His first and only hit song was “Bald Head,” recorded in 1950, but his compositions “Tipitina” and “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” have become anthems on the Mississippi River delta during carnival season. While he enjoyed only limited popularity in his career, his signature piano style, characterized by a rollicking boogie-woogie bass and engaging syncopation, can be heard in the music of such influential figures as Fats Domino (Domino, Fats), —who called Professor Longhair the “Bach (Bach, Johann Sebastian) of Rock and Roll”—and Dr. John (Mac Rebennack).