The Rolling Stones are surprising fans with their latest release, “Zydeco Sont Pas Sales,” a Creole French track inspired by zydeco music. This song is set to appear on A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, a compilation album honoring zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier on the 100th anniversary of his birth, due out on June 27.
The Stones’ collaboration with Grammy-nominated Louisiana accordion player Steve Riley highlights their deep connection to Chenier’s legacy. Other artists featured on the album include Steve Earle, Jimmie Vaughan, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, and Taj Mahal.
Clifton Chenier has had a profound impact on the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger recently reflected on Chenier’s impact in an interview with Songlines. “Clifton was a great influence on me,” Jagger shared. “We first listened to him around 1965 when we went to the States and picked up his records on the Arhoolie label… We first met up with the band in Los Angeles, I think, and I love the way he just grabs a blues number and adapts it to his style.”
The bond between the Stones and Chenier goes back decades, with a memorable meeting arranged by Lafayette saxophonist Dickie Landry. In 1970, after a performance by Chenier in South Central LA, Landry introduced Mick Jagger to the zydeco legend. However, there was a humorous moment of confusion when Chenier thought Jagger was part of a magazine team, not realizing he was meeting the frontman of the Rolling Stones.
“That magazine – they did a good article on me,” Chenier said, before heading back on stage. According to Landry, when a group of fans rushed forward for autographs, they bypassed Jagger and went straight to Clifton, much to Mick’s amusement.
Rolling Stones’ Ongoing Connection to Louisiana Roots
The Rolling Stones’ connection to Louisiana music has been long and storied. Legends Like Dr. John, Aaron Neville, and Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural have all collaborated with the band in the studio. Their 2016 album Blue and Lonesome paid tribute to Louisiana native Little Walter with three of his tracks.
The Stones also showed up to support zydeco artists like Boozoo Chavis and Beau Jocque before a 1994 concert at the Louisiana Superdome, even paying the $5 entry fee. Most recently, in 2024, they joined Lafayette accordionist Dwayne Dopsie for a memorable performance of “Let It Bleed” at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
“Zydeco Sont Pas Sales” marks the Rolling Stones’ first new music since their 2023 international Top 5 hit, Hackney Diamonds. Before that, they released the stand-alone single “Living in a Ghost Town” in 2020. Proceeds from A Tribute to the King of Zydeco will benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
