Σαν σήμερα, 3 Ιουνίου 1942, γεννήθηκε στο Σικάγο του Illinois ο singer-songwriter, παραγωγός και κιθαρίστας Curtis Mayfield, μια από τις σημαντικότερες φυσιογνωμίες της soul και της μαύρης μουσικής γενικότερα. Ασυνήθιστα παραγωγικός και εκλεκτικός συνθέτης, και ένας από τους πρώτους πολιτικά συνειδητοποιημένους αφροαμερικανούς καλλιτέχνες, συνδέθηκε στη δεκαετία του ’60 με το civil rights movement, με μια σειρά τραγουδιών [“People Get Ready”, “This is My Country”, “Choice Of Colors”, “Check Out Your Mind.” κλπ.] που έγραψε για το συγκρότημά του, The Impressions, πριν ακολουθήσει σόλο καριέρα από τις αρχές των ’70s. Ορόσημο αυτής της τελευταίας το σάουντρακ του για το blaxploitation film Superfly του 1972. Ο Curtis Mayfield έμεινε καθηλωμένος από ατύχημα σε αναπηρική πολυθρόνα το 1990. Πέθανε 9 χρόνια αργότερα.
On this date, June 3, 1942, singer-songwriter, producer and guitarist Curtis Mayfield, one of the most important figures in soul and black music in general, was born in Chicago, Illinois. An unusually prolific and eclectic composer, also one of the first politically conscious African-American artists, he was associated with the civil rights movement in the ’60s, with a series of songs [“People Get Ready”, “This is My Country”, “Choice Of Colors”, “Check Out Your Mind.” etc.] he wrote for his band, The Impressions, before pursuing a solo career in the early ’70s. Milestone of this one was the soundtrack for the 1972 Blaxploitation film, Superfly.
Curtis Mayfield was left paralyzed after an accident in 1990. He died nine years later.
On the podcast:
0:00 SOUL FLY – FREDDIE’S DEAD [INSTRUMENTAL VERSION] 4:48 IT’S ALRIGHT 8:46 YOU MUST BELIEVE ME [ΔΙΑΣΚΕΥΗ / COVERED BY ERIC CLAPTON] 13:16 MOVE ON UP 16:04 GYPSY WOMAN 19:15 THIS IS MY COUNTRY 22:06 PEOPLE GET READY 25:48 SOUL FLY – JUNKIE CHASE [INSTRUMENTAL] 27:29 FOOL FOR YOU 30:25 CHECK OUT YOUR MIND 33:55 CHOICE OF COLOURS 37:15 (DON’T WORRY) IF THERE’S A HELL BELOW
Loved this podcast.
The music was great, and as often, you have history tidbits.
I did not know about the accident, or being paralyzed.
My heart breaks… life breaks my heart.
Yes, it’s a sad story. He was a truly great man. And the adaption of his song by Eric Clapton [“You Must Believe Me, 8:48 on the podcast] shows how much he was loved and respected.
Thank you Resa!
Thank you! I adore all of the information here, as much as the music!
Many thanks for this podcast…. I remember this music… Its been a while since I heard… Reading your facts, I had not know of his accident or when he died…. <3
Thank you vert much Sue! He was a great man, I was saddened by the news of his accident, and even more when he passed by. But his spirit lives on!