Swamp Pop Legend Rod Bernard Dies at 79

Swamp pop legend and longtime broadcaster Rod Bernard died today after a short illness. He was 79 years old.

Rod's son, Shane Bernard, posted the news earlier this evening on his Facebook page. He noted that his dad died in New Iberia and that the illness was not COVID-19.

Bernard was born in Opelousas on August 12, 1940 and began performing when he was only nine years old when he joined the cast of "The Blue Room" on KSLO Radio based in Opelousas. Years later, he would be hired at the station as a disc jockey while still pursuing his music career.

In 1958, Bernard released his signature tune "This Should Go On Forever." The song actually made it to the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the spring of 1959. Off the success of that song, Bernard scored an appearance on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand."

Bernard later scored a regional hit with his version of "Colinda."

Many of us in Acadiana have welcomed Rod Bernard into our home as broadcasting highlighted much of his career. He spent time on local TV, hosting the "Saturday Hop" music program on KLFY. He also worked as an on-air personality for multiple radio stations.

He retired from his career as a radio advertising executive in January 2018.