Garnet Mimms facts for kids

Garnet Mimms (born Garrett Mimms, November 16, 1933) is an American singer. He was very important in the world of soul music and rhythm and blues. He first became famous as the lead singer of Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters. People know him best for his 1963 hit song "Cry Baby". Another famous singer, Janis Joplin, later recorded this song too. Experts say his powerful, soulful voice made him one of the first true soul singers.

Garnet Mimms' Early Life and Music Journey

Garnet Mimms was born in Ashland, West Virginia, in the United States. He grew up in Philadelphia. There, he sang in church choirs. He also sang in gospel groups like the Evening Stars. One of his first recordings was with a group called the Norfolk Four in 1953.

After serving in the military, he returned to Philadelphia. He joined a doo-wop group for a short time. Then, in 1958, he started a new group called the Gainors. This group included Sam Bell, Willie Combo, John Jefferson, and Howard Tate. The Gainors released several songs. However, they did not become famous. In 1961, Mimms and Bell left the Gainors. They then formed Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters with Charles Boyer and Zola Pearnell.

Becoming Famous with The Enchanters

In 1963, Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters moved to New York City. They started working with songwriter and producer Bert Berns. He signed them to the United Artists record label. They also worked with producer Jerry Ragovoy.

This new team quickly had a huge hit song called "Cry Baby". Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy wrote it. The song also featured background vocals from the Gospelaires. This group included Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. "Cry Baby" became number one on the R&B music chart. It also reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963. The song sold over one million copies. This earned it a gold disc, meaning it was a massive success!

The group had more hits that year. These included "For Your Precious Love" and "Baby Don't You Weep." Another popular song with the Enchanters was "A Quiet Place." This song became very popular in the Carolina beach music scene. Many Reggae artists also adapted "Quiet Place." They released it under different names, like "Man Next Door."

Garnet Mimms' Solo Career

In 1964, Mimms decided to start a solo career. The Enchanters continued with Sam Bell as the lead singer. They had a small hit called "I Wanna Thank You."

Mimms kept recording for United Artists. He had several smaller R&B hits over the next two years. These included "One Girl" and "A Little Bit of Soap." Some of his songs, like "It Was Easier to Hurt Her," became very popular in the British Northern soul dance scene.

In 1966, Berns and Ragovoy produced Mimms' last Top 40 hit. This song was "I'll Take Good Care Of You." It reached number 15 on the R&B chart. It also hit number 30 on the Hot 100 chart. Mimms also released three albums with United Artists. These were As Long As I Have You (1964), I'll Take Good Care Of You, and Warm and Soulful (both 1966).

Later Music and New Path

In 1966, Garnet Mimms moved to a different record label called Veep. He released more songs, including "My Baby." This song was later recorded by Janis Joplin. In 1967, he toured the United Kingdom with Jimi Hendrix. He also recorded a live album called Garnet Mimms Live with a Scottish band.

He continued to work with Jerry Ragovoy. In 1968, he started recording for Verve Records. Famous rock band Led Zeppelin performed an extended version of Mimms' song "As Long As I Have You" during their tours. Mimms' last recordings for a while were released in 1972.

In the late 1970s, he released some funk songs. He used the name Garnet Mimms and the Truckin' Company. He had his only hit in the UK during this time. The song "What It Is" reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1977.

Mimms stopped his music career soon after this. He became a Christian. In the 1980s, he found a new purpose. He started helping people through his faith. He worked with the New Jerusalem Prison Ministry. Later, he started his own group, Bottom Line Revival Ministries. He continued to help prisoners. In 2007, he returned to recording music. A year later, he released a new gospel album called Is Anybody Out There?.

In 1999, Garnet Mimms received a Pioneer Award. This award was from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. It honored his important contributions to music.

Discography

This table shows Garnet Mimms' songs that appeared on music charts.

Note: * The Billboard R&B chart was not published during this time.