Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, better known as Professor Longhair or "Fess," was born on December 19, 1918, in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He became a pivotal figure in shaping the sound of New Orleans rhythm and blues. Raised in New Orleans, Byrd learned music from his mother and began his musical journey by playing on a discarded piano he found, influenced by local pianists Sullivan Rock and Kid Stormy Weather.

In 1948, he began his professional career, gaining the stage name "Professor Longhair" at the Caldonia Club. His first recordings were with the Shuffling Hungarians in 1949, but union issues delayed their release. His only national hit, "Bald Head," was recorded in 1950. Despite limited commercial success, his unique piano style, which combined boogie-woogie, rumba, and calypso, influenced many musicians, including Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, and Dr. John.

Professor Longhair's career waned in the 1960s, leading him to work as a janitor. However, he experienced a resurgence in the 1970s, performing at major festivals and releasing acclaimed albums like "Live on the Queen Mary" with Paul McCartney. His 1980 album "Crawfish Fiesta" was critically lauded, and posthumously, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Professor Longhair passed away on January 30, 1980, in New Orleans, but his legacy endures through the musicians he inspired and the enduring popularity of his compositions like "Tipitina" and "Mardi Gras in New Orleans."