Allen Toussaint Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the United States Army during the early 1960s
• Was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998
• Was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to an American musician, in 2013
• After teaching himself how to play guitar and beginning his career as a teenager, he released his debut album in 1958 under the name Tousan
• Worked for the Minit record label during the 1960s, working on songs like Ernie K-Doe's "Mother in Law" and Lee Dorsey's "Ya Ya․"
• Quote: "I'm not accustomed to talking about myself․ I talk in the studio with musicians․ Or through my songs․"
• Co-founded the record label Sea-Saint Studios in 1972 and worked with the likes of Paul Simon and Paul McCartney
• Legendary R&B and soul musician and composer from New Orleans whose original songs included "Working in the Coal Mine," "Fortune Teller" and "Southern Nights․"