Today is the birthday of Al Green, soul legend singer and songwriter. The above artwork and his portrait on the musical reference book / birthday calendar below are made by me, Frieke.
Al Green was born on April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas. He is one of the greatest soul singers of all time and has written numerous big hits. His music is characterized by his smooth, powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion.
Green's first single was Back Up Train, released in 1967 when he was still a member of the band Al Greene & the Soul Mates. Although it did not achieve widespread national success at the time, it laid the groundwork for Green's future success as a solo artist. The song showcases his early talent as a soul singer. Despite its initially modest success, "Back Up Train" remains an important part of Al Green's musical legacy. His first major hit was Tired of Being Alone in 1971, followed by a series of successful albums, including Let's Stay Together (1972) with the iconic title track. He continues to release albums and singles, including Love And Happiness , I'm Still In Love With You (1972), Call Me (1973), Livin' for You (1973) and Let's Get Married (1974). His smooth, soulful voice and romantic lyrics made him a worldwide sensation.
In 1974, tragedy struck when Green's girlfriend, Mary Woodson, committed suicide in his home. Deeply affected by the event, Green turned to religion. In 1976, he became a preacher at The Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis. In 1977, he founded his own studio, American Music. He began incorporating gospel themes into his music, leading to the successful release of the The Belle Album in 1977, which he produced himself. In the 1980s and 1990s, Green released a number of albums that appealed to a broader audience and had a more contemporary sound. An example of this is the album I Get Joy
from 1989, whose title track achieved some mainstream success.
Al Green's latest studio album is Lay It Down released in 2008. This album features collaborations with contemporary artists such as John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, and Corinne Bailey Rae. The album received positive reviews from critics. Since then, Green has released compilation studio albums. He remains active in music and occasionally performs. He also continues to preach at The Full Gospel Tabernacle.
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