Andrew Love (musician) facts for kids

Andrew Love (November 21, 1941 – April 12, 2012) was a super talented saxophone player. He was from Memphis, Tennessee. He is best known for being a key member of a famous group called The Memphis Horns.

Andrew Love's Music Journey

Andrew Love was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He first got interested in music at his father's Baptist church. He continued his music education in high school. Later, he studied at Langston University in Oklahoma.

Starting Out in Memphis

In 1965, Andrew returned to Memphis. He started working as a "session musician" at Stax Records. A session musician is someone who plays instruments for recordings. They are not usually part of the main band.

At Stax, he teamed up with trumpet player Wayne Jackson. Together, they created a special "horn sound." This sound became famous on hit songs by artists like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave.

The Memphis Horns

After recording many songs at Stax, Andrew and Wayne formed their own group. They called themselves The Memphis Horns. They started working as "freelance" musicians. This means they could play for many different artists.

The Memphis Horns recorded music for huge stars. These included Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, and Dusty Springfield. They also toured with famous bands. They played with The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, and Robert Cray.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2002, Andrew Love was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This health issue meant he had to retire from music in 2003. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 70.

Al Bell, who co-owned Stax Records, spoke highly of Andrew. He said Andrew's saxophone playing was very special. He felt Andrew's music could "arouse your deepest emotions." He added that Andrew did this "gently, softly."