Curtis Mayfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Curtis Mayfield
Mayfield performing for Dutch television in 1972
Background information
Birth name	Curtis Lee Mayfield
Born	(1942-06-03)June 3, 1942 Chicago, Illinois, US
Died	December 26, 1999(1999-12-26) (aged 57) Roswell, Georgia, US
Genres	Soul R&B funk progressive soul gospel psychedelic soul
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter guitarist record producer
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano keyboards
Years active	1956–1999
Labels	Curtom Warner Bros. Rhino
Associated acts	The Impressions Jerry Butler

Curtis Lee Mayfield (born June 3, 1942 – died December 26, 1999) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was a very important musician in soul music and African-American music that spoke about social issues. People called him the "Gentle Genius."

Curtis first became famous with his group, The Impressions, during the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1950s and 1960s. Later, he had a successful career as a solo artist. He is honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice!

Curtis started singing in a gospel choir. When he was 14, he met Jerry Butler and joined a group called The Impressions. Curtis became known for writing songs that talked about important social topics in soul music.

In 1965, he wrote "People Get Ready" for The Impressions. This song is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It has won many awards and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

After leaving The Impressions in 1970, Curtis released several solo albums. One of his most famous works is the soundtrack for the 1972 film Super Fly. This album was special because it talked about problems in inner-city neighborhoods, like crime and poverty.

Sadly, in 1990, Curtis became paralyzed from the neck down after an accident during a concert. Even so, he kept making music. He released his last album, New World Order, in 1996. Curtis Mayfield passed away in 1999 at age 57 due to health problems.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Curtis Lee Mayfield was born on June 3, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of five children. His father left the family when Curtis was five years old. His mother and grandmother taught him piano and encouraged him to enjoy gospel music.

When he was seven, Curtis sang publicly with the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers. He got his first guitar at age ten and loved it so much he would sleep with it! Curtis taught himself to play guitar. He admired blues singer Muddy Waters and Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia.

At 14, Curtis formed a group called the Alphatones. Later in 1956, he joined his friend Jerry Butler's group, The Roosters. He wrote songs for this group, which would later become The Impressions.

Career Highlights

The Impressions: Early Success

The Impressions in 1964: Sam Gooden, Curtis Mayfield, and Fred Cash.

Curtis Mayfield's music career began in 1956 when he joined The Roosters. Two years later, the group, now including Sam Gooden, became The Impressions. They had two hit songs with Jerry Butler, "For Your Precious Love" and "Come Back My Love."

When Jerry Butler left, Curtis briefly joined him. But soon, Curtis returned to The Impressions. Fred Cash joined the group, and Curtis became the lead singer and main songwriter. Their first big hit was "Gypsy Woman."

The Impressions became very popular in the mid-1960s. Curtis wrote many hit songs for them, including "Keep On Pushing," "People Get Ready," and "It's All Right."

In 1968, Curtis started his own record label called Curtom Records. The Impressions joined him there and continued to have hits like "This is My Country" and "Choice Of Colors."

Music for Social Change

Curtis Mayfield wrote many songs that became anthems for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. His song "Keep On Pushing" was a powerful message of hope and determination. It was even sung by marchers during the Freedom Rides.

By the end of the 1960s, Curtis was a leader in the black pride movement. His song "We're a Winner" became a powerful anthem for black power. Even though some radio stations banned his songs, Curtis continued to write music that inspired people to fight for equality.

Curtis also wrote and produced songs for many other artists. He helped create hits for singers like Major Lance and Jan Bradley.

A Solo Star: Super Fly and Beyond

In 1970, Curtis Mayfield left The Impressions to start his solo career. His first solo album, Curtis, was a big success. It talked about social issues, much like Marvin Gaye's famous album, What's Going On.

His biggest solo success was the Super Fly soundtrack in 1972. This album topped the charts and sold millions of copies. Unlike other movie soundtracks that glorified crime, Curtis's lyrics offered a strong message about the challenges in black urban neighborhoods.

Super Fly helped create a new style of soul music that was both funky and socially aware. The songs "Freddie's Dead" and "Super Fly" each sold over a million copies.

Curtis also wrote soundtracks for other films. He worked with Gladys Knight & the Pips for Claudine (1974) and Aretha Franklin for Sparkle (1976). He also teamed up with The Staple Singers for Let's Do It Again (1975).

In 1973, Curtis released Back to the World, an album that criticized war and its effects. His music continued to be featured in movies throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Personal Life and Later Years

Curtis Mayfield was married twice and had 10 children. At the time of his death, he was married to Altheida Mayfield.

Life-Changing Accident

On August 13, 1990, a terrible accident happened. Stage lighting equipment fell on Curtis during a concert in New York. This accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Even though he could no longer play the guitar, Curtis continued to compose and sing. He found a way to record by lying down, which helped him breathe and sing. His last album, New World Order (1996), was recorded this way.

Final Years and Passing

Curtis received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. In 1998, he had to have his right leg removed due to type 2 diabetes.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in March 1999. This made him one of the few artists to be inducted twice (first with The Impressions in 1991).

Curtis Mayfield passed away on December 26, 1999, at age 57, due to complications from diabetes. He left behind his wife, mother, 10 children, and many grandchildren.

Musical Legacy and Influence

Curtis Mayfield was one of the first black R&B artists to put strong social commentary into his music. His "message music" was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

Curtis taught himself to play guitar. He tuned his guitar to the black keys of the piano, which gave his music a unique sound. He often sang in a high voice called a falsetto. His guitar playing, singing, and socially aware songwriting influenced many artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, and Stevie Wonder.

In 2017, it was announced that singer Lionel Richie is working on a movie about Curtis Mayfield's life.

Awards and Honors

• The Impressions' song "People Get Ready," written by Curtis, was chosen as one of the Top 10 Best Songs Of All Time by famous songwriters and producers.
• In 2019, the Super Fly soundtrack was chosen by the Library of Congress to be saved in the National Recording Registry. This means it's considered "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Rolling Stone Magazine Rankings

• "People Get Ready" is ranked No. 24 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
• Curtis Mayfield is ranked No. 34 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
• He is ranked No. 38 on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
• His album Super Fly is ranked No. 72 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
• Curtis is ranked No. 78 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
• In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Curtis Mayfield No. 98 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Hall of Fame Inductions

• 1991: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Impressions.
• 1999: Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
• 1999: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• 2003: Posthumously inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of The Impressions.

Grammy Awards

Curtis Mayfield was nominated for eight Grammy Awards. He won the special Grammy Legend Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Grammy Hall of Fame

Discography

Filmography

• Super Fly (1972) as himself
• Save the Children (1973) as himself
• Short Eyes (1977) as Pappy
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) as Guest

See also

In Spanish: Curtis Mayfield para niños