mama Thornton, the original singer of “Hound Dog.”
But never did I think I’d see Chenier’s last accordion for sale in the same place that offers Ginsu knives for 99 cents and “Lose 95 lbs” diet pills for $9.95. It’s like finding “Lucille,” B.B. King’s guitar, in a pawn shop or Louis Armstrong’s trumpet with the lawn tools at a garage sale.
Sure, people have the right to do whatever they wish with private property. But some historical items are so significant, they should never be sold.
Clifton Chenier’s accordion, along with his Grammy, crown, van and trailer, should be in a museum, preserved for generations to enjoy and admire.
The minimum bid on Chenier’s accordion, eBay item # 147543437, was $10,000. A picture that accompanied the auction showed Chenier’s accordion propped on a stool against a blue backdrop. A picture of Chenier holding his Grammy rests on top of the accordion.
The item’s description was listed as follows: “The undisputed “KING OF ZYDECO” CLIFTON CHENIER last used this beautiful PETOSA accordion. Although he performed with many during his career, this was his last and most precious. Personally designed by the “King of Zydeco” himself, this well kept accordion is Black/Silver with ivory keyboard settings.”
eBay allows buyers and sellers to use code names to protect their privacy. This seller is “kingzyedco” (zydeco misspelled) and lists Houston, Texas as its location.
Each buyer and seller also has a rating and feedback profile, a snap shot of the trader’s track record. This seller’s rating of “0” suggests this was a first-time trader, who experienced eBayers generally avoid, especially ones selling very expensive items.
eBay forwards any questions to the seller by email. But all of my emails to “kingzyedco” requesting more information went unanswered.
This auction began October 15 and ended at 8:54 p.m. Central time October 22. The accordion received no bids, although a counter on the page showed it was viewed more than 800 times.
Although my emails went unanswered, a couple of my Internet friends in a Cajun/zydeco dance discussion group on Yahoo! got through to the seller, a female. She described herself as “closely related” to Margaret Chenier.
What was really troubling is the seller said if people were shocked by the accordion, the next thing they sell will be even more surprising.
What will that be? His crown? His Grammy?
So far, no more of Clifton Chenier’s personal items have been spotted on eBay. My fear is these treasures of Creole culture will fall into unappreciative hands.
There were no bids on his accordion this time. But what happens the next time this nugget of Louisiana history has a potential buyer?
Will the new owner know that a sick and weak Clifton, sensing the end was near, cried over that accordion the last time he played at home? Or will it be just another toy to spill beer and cigarette ashes on while the kids press all the pretty buttons?
Besides his fame and achievements, Clifton Chenier taught people back home that you don’t have to act like you’re from the Midwest just to fit in. Speak French, play the accordion and eat your gumbo.
Represent your culture well and the world will beat a path to your door.
I’m reminded of a local columnist who took Martin Luther King’s family to task for allowing his words and image to be used in a TV ad. The columnist’s child came to know Dr. King not as the Nobel Peace Prize winner who made America live up to its ideals. Instead, he was that guy in the car commercial.
Aren’t some things still sacred? Or can even the untouchables of history be hawked to the highest bidder?
MONA-robics
In other news, the videotape “ZYDECO-robics MONA-robics Style” featuring Mona “Zydeco Queen” Wilson is now on sale. In this video, there are no male hardbodies or sexy supermodels with pouty lips and legs that stretch from here to Ville Platte.
In fact, there’s too much glare from the windows and floor of the hall where the tape was filmed. Someone even walks in the front door during taping.
The music, which was not dubbed directly to the tape, can be hard to hear at times. The occasionally-shaky camera holds the same wide shot longer than Mariah Carey hangs on to a high note.
But after less than ten minutes with this tape, you will be zydeco dancing. Plus, you’ll see everyday people of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors getting their zydeco groove on, too.
You won’t be learning Creole culture from insurance salesman in Vermont or investment banker from Idaho. Wilson is one of the few southwest Louisiana Creoles on the national scene teaching authentic zydeco dancing. She didn’t learn from a book, but by dancing on top of her father’s feet. Her parents own and operate Wilson’s Super Pecan Grove in Cade, a prime zydeco and R&B night spot for decades.
This presentation has worked for Wilson during her workshops at festivals, college campuses, even on the high seas of the annual Zydeco Cruise. Her patented, “no counting” presentations are simply the real thing.
The tape’s first ten minutes are the key. The simple steps and beat learned in the opening minutes are the foundation of zydeco dancing. All other moves flow out of those steps.
After Wilson and crew drill you in the basics steps, the tape slowly progresses to turns, partnering, crossovers, rock and dip, slides, back step and rolls, shuffles and the traditional waltz. To order the tape, contact Mona Wilson at (281) 862-2643 or email [email protected]. On the web, visit www.zydecoqueen.crazygator.com.
Contact Herman Fuselier by email at [email protected].