René Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
René Hall
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | René Joseph Hall |
| Born | September 26, 1912 Morgan City, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 11, 1988 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Associated acts | |
René Joseph Hall (born September 26, 1912 – died February 11, 1988) was an American guitarist and music arranger. He was a very important person working behind the scenes in early rock and roll music. His long career lasted from the late 1920s to the late 1980s. During this time, he worked in many different music styles.
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Who Was René Hall?
René Hall was born in Morgan City, Louisiana. He first recorded music in 1933. Back then, he played the banjo with a musician named Joseph Robichaux in New Orleans.
He then traveled around the country. He was a member of the Ernie Fields Orchestra. This is where he made his first recordings. In the group, people called him Lightnin'.
Later, he joined Earl Hines as a music arranger. An arranger helps decide which instruments play what parts in a song. During the 1940s, René Hall became a well-known session musician in New York City. A session musician plays on recordings for many different artists.
In the late 1940s, he started his own music group called a sextet. They recorded for labels like Jubilee, Decca, and RCA. He also worked as a talent scout for King Records. A talent scout finds new musical artists. He discovered groups like Billy Ward and the Dominoes.
Moving to Los Angeles
In the mid-1950s, Hall moved to Los Angeles, California. He started doing more session work there. He often played with saxophone player Plas Johnson and drummer Earl Palmer. This trio recorded for many new rock and roll and R&B artists. They worked with labels such as Aladdin, Rendezvous, and Specialty Records.
In 1958, René Hall started using a special Danelectro 6-string bass guitar. He used it to add to the sound of the regular standup bass. He did this on recordings with Ritchie Valens and other artists. Many other arrangers around the world copied this new idea.
Hall's Influence on West Coast Music
From the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, René Hall was very important on the West Coast music scene. He helped create many famous studio groups. These included B. Bumble & The Stingers with their hit song "Nut Rocker". He also worked with the surf-rock group The Marketts on "Surfer’s Stomp". Another group was The Routers known for “Let’s Go”.
Hall, Palmer, and Johnson played on these songs. But then, young white groups would perform the songs on tour. René Hall also helped his old boss, Ernie Fields, get a rock hit. It was a version of the big band song "In The Mood". This song reached #4 on the Billboard charts in 1959.
Hall, Palmer, and Johnson did not want to release the song under their own names. They also did not want to tour. So, they gave the song to Ernie Fields. Fields then joined them in the studio for another hit song.
Working with Famous Artists
René Hall arranged Ike & Tina Turner's 1963 album Don't Play Me Cheap. He also arranged some of Sam Cooke's most famous songs. One of these was the 1964 song, "A Change Is Gonna Come". For this song, Hall created a dramatic arrangement. It had a big orchestral opening with strings, kettledrums, and French horns.
He also prepared arrangements for many other successful artists. These included The Impressions and Marvin Gaye. René Hall also played guitar on Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On". He did a lot of work for Bobby Womack too.
René Hall passed away from heart disease in Los Angeles, California. He was 75 years old.
René Hall's Music
Singles He Released
- 1952: René Hall – "Let's Turn The Lights Down Low" / "Must I" (RCA Victor 4881)
- 1957: René Hall's Orchestra Featuring Willie Joe / René Hall's Orchestra – "Twitchy" / "Flippin'" (Specialty 618)
- 1958: René Hall's Orchestra – "Saints Go Marchin' In" / "Thunderbird" (Specialty 629)
- 1958: René Hall's Orchestra – "Frankie And Johnny" / "Cleo" (Specialty 641)
- 1959: René Hall – "Smitty's Toy Piano" / "South Gate" (Arvee A 580)
- 1959: René Hall And His Guitars – "Moritat" / "Adalene" (Rendezvous No. 107)
- 1959: The Skunks And Rene Hall / Rene Hall – "Smitty's Xmas Toy Piano" / "Smitty's Toy Piano" (Arvee A 585)
- 1960: René Hall Orchestra – "La Cubalibra" / "The Untouchables" (Del-Fi 4135)
- René Hall Orchestra – "Night Fright" / "Turf" (Castil 101)
Albums He Worked On
- Twistin' the Night Away - Sam Cooke (1962)
- Night Beat - Sam Cooke (1963)
- Ain't That Good News - Sam Cooke (1964)
- All I Really Want to Do - Cher (1965)
- Venice Blue - Bobby Darin (1965)
