Curtis Lee Mayfield was Born on June 3rd 1942 in Chicago Illinois to Parent’s Marion Washington and Kenneth Mayfield.
When Curtis was 5 Years Old, his Father left the Family, His Mother then moved the Family to several different Housing Area’s in Chicago, before finally Settling in the “Cabrini-Green Projects”.
Curtis Mayfield Dropped out of High School Early in 1956 at about 14/15 Years of Age to join a Band by the Name of “The Roosters”
Two Years later in 1958 “The Roosters” became “The Impressions” but it was not until 1961 before their First Hit was Recorded!
The Song was called “Gypsy Woman” now Classed as a “Classic Curtis Mayfield Song”
Throughout most of the 60’s “The Impressions” had numerous Hits, including some Great Songs, such as: “Amen” Its Alright “I’m So Proud” People Get Ready “Keep On Pushing” and Choice Of Colour, in fact they had nearly 40 Single Releases!
The First “Impressions” Album was Released in 1963 and named “The Impressions” there were a Total of 12 Albums in the 60’s.
Curtis Mayfield was Multi Talented included in the Instruments He could Play were, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Sax and Drums, not to forget He was also a Singer Songwriter and Producer.
By 1970 He had Left “The Impressions” to go Solo, it was around this Period He also started His own Record Label
“Curtom Records”
His Hit Records carried on as a Solo Artist, He always Wrote song’s with Meaning to them, including about Poverty, Drugs and Life in the USA etc.
Some of His Greatest Tracks came when He was a Solo Artist, including “Move On Up” We Got To Have Peace “Super Fly” Its Alright and “So In Love”
He carried on Recording until the Mid 80’s, Mostly He was Producing for other Acts, but continued to Tour throughout the 80’s.
This was to come to an End on August 13th 1990, when He was doing a Sound Check for His Outdoor Concert in Brooklyn, New York.
High Winds got up and Toppled a Lighting Stage Rig on top of Curtis Mayfield, He Survived the Incident but was Paralyzed from the Neck down, His Spine was Crushed in 3 Places, He Never Walked (un-aided) again.
He was to Record another Album in 1997 called “New World Order” which He had to Lay on his Back to Sings the Words, but He could not Play any Instruments!
But it came to an End on December 26 1999, Curtis Mayfield was to Die from His Steadily Declining Health caused by His Paralysis.
Curtis Mayfield & Impressions have had over 70 Compilation Albums Released.
My 3 Curtis Mayfield favorites are: Move On Up, So In Love and Do Be Down.
I have Written a Couple of In-Depth Post’s on Curtis Mayfield, His Life and Music! Please Press these Links:
Part One Part Two
A Selection of Curtis & The Impressions Greatest Hits!
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