Terry Callier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terry Callier
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Callier in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Terrence Orlando Callier |
| Born | May 24, 1945 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died | October 27, 2012 (aged 67) Chicago, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, computer programmer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1962–1983, 1991–2012 |
Terrence Orlando "Terry" Callier (born May 24, 1945 – died October 27, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for mixing soul, folk, and jazz styles in his music.
Contents
Terry Callier's Early Life and Music Journey
Terry Callier was born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Cabrini–Green area. From a young age, he learned to play the piano. He was friends with famous musicians like Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler.
Starting His Music Career
As a teenager, Terry began singing in doo-wop groups. In 1962, he had an audition at Chess Records and recorded his first song, "Look at Me Now." While attending college, he also performed in folk clubs in Chicago. He was greatly inspired by the jazz musician John Coltrane. For a short time, he even performed with David Crosby in Chicago and New York City.
First Albums and Songwriting Success
In 1964, Terry met Samuel Charters from Prestige Records. His first album, The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier, was released in 1968. Other bands also recorded his songs. For example, the band H. P. Lovecraft recorded "Spin, Spin, Spin" and "It's About Time" in 1968.
In 1970, Terry joined the Chicago Songwriters Workshop. He and his partner Larry Wade wrote songs for labels like Chess and Cadet. One of their songs, "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind," became a hit for The Dells in 1972. This success helped Terry get his own recording contract with Cadet.
Critically Acclaimed Albums
Terry released three albums with Cadet Records: Occasional Rain (1972), What Color Is Love (1972), and I Just Can't Help Myself (1973). These albums were praised by music critics. They showed how Terry blended soul, jazz, funk, and even classical music in his songs. He also toured with famous artists like George Benson.
After Cadet Records was sold in 1976, Terry left the label.
New Record Deals and a Hit Song
In 1977, Terry signed with Elektra Records. He released two more albums: Fire On Ice (1977) and Turn You to Love (1978). The song "Sign Of The Times" from Turn You to Love became very popular. It was used as a theme song for a radio DJ and reached No. 78 on the R&B chart in 1979. This led to him performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Terry Callier's Break and Return to Music
Terry continued to perform until 1983. At that time, he decided to take a break from music to raise his daughter. He went back to college to study computer programming and sociology. He then got a job at the University of Chicago.
Rediscovery and Comeback
In the late 1980s, British DJs started playing Terry's old songs in clubs. This made his music popular again. A record label called Acid Jazz Records re-released one of his songs, "I Don't Want to See Myself (Without You)." From 1991, Terry began to travel to Britain during his vacations to perform.
In the late 1990s, Terry started recording new music again. He worked with groups like Urban Species and Beth Orton. In 1998, he released the album Timepeace. This album won the United Nations' Time For Peace award for its artistic achievement and contribution to world peace. His co-workers at the University of Chicago didn't know he was a musician until he won this award. After the news spread, he left his job at the University.
Later Career and Legacy
Terry Callier continued to tour around the world and release new albums. Some of his later albums include Lifetime (1999), Alive (2001), and Speak Your Peace (2002), which featured Paul Weller. His 2009 album, Hidden Conversations, included the group Massive Attack.
Terry also contributed to charity albums. In 2001, he sang "Satin Doll" for the Red Hot + Indigo album, which honored Duke Ellington and raised money for AIDS awareness.
Terry Callier passed away from cancer on October 27, 2012, at the age of 67. His unique blend of folk, soul, and jazz music continues to inspire many artists and listeners.
Terry Callier's Music Albums
Studio Albums
- The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (Prestige, 1968)
- Occasional Rain (Cadet, 1972)
- What Color Is Love (Cadet, 1972)
- I Just Can't Help Myself (Cadet, 1973)
- Fire on Ice (Elektra, 1978)
- Turn You to Love (Elektra, 1979)
- Time Peace (Verve Forecast/Talkin' Loud/PolyGram, 1998)
- Lifetime (Blue Thumb/Talkin' Loud, 1999)
- Speak Your Peace (Mr Bongo, 2002)
- Lookin' Out (Mr Bongo, 2004)
- Hidden Conversations (Mr Bongo, 2009)
Live Albums
- TC in DC (Premonition, 1996) recorded live in Washington D.C. 1982
- Live at Mother Blues, 1964 (Premonition, 2000) recorded live in Chicago 1964
- Alive (Mr Bongo, 2001) recorded live in London 2000
- Welcome Home (Mr Bongo, 2008) recorded live in London 2008
Singles (Popular Songs)
- "Look at Me Now" (Chess, 1962)
- "I Just Can't Help Myself" (Cadet, 1973)
- "Sign of the Times" (Elektra, 1979)
- "I Don't Want to See Myself (Without You)" (Erect, 1982; reissued on Acid Jazz, 1990 & 2006)
- "Brother to Brother" – Terry Callier with Paul Weller (Mr Bongo 2002)
- "Live with Me" – Massive Attack with Terry Callier (Virgin, 2006)
DVDs and Videos
- Terry Callier – Live in Berlin (Universal Music, 2005)
Other Appearances
Terry Callier also lent his voice to songs by other artists and groups:
- Vocals on The Juju Orchestra's – "What Is Hip" (2007)
- Vocals on Massive Attack's "Live with Me" (2006)
- Vocals on Nujabes's "Modal Soul" (2005)
- Vocals on Koop's "In a Heartbeat" (2001)
- Vocals on Zero 7's "Simple Things"(2001)
- Vocals on Beth Orton's Central Reservation (1999)
- His song "You Goin' Miss Your Candyman" was featured in the French movie, Intouchables.
See also
In Spanish: Terry Callier para niños
