Joe Hunter (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Hunter
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Edward Hunter |
| Born | November 19, 1927 Jackson, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | February 2, 2007 (aged 79) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul, pop, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Years active | c. 1950–2007 |
| Labels | Motown, and others |
| Associated acts | The Funk Brothers |
Joseph Edward Hunter (born November 19, 1927 – died February 2, 2007) was an American musician. He was a fantastic keyboard player. Joe Hunter was famous for playing with Motown Records' special studio band, The Funk Brothers. He was one of the first members of The Funk Brothers. From 1959 to 1964, he was even the band's leader! After he left Motown, another great musician named Earl Van Dyke took his place.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Joe Hunter was born in Jackson, Tennessee. His mother, Vada Idona Hunter, was a piano teacher. Because of her, Joe started playing the piano when he was very young.
When Joe was 11, his family moved to Detroit. Later, he joined the army. While serving, he played in a jazz band. He played alongside other talented musicians like pianist Dwike Mitchell and drummer Elvin Jones. Joe was inspired by the music of famous artists such as Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Nat King Cole. After his time in the army, he performed in jazz clubs around Detroit. He also toured with a group called The Midnighters.
Joining Motown and The Funk Brothers
In 1958, Joe Hunter was asked to join Motown Records. Motown was a brand new music company at the time. Joe became the leader of Motown's studio band, The Funk Brothers. He helped bring many amazing musicians into the group, including James Jamerson and later Earl Van Dyke.
During his time at Motown, Joe played on many of the label's biggest hit songs. These included:
- "Pride and Joy" by Marvin Gaye
- "Heat Wave" and "Come and Get These Memories" by Martha and the Vandellas
- "Do You Love Me" by The Contours
- "Way Over There" and "Shop Around" by The Miracles
Life After Motown
Joe Hunter left Motown in 1964. After leaving, he worked as a freelance musician and arranger. This meant he worked with many different artists and helped create their music. Even though he was only with Motown and The Funk Brothers for a short time, his keyboard playing was a huge part of the special "Motown Sound". He left a lasting impression on future Motown musicians, including superstar Stevie Wonder.
After Motown, Joe continued to produce and arrange music for various artists. He worked with record companies like Golden World and Fortune. He also worked with artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Junior Parker, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin, and others. He was also involved with Pied Piper Productions and worked with artists like Dennis Edwards, The Hesitations, Freddy Butler, and John Lee Hooker.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1996, Joe Hunter wrote a book about his life called Musicians, Motown, and Myself: The Dawn of a New Sound.
In 2002, The Funk Brothers, including Joe Hunter, were featured in a documentary film. The film was called Standing in the Shadows of Motown. It showed how important Motown's studio musicians were to the label's success. The music from the film won two Grammys. In 2004, The Funk Brothers received a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. From 2002 until 2007, several of the surviving Funk Brothers, including Joe, toured and performed together as a band.
In his later years, Joe Hunter continued to play music in the Detroit area. He passed away peacefully on February 2, 2007, at the age of 79. He is remembered by his son Joe Hunter Jr., his daughter, and his grandchildren.
