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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 29
BY SENATOR KLEINPETER
A RESOLUTION
To commend The Falcons swamp-pop band for being inducted into the Louisiana Music
Hall of Fame.
WHEREAS, The Falcons, a 1950s swamp-pop group from the Pointe Coupee area,
was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame on March 25, 2024, joining Mahalia
Jackson, Louis Armstrong, and Randy Newman, among many other distinguished artists;
and
WHEREAS, Donald "Duck" Miletello, C.J. Miletello, Nunzio "Nolan" Miletello,
Wilson Angelle, Cecil Bizette, Frankie Hillyard, Glynn Delatte, Leroy "Rocky" Jarreau,
Frank Wayne Zito, and Everett Brady are credited with being the original members of The
Falcons; and
WHEREAS, the group is named after the senior Miletello's love for the Ford Falcon,
the iconic American car of the 1950s and 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Salvadore "Sam" Miletello served as the band's manager and booking
agent; and
WHEREAS, Donald "Duck" Miletello, C.J. Miletello, Cecil Bizette, Frankie
Hillyard, Glynn Delatte, Leroy "Rocky" Jarreau, and Everett Brady are the group's surviving
members who were in attendance to accept the award on behalf of the members who have
since passed away; and
WHEREAS, the group that started out playing beat-up instruments from school
became fan favorites while providing sixty years of timeless music; and
WHEREAS, The Falcons landed its first paid gig at a wedding in 1957; and
WHEREAS, The Falcons often traveled to Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and
Alabama, playing backup for Dale & Grace, who later became the most recognized name
in the R&B subgenre of swamp-pop, and even played some of the same venues as Elvis
Presley, the Boogie Kings, and Buddy Guy; and
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WHEREAS, music is one of Louisiana's greatest resources; and
WHEREAS, The Falcons recorded seven albums along with six forty-five singles;
and
WHEREAS, some of The Falcons' music was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's
recording studio in New Orleans, and Joseph Denton "J.D." Miller's studio in Crowley,
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is the birthplace of many of the world's unique musical styles,
including jazz, blues, zydeco, swamp-pop, rock and roll, gospel, country, bounce, rhythm
and blues, and Cajun music; and
WHEREAS, the Falcons' immortalization in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
comes decades after the band stopped playing together, but being inducted into the fraternity
of Louisiana musicians cements The Falcons as an official part of this state's rich music
history.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend The Falcons swamp-pop band for being inducted into the Louisiana
Music Hall of Fame, and does hereby extend sincere well wishes to its members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Leroy
"Rocky" Jarreau, C.J. Miletello, Cecil Bizette, Frankie Hillyard, Glynn Delatte, Everett
Brady, and Donald "Duck" Miletello.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
families of Nunzio "Nolan" Miletello, Wilson Angelle, Frank Wayne Zito, and Salvadore
"Sam" Miletello.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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