TulaneLSU’s top 50 New Orleanians of the 20th and 21st centuries

Dear Friends,

New Orleans is home and has been home to some of the world’s most prodigious and preposterous people. When our dear friend, buttocks, recently released the list of 50 New Orleanians whose names will appear on the Canal Street walk of fame, which is an embarrassing imitation of the cultureless Hollywood, where I once stayed in a rundown hotel not far from the opening scene of Pretty Woman, I was affrighted and knew an antidote was necessary.

Whereas the officially bad New Orleans list does not give any criteria for inclusion, this list requires that the person has had a positive influence on people. The person must also either have been born in New Orleans or made significant contributions to New Orleans. Also, my list comes only from the 20th and 21st centuries. As such, people like the Revd. Benjamin Palmer, one of the greatest of all New Orleanians, is excluded due to his chronology. I also feel it would be indecorous to include my own family members, despite your very honorable and kind suggestions. Mother, Uncle, Grandfather, Grandmother, and Great, Great Grandmother, the inventor of Front Day, all are deserving of inclusion, but you will not find them here.

TulaneLSU’s top 50 New Orleanians of the 20th and 21st centuries:

Avery Alexander
Stephen Ambrose
Louis Armstrong
Tom Benson
Bob Breck
Will Clark
Truman Capote
Leah Chase
Al Copeland
Dr. Michael DeBakey
Ellen DeGeneres
Dave Dixon
Fats Domino
Marshall Faulk
Tom Fitzmorris
Pete Fountain
Norman Francis
James Gill
Francis C. Grevemberg
The Revd. J.D. Grey
Bryant Gumbel
Oretha Castle Haley
Andrew Higgins
Al Hirt
Joe Impastato
Sal Kahn
Grace King
The Revd. Fred Luter Jr.
Peyton Manning
Wynton Marsalis
John McCrady
Jelly Roll Morton
Ray Nagin
Aaron Neville
Dr. Alton Ochsner
Mel Ott
Walker Percy
Louis Prima
Paul Prudhomme
Lena Richard
John G. Schwegmann
The Rt. Revd. Davis Sessums
Richard Simmons
Irma Thomas
A.P. Tureaud
Lil Wayne
Carl Weathers
Tennessee Williams
A. Baldwin Wood
Sam Zemurray

As is always the case, I welcome your criticism and suggestions.


Yours,

TulaneLSU