Henry Glover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Glover
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Henry Bernard Glover |
| Born | May 21, 1921 Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 7, 1991 (aged 69) St. Albans, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, arranger, record producer, trumpeter |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
| Years active | Late 1940s–1991 |
| Associated acts | Bull Moose Jackson |
Henry Bernard Glover (born May 21, 1921 – died April 7, 1991) was an American music genius. He was a talented songwriter, arranger, record producer, and trumpet player. Henry Glover was one of the most successful and important Black executives in the music world during his time.
He became famous in the late 1940s. He worked mostly for an independent record company called King Records. At King, he did many jobs. He was a producer, arranger, songwriter, and even an audio engineer. He also played the trumpet, found new talent, and helped build recording studios. Later in his career, he even started his own record label.
Glover worked with many types of music. These included country, blues, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz. His hard work helped King Records become one of the biggest independent music labels.
In 2021, his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, celebrated his 100th birthday. They added him to the "Walk of Fame." The mayor also gave him a "Key to the City." A parklet along Black Broadway was named "Henry Glover Way" in his honor. In 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This was part of the King Records 75th Anniversary. He was also added to the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.
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Henry Glover's Music Journey
Henry Glover was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. As a young boy, he loved listening to different kinds of music on the radio. He also learned to play the trumpet. After finishing school, he joined a big band led by Buddy Johnson in 1944. The next year, he joined Lucky Millinder's orchestra.
While working with Lucky Millinder, Glover met Syd Nathan. Nathan hired Glover to work at King Records. Glover's job was to be an A&R man. This meant he found new artists and helped them record music. He also helped build King's first recording studio.
Producing Hits at King Records
Henry Glover produced music for many country musicians at King Records. Some of these artists included The Delmore Brothers and Cowboy Copas. He even helped write "Blues Stay Away from Me" with the Delmore Brothers.
Glover also helped Bull Moose Jackson record a song called "The Honeydripper" in 1945. This song became very popular with Black audiences. He produced more successful songs on King's smaller label, Queen Records.
In 1947, Queen Records joined with King Records. This brought different music styles and artists together. Glover understood jump blues and rhythm and blues music very well. He helped sign artists like Lucky Millinder and Tiny Bradshaw. He also produced music for Bill Doggett and Wynonie Harris. Later, he worked with famous artists like Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, and James Brown. Henry Glover wrote the song "Drown in My Own Tears". It was first sung by Lula Reed. Later, Ray Charles made it a huge hit.
New Adventures in Music
Henry Glover left King Records in 1958. He then joined a record company called Roulette. There, he worked with famous singers like Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington. He also worked with Sonny Stitt and Ronnie Hawkins. Glover even helped Ronnie Hawkins's band, the Hawks, reach their dreams. He helped them release an early song when they were called The Canadian Squires. This band later became very famous as The Band.
In 1960, Billy Bland recorded "Let the Little Girl Dance" with Glover. This song became a big hit in the U.S. It reached number 11 on the Black Singles chart and number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1961, Glover became the head of artists and repertoire for Gee Records. This was a part of Roulette Records. His first song release was "Heart and Soul" in 1961. This new version of an old song became very popular. It reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also featured in the movie American Graffiti.
Glover had more success in 1961. He helped write "Peppermint Twist" for Joey Dee & the Starliters. This song became a number one hit! Two years later, The Rivieras recorded Glover's song "California Sun". It became a Top 5 hit. Glover also worked with Louisiana Red in the early 1960s. For a short time, he even had his own record label. He recorded artists like Larry Dale and Titus Turner on his label. He also produced music for The Essex in 1963 and 1964.
Later, Henry Glover went back to King Records. He was in charge of the label for a short time. Then, another company called Starday bought King Records.
Later Achievements and Awards
In 1975, Henry Glover and Levon Helm started a new record label called RCO Productions. They released two of Helm's solo music projects. That same year, Glover produced The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album. This album won a Grammy! The next year, he produced Put It in Your Ear for Paul Butterfield. Also in 1976, Glover helped arrange the horn section for The Band's concert, The Last Waltz. This concert later became a famous album.
In 1986, Henry Glover was honored. He was added to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Henry Glover's Passing
Henry Glover passed away from a heart attack in April 1991. He was 69 years old. He died in St. Albans, New York. He was survived by his wife, Doris, and his three children, Ware, Sherry, and Leslie.
