Garnet Mimms facts for kids

Garnet Mimms (born Garrett Mimms on November 16, 1933) is an American singer. He became very important in soul music and rhythm and blues. He first became famous as the lead singer of Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters. He is best known for his 1963 hit song "Cry Baby". This song was later sung by the famous artist Janis Joplin. Music experts say that his powerful, gospel-style singing made him one of the first true soul singers. Many people believe his musical impact is still not fully recognized.

The Early Life of Garnet Mimms

Garnet Mimms was born in Ashland, West Virginia, in the United States. He grew up in Philadelphia, where he loved to sing. He sang in church choirs and in gospel groups. Some of these groups were the Evening Stars and the Harmonizing Four.

Starting His Music Journey

Mimms first recorded music in 1953. He was part of a group called the Norfolk Four. They recorded for Savoy Records. After serving in the military, he returned to Philadelphia. He joined a doo-wop group called the Deltones for a short time.

In 1958, he formed a new group called the Gainors. This group included Sam Bell, Willie Combo, John Jefferson, and Howard Tate. The Gainors released several songs over the next few years. They recorded for labels like Red Top, Mercury, and Talley Ho. However, their songs did not become big hits.

Forming The Enchanters

In 1961, Mimms and Sam Bell left the Gainors. They teamed up with Charles Boyer and Zola Pearnell. Together, they formed the group Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters.

Becoming a Star with The Enchanters

In 1963, the group moved from Philadelphia to New York. There, they started working with songwriter and producer Bert Berns. He signed them to the United Artists record label. They also worked with another talented songwriter and producer, Jerry Ragovoy.

The Hit Song "Cry Baby"

This new team quickly found success. Their song "Cry Baby" became an instant hit. Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy wrote the song. Famous singers like Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, and Estelle Brown (known as the Gospelaires) sang backup vocals.

"Cry Baby" became number one on the R&B chart. It also reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963. The song sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.

More Success with The Enchanters

The group followed up "Cry Baby" with another hit, "For Your Precious Love." This was a cover of a song by Jerry Butler and the Impressions. It reached the Billboard Top 30 later that year. The other side of the record, "Baby Don't You Weep," also became a Top 30 hit.

Another popular song with the Enchanters was "A Quiet Place." This song became very popular in the Carolina beach music community. Many Reggae artists also adapted "Quiet Place." These included John Holt, The Paragons, Horace Andy, and Dennis Brown. Their reggae versions were known by different names, like "Man Next Door."

Garnet Mimms' Solo Career

In 1964, Garnet Mimms decided to start a solo career. Sam Bell took over as the lead singer for The Enchanters. The group then had a small hit with "I Wanna Thank You."

Mimms continued to record for United Artists. He had several smaller R&B hits over the next two years. These included "One Girl" and a cover of the Jarmels' "A Little Bit of Soap." Some of his songs from this time, like "It Was Easier to Hurt Her" and "As Long As I Have You," became popular in the British Northern soul music scene.

Later Hits and Albums

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

He moved to the Veep record label in 1966. He released several songs there, including "My Baby." This song was later recorded by Janis Joplin. In 1967, Mimms toured the UK with the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. An album called Garnet Mimms Live was recorded with a Scottish band called the Senate. This album was released in the UK in 1967.

Mimms continued to work with Ragovoy. In 1968, he started recording for Verve Records. From 1968 to 1969, the famous band Led Zeppelin performed a longer version of Mimms' song "As Long As I Have You" during their tours. Mimms' last recordings for a while were released on the GSF label in 1972.

Later Years and New Beginnings

In the late 1970s, Garnet Mimms released a few 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," produced by Randy Muller, reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1977.

Mimms later explained that he lost his passion for music after his father passed away in 1978. He felt that the music scene had changed too much with disco. He preferred singing ballads.

A New Calling

Mimms stopped his music career shortly after. He became a born-again Christian. In the 1980s, he found a new purpose. He became a minister and worked with prisoners through the New Jerusalem Prison Ministry. He later started the Bottom Line Revival Ministries, also helping prisoners.

In 2007, he returned to recording music. A year later, in 2008, he released a new album called Is Anybody Out There? on the Evidence label. Jon Tiven produced and mostly wrote the songs for this album. Music critics said the album was "retro soul-gospel" and very good. Tiven wrote songs for the album with other artists like Felix Cavaliere and Spooner Oldham.

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

Garnet Mimms' Chart Hits

Here are some of Garnet Mimms' songs that made it onto the music charts:

Note: * Billboard did not publish an R&B chart during some of these years.