Best known for his signature song "Rockin' Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu," New Orleans legend Huey "Piano" Smith was a key architect of the transition from R&B to rock & roll. Backed with his aptly named band the Clowns, Smith featured silly, sometimes suggestive lyrics along with his trademark blend of jump blues, New Orleans piano boogie, and rock-&-roll drive. Born in New Orleans on January 26, 1934, Smith formed the Clowns with lead singer Bobby Marchan in 1955, scoring hits like "Don't You Just Know It" and the first version of the classic "Sea Cruise" with singer Frankie Ford.