October 27, 1949 - May 23, 2006               Port Arthur, TX

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Clifford Antone’s story begins in Port Arthur, Texas. Born into a large American family of Syrian and Lebanese descent, he had a deep devotion to both his relatives and his cultural heritage. Growing up in a blue-collar refinery town east of Houston and just across the Sabine River from Louisiana, he was surrounded by a rich mix of musical traditions. Port Arthur was—and still is—a cultural crossroads absorbing sounds from every direction: country, zydeco, Cajun, swamp pop, soul, gospel, rock ’n’ roll, and above all, the blues. That broad musical environment shaped his lifelong passion.

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Clifford opened the first incarnation of Antone’s in an old department store on Austin’s East Sixth Street, then a rough, overlooked neighborhood. From the start, he filled the club with an eclectic mix of national and regional artists, bringing in hometown hero Clifton Chenier alongside Texas blues figures like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Albert Collins. As the club’s reputation grew, Antone’s became a stage for the giants: B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Albert King, Buddy Guy, and many others. Clifford insisted on a simple principle—blues musicians were American masters, worthy of the same respect given to great writers and visual artists.

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At the same time, Clifford became a mentor to the wave of young Austin musicians eager to learn. Every night, seasoned performers schooled the newcomers, creating a rare cross-generational exchange. From this environment emerged a vibrant Austin blues scene all its own. Stars like Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Fabulous Thunderbirds rose to national prominence, while local fixtures such as Angela Strehli, Paul Ray and the Cobras, Marcia Ball, Lou Ann Barton, Doyle Bramhall (and Doyle Bramhall II), Denny Freeman, Derek O’Brien, Charlie Sexton, Sue Foley, the Moellers, and the Keller Brothers built formidable reputations of their own. Antone’s also embraced other corners of Austin music, hosting long residencies by Bob Schneider, energetic shows from Joe Ely, and appearances by Doug Sahm and Willie Nelson.

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Clifford’s support extended far beyond the stage. His generosity was legendary—when blues veterans came down from Chicago or other cities, he routinely paid for their dental work, medical visits, or unexpected bills. Toward the end of his life, he virtually adopted Pinetop Perkins, Muddy Waters’ celebrated piano player. He also gave back in formal ways, most notably through his “Help Clifford Help Kids” benefit concerts supporting American YouthWorks. Throughout his life, he continued encouraging young talent, and Gary Clark Jr.—now a world-renowned guitarist—got his start at Antone’s at age fifteen, with Clifford proudly cheering from the wings.

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Despite five relocations, Antone’s—“Home of the Blues”—continues today on East 5th Street in Austin, where local musicians still trade sets with touring headliners and fans from around the world come to pay tribute. Clifford’s impact has been recognized with his induction into the Austin Music Hall of Fame (1985), the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame (2009), and the Austin Music Memorial (2010). The Clifford Antone Foundation carries his mission forward, supporting veteran musicians and nurturing the next generation—arguably his most enduring legacy.

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In the early 2000s, Clifford taught The Blues According to Clifford Antone at both the University of Texas and Texas State University. A dedicated scholar of the blues from an early age, his lifelong journey began in his formative years in Port Arthur, Texas.