The Rolling Stones Cover Clifton Chenier on Limited Edition 7”
On June 27, 2025, Smithsonian Folkways released a limited edition vinyl 7” featuring a new recording of Clifton Chenier’s signature tune “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” by The Rolling Stones. The track, produced by acclaimed musician and songwriter CC Adcock, is now available for both streaming and downloading on Player.
Play MPE is honoured to participate in this charitable release as the exclusive destination for radio access to the single.
“Zydeco et Pas Salés” is a song with humble origins that gave its name to an entire musical tradition. The title translates to “snapbeans and no salt”, a reference to the hardships of rural poverty. The tune had a long history in the Louisiana countryside before becoming a signature hit for Clifton Chenier, known as the King of Zydeco. With nothing more than his voice, accordion, washboard, and drums, Clifton Chenier blends the emotion of blues and the groove of R&B with the rich Creole and Cajun traditions of South Louisiana.
Standing the Test of Time
Decades after its original release, Clifton Chenier’s iconic anthem “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” finds new life in the hands of The Rolling Stones. With unmistakable grit, the band transforms the accordion classic into a true rock’n’roll celebration. All while staying deeply rooted in the spirit of the original!
Mick Jagger, a fan of Chenier’s since 1965, delivers the entire track in French as tribute to the artist and culture that shaped the song. The track also features the legendary Steve Riley, whose accordion playing re-infuses the cover with the raw energy that made Chenier the King of Zydeco. This version is a salute from one musical lineage to another. It highlights the shared patterns between zydeco and rock. Through this reinterpretation, The Stones emphasize how Black music traditions continue to ripple across genres, connecting cultures and generations.
A Century of Sound: Celebrating the King of Zydeco
King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco is a 4 CD/6 LP retrospective box set assembled in celebration of what would have been Chenier’s 100th birthday. The set features a chronology of Chenier’s landmark work with various labels, alongside previously unissued gems. The 160-page book includes photos, posters, and other graphic artifacts from the Strachwitz Collection. The set also includes a touching personal remembrance by Clifton’s son, Zydeco musician C.J. Chenier.
Proceeds from the sale of the track and 7″ go to support the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which provides annual financial assistance to students studying traditional Zydeco accordion music at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Don’t miss out on this limited edition gem! Pre-order yours now.
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