The Louisiana Aces

Cajun band founded in 1950, originally led by accordionist Elias Badeaux, later by guitarist and singer D. L. Menard who joined the band in 1952, and accordionist Marc Savoy. The band was originally named "Badeaux & Louisiana Aces", and in addition to Badeaux and Menard the line up in 1963 included Arconge Touchet (steel guitar), Joseph Lopez (fiddle), and John Suire (drums). The band started breaking up around 1967: Menard went to become a furniture maker, Touchet left to form Touchet Brothers with his brothers, and Badeaux took full-time job as a school custodian in 1969. In 1973 the Louisiana Aces were invited to perform at the National Folk Festival in Vienna, Virginia. The line-up included everyone else except Badeaux who was replaced by accordionist Curley Veronie. The performance revived the band, and in 1974 Rounder Records gathered all the members - including Badeaux - and recorded an album. The band also had started performing under the leadership of accordionist Marc Savoy and Menard. Other band regulars at the time included Dick Richard (steel guitar or fiddle), Lionel Leleux (fiddle), and drummer John Suire.