Al Green facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al Green
Green in 1996
Background information
Birth name	Albert Leornes Greene
Also known as	The Reverend Al Green
Born	(1946-04-13) April 13, 1946 (age 79) Forrest City, Arkansas, U.S.
Genres	Soul R&B gospel Southern soul progressive soul
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter pastor record producer
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Hi Myrrh The Right Stuff Fat Possum A&M Word Epic MCA Blue Note

Al Green, born Albert Leornes Greene on April 13, 1946, is a famous American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his amazing voice and soulful music. He became a big star in the early 1970s with many hit songs.

Some of his most famous songs include "Tired of Being Alone" (1971) and "Love and Happiness" (1973). His signature song, "Let's Stay Together" (1972), was a huge success. Later in his career, Al Green became a pastor and started singing gospel music. He also returned to making popular secular music.

Al Green was honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. People call him "one of the most gifted soul music artists." He has won 11 Grammy Awards, including a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone magazine also listed him as one of the greatest singers of all time.

Green is a key artist in Memphis soul music. He worked closely with producer Willie Mitchell and the Hi Rhythm Section. This partnership helped him achieve his greatest musical success.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Albert Leornes Greene was born on April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was the sixth of ten children in his family. When he was about ten years old, Al started singing with his sister in a group called the Greene Brothers. In the late 1950s, his family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

As a teenager, Al's father, who was very religious, did not approve of him listening to certain music. Al loved artists like Elvis Presley and Wilson Pickett. He once said, "Whatever [Elvis] got, I went out and bought."

In high school, Al formed a singing group called Al Greene & the Creations. Two members of the group started their own record label. In 1966, the group changed its name to Al Greene & the Soul Mates. They recorded a song called "Back Up Train." This song became a hit on the R&B charts.

While performing, Green met Memphis record producer Willie Mitchell. Mitchell hired him to sing with his band in 1969. After this show, Mitchell asked Green to join his Hi Records label.

A Career in Music

Finding His Unique Sound

Willie Mitchell noticed that Al Green was trying to sound like other famous singers. Mitchell helped Green find his own special singing style. Before releasing his first album with Hi Records, Green dropped the "e" from his last name.

His first album, Green Is Blues (1969), was quite successful. His next album, Al Green Gets Next to You (1971), featured a hit cover of the Temptations' song "I Can't Get Next to You." This album also had his first big hit, "Tired of Being Alone." This song sold a million copies and was certified gold. It was the first of many gold singles for Green between 1971 and 1974.

Al Green appearing on The Mike Douglas Show in 1973

Becoming a Soul Music Star

Green's album Let's Stay Together (January 1972) made him a true soul music star. The title song was his biggest hit ever. It reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. This album was his first to be certified gold.

His next album, I'm Still in Love with You (October 1972), sold even more, becoming platinum. It included hit singles like "Look What You Done for Me" and the title track. Both songs reached the top 10 on the Hot 100 chart.

His album Call Me (April 1973) also had three top-10 songs. These were "You Ought to Be with Me", "Call Me (Come Back Home)", and "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)". Green also had other popular songs like "Love and Happiness" and "Take Me to the River."

Green's album Livin' for You (December 1973) was also certified gold. He continued to have successful R&B hits in the following years. These included "Livin' for You" and "Full of Fire."

By 1977, when Green released The Belle Album, his record sales started to slow down. This was partly because Green wanted to become a minister. His last album with Hi Records, Truth n' Time, was released in 1978.

Singing Gospel Music

In 1979, Al Green had an accident while performing. He fell off the stage and was injured. He saw this as a sign to focus on his faith and gospel music.

From 1981 to 1989, Green recorded many gospel albums. His 1980 album The Lord Will Make a Way was his first on a Christian music label. The title song from this album won Green his first of eight Grammy Awards for Best Soul Gospel Performance.

In 1982, Green acted with Patti LaBelle in a Broadway play. A documentary film about his life and church, Gospel According to Al Green, was released in 1984. In 1987, his song "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" became a minor hit on the R&B chart.

Returning to Popular Music

In 1988, Green returned to secular music. He recorded "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Annie Lennox for the movie Scrooged. This song became Green's first top-10 pop hit since 1974. He also had a hit in 1989 with "The Message is Love."

Green performing at the Sonoma Jazz festival, May 23, 2008

In 1993, Green signed with RCA and released the album Don't Look Back. He won his ninth Grammy award for his duet with Lyle Lovett on "Funny How Time Slips Away." Green's 1995 album, Your Heart's In Good Hands, came out around the time he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2000, Green released his autobiography, Take Me to the River. Two years later, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also recorded a hit R&B duet with Ann Nesby. Green reunited with Willie Mitchell in 2003 for the album I Can't Stop.

His 2008 album, Lay It Down, was produced by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and James Poyser. This album was Green's first to reach the top 10 since the early 1970s. It included a duet with John Legend.

In 2009, Green recorded "People Get Ready" with Heather Headley. In 2010, he performed "Let's Stay Together" on a TV show. On September 13, 2018, Al Green released his first new song in almost ten years, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls."

Personal Life

Al Green established the Full Gospel Tabernacle church in Memphis in 1976. He lives in Millington and preaches near Memphis. He is also a member of the Prince Hall Masons.

In September 2013, Green's sister Maxine Green was reported missing from her assisted living home. As of March 2023, she is still missing.

Family

On June 15, 1977, Green married Shirley Green (née Kyles) in Memphis. She was one of his backing singers and worked at his church. They have three daughters together. Their marriage ended in February 1983.

Al Green has seven children in total. His sons are Chris Burse Sr., Al Green Jr., and Trevor. His daughters are Alva Lei Green, Rubi Renee Green, and Kora Kishé Green, who he had with Shirley. He also has another daughter named Kala.

Discography

Awards and Honors

Al Green has been nominated for 21 Grammy Awards and has won 11 of them. This includes the special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Two of his songs, "Let's Stay Together" and "Take Me To the River," are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2004, he was also inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame. That same year, he joined The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 65 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 BET Awards. On August 26, 2004, Green was honored as a BMI Icon. He was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2009. On December 7, 2014, he was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

See also

In Spanish: Al Green para niños

• Album era
• List of best-selling music artists