The Cajun music world and fans are mourning the passing of Belton Richard.
Belton Richard passed away on the evening of June 21, 2017. Belton Richard was a living legendary accordionist. He was born in Rayne on October 5, 1939. He picked up the accordion at the tender age of 7 years old and by the time he was 12 he was already playing with a band. The band was called Neg Halloway and the Rayne Playboys. In 1959, he formed his own band and called it the Musical Aces. Belton Richard’s style of Cajun music was unique and got the attention of many young musicians. He was honored in 1995 at the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles in 1995 and then inducted in the Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1997.