Arthur Adams (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arthur Adams
Adams performing on stage in 2008
Background information
Also known as	Arthur K. Adams
Born	(1943-12-25) December 25, 1943 (age 81) Medon, Tennessee, United States
Genres	Blues, R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer, bandleader, film score
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Years active	1957–present
Labels	Cleopatra Blues, a division of Cleopatra Records, RCA, Kent Records, Jamie Records, Modern Records, Blind Pig, Blue Thumb, Fantasy, Utopia, A&M, Dutchess Records, Chisa Records, Valdot Records, Kind of Blue Music

Arthur Adams (born December 25, 1943) is an American blues guitarist. He is also a singer and songwriter from Medon, Tennessee. Arthur Adams was inspired by famous artists like B.B. King. He started playing gospel music when he was young.

Later, he moved to Los Angeles. In the 1960s and 1970s, he released his own music. He also worked as a session musician, playing for other artists. In 1985, he toured as a bass guitarist with Nina Simone. He made a big return in the 1990s with his album Back on Track. He became a well-known Chicago blues player. Arthur Adams also led bands in B.B. King's music clubs.

Arthur Adams writes many songs. His blues style mixes different types of music. He sings with a cool, soulful sound. He has worked with many top blues musicians. He still performs music today.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Arthur Adams was born on December 25, 1943. His hometown is Medon, Tennessee. When he was six, he sang in his church choir. But he didn't start playing guitar until he was a teenager. In the mid-1950s, his mother taught him. He learned by watching her finger positions.

He loved listening to artists like B.B. King and Muddy Waters on the radio. These musicians inspired him greatly. Arthur Adams formed a group with his cousins. They called themselves the Gospel Travelers. They toured around Tennessee and Arkansas.

The group stopped when Arthur moved to Tennessee. He went to Tennessee State University. There, he studied music. He also played in the school's jazz and blues band.

Arthur Adams' Professional Music Journey

Arthur Adams began playing blues music professionally. He played at a student bar called the Club Baron. He also toured with Gene Allison's band. Gene Allison was famous for his 1957 song "You Can Make It If You Try".

After a tour, Arthur was left in Dallas. He stayed there from 1959 to 1964. He played in local nightclubs. He performed with legends like Lightnin' Hopkins and Chuck Berry. Sometimes, he even played with Buddy Guy. During these early years, he played both gospel and blues.

Early Recordings and Moving to Los Angeles

In the early 1960s, Arthur released several songs. One was "If It Ain't One Thing It's Another". He also released "I Had A Dream" in 1961. On some of his early records, he was called Arthur K. Adams. The "K" was just for marketing.

In 1964, Arthur Adams moved to Los Angeles, California. A DJ suggested he become a session musician there. A session musician plays on recordings for other artists. This move was very good for Arthur. He became well-known in clubs. He also became a busy studio musician. He played on movie soundtracks. He recorded with many artists, from Lou Rawls to Henry Mancini.

He made blues and soul music on the Modern label. He even sang a duet called "Let's Get Together". He sang it with Edna Wright, who later led the group Honey Cone.

Playing with Music Stars

Arthur Adams became part of the house band for a TV show. This led to more studio work in Los Angeles. He played on recordings for many famous groups. These included the Jackson 5, Lou Rawls, and Nancy Wilson. He also played on "Black Pearl" by Sonny Charles & the Checkmates, Ltd.. This song was produced by Phil Spector.

In 1967, Arthur Adams appeared in a TV movie called The Outsider. He played his song "She Drives Me Out of My Mind". In the late 1960s, he recorded Rhythm and blues songs with members of The Crusaders.

Solo Albums and Style Changes

In 1972, Arthur Adams released his first solo album. It was called It's Private Tonight. It featured musicians like Joe Sample from The Crusaders. Arthur also played on many of The Crusaders' jazz and funk albums. In 1972, he recorded a live album with organ player Jimmy Smith. This album, Root Down, became very popular.

He released four more albums in the 1970s. His music started to sound more like funk. Albums like Home Brew and Midnight Serenade showed this change. He also co-wrote a song called "Truckload of Lovin'" with Jimmy Lewis. This song was on Albert King's album.

In the late 1970s, Arthur Adams played more soul music. In 1981, he had a big hit song called "You Got the Floor". It reached number 1 on the UK disco chart. It also reached number 38 on the UK singles chart.

Return to Blues and Recent Work

In the 1980s, Arthur Adams went back to his blues roots. He sometimes worked as a session guitarist. In 1985, he became the bass player for Nina Simone. He toured Europe with her. He also played on her album Nina's Back.

By 1987, Arthur Adams was leading his own blues band. He wrote two songs for B. B. King's 1992 album. Arthur became a bandleader at B.B. King's blues club in Los Angeles. He often played with drummer James Gadson.

In 1999, he released Back on Track. This was his first solo album in 20 years. B.B. King played guitar on the album. Arthur wrote most of the songs. They mixed gospel, blues, and soul styles. He sang two duets with B.B. King on the album.

In 2004, he released Soul of the Blues. In 2012, he released an EP called Feet Back in the Door. Keb' Mo' produced this album. In 2019, he released To Make You Feel Good. His latest album, Kick Up Some Dust, came out in 2023. He also released a single called "Last Night" in 2023.

Discography

Albums

Charted singles

• "You Got the Floor" (1981) – UK #38