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‘14 Years Ago’ – Zydeco Accordionists Rally Roundby Rob Howard |
The Accordions Worldwide news for August 28th 1998 reported that leading Zydeco accordionist and bandleader Jo Jo Reed was seriously injured when his car was hit by a drunk driver. Fellow Zydeco musicians rallied round to assist with the resultant medical expenses, and it is also good to be able to say that Jo Jo Reed is today still performing and pursuing his musical career. ACCORDIONIST INJURED BY DRUNK DRIVER - USA Contributed by Dennis Gurwell The Swamp Gators performed at a successful benefit dance for Jo Jo Reed on August 23rd in Gardena to over 200 people. Jo Jo Reed is a Zydeco accordionist from Louisiana. He plays accordion, bass and drums. He was badly injured earlier this year coming home from a gig when a drunk driver going in the opposite direction, crossed over the centre line and hit Jo Jo's car head on. He has had to undergo a series of facial reconstruction surgeries. He is now up and around and is scheduled to play at the Louisiana Zydeco Festival on September 5th and 6th, but has been left with large medical bills. The benefit dance was one of several held this week on the West Coast of the USA. On August 22nd, Geno Delafose and Balfa Toujours performed a concert in Seattle, Washington, and donated their pay to the cause. In the San Francisco Bay area on the same night, Zydeco accordionist Kenny Menard and his band donated their services at another benefit dance. |