The new year just keeps getting crappier as news comes across our desk about the passing of Memphis soul legend Willie Mitchell. The musician, producer, and former label executive broke his hip in September 2009, and had been in ill health ever since when he suffered cardiac arrest in early December. Mitchell passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the age of 81 years.
Born in Mississippi, Mitchell moved to Memphis while in high school. He began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, and formed several musical combos as a teen, and after serving a stint in the army during the early-1950s, he returned to Memphis to pursue a career in music. He quickly became a popular local performer and bandleader, and in 1959 he signed with Hi Records as a solo artist and producer, an action that would change the course of popular music.
As an artist, Mitchell enjoyed a lengthy string of instrumental hits throughout the 1960s, and albums like Sunrise Serenade, It's Dance Time, and Solid Soul made him a popular attraction on the college tour circuit. When Hi Records founder Joe Cuoghi died in 1970, Mitchell found himself running the label. With Mitchell's guidance as producer, recently-signed Hi Records artist Al Green became a star, and the two worked together on a number of albums between 1970 and 1976 that would spawn dozens of hit singles. Mitchell also enjoyed considerable success producing soul and blues artists like Ann Peebles and Syl Johnson, among others, as well as continuing his own solo career.
Mitchell remained busy over the past few years, releasing his final album, Walkin' With Willie, in 2003; working with John Mayer and Rod Stewart; and producing a yet-to-be-released album by R&B giant Solomon Burke. Mitchell received many industry honors during his lengthy career, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy from The Recording Academy in 2008. Mitchell is survived by two daughters, two grandsons, and a great granddaughter. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and many fans around the world.
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez, courtesy Getty Images
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