(1939-2004)
After many years of failing health, swamp pop singer/songwriter Joe Barry died Tuesday, August 31.

Born Joseph Barrios in Cut Off, Louisiana, Barry was best known for his 1961 Top 40 hit “I’m A Fool To Care,” a song that was sonically a dead ringer for Fats Domino’s very similar anthems. In 1967, Barry ended his musical career, returning to the scene in 1976 with an album of country ballads entitled Joe Barry, produced by Huey P. Meaux.

This was followed in 1980 by Sweet Rose of Sharon, an album of religious songs. In 2003 Night Train Records released Barry’s final effort, Been Down That Muddy Road.

The album was a remarkable, highly lauded work, completed despite Barry’s numerous physical ailments that prevented him from singing for more than 30 seconds at a time.