December 1987 still brings grief to zydeco musicians and fans. On December 12, Clifton Chenier, the beloved King of Zydeco, died at the age of 62.

Paul “Lil Buck” Sinegal, longtime guitarist in Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band, was playing with Rockin’ Dopsie in Houston. Sinegal told “Kingdom of Zydeco” author Michael Tisseran...