Legendary music producer Huey P. Meaux, “The Crazy Cajun”, died at his home in Winnie, Texas Saturday after several months of poor health. He was 82.
Meaux’s first big breakthrough was discovering Barbara Lynn and her song “You’ll Lose A Good Thing”. It is said that his first royalty check, $48,000, drew the attention of law enforcement who thought he was doing something illegal.
When the Beatle’s touched off the British invasion, Meaux was convinced he could find a group from Texas to cash in on the sound. The result was Doug Sahm and the Sir Douglas Quintet who had a top 10 hit with “She’s About A Mover” in 1965.
Meaux later helped resurrect Freddy Fender’s career when he brought him into his Sugar Hill Studios in Houston to record “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” which was a No. 1 pop single in 1975.
In spite of his personal failings, his mark on the Texas and Houston music scenes will not be forgotten.
Thanks to Andrew Dansby of the Houston Chronicle and Chris Gray of the Houston Press for some of the information contained here.
