Willie Mitchell (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Mitchell
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Mitchell in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Lawrence Mitchell |
| Born | March 1, 1928 Ashland, Mississippi, U.S |
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 5, 2010 (aged 81) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, rock and roll, pop, funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, bandleader, record producer, arranger |
| Instruments | Vocals, trumpet |
| Labels | Hi Records |
Willie Mitchell (born March 1, 1928 – died January 5, 2010) was an amazing American musician. He played the trumpet and led bands. Willie was also a very important record producer and arranger. He helped create the sound of many famous songs.
Willie ran Royal Studios in Memphis. He was best known for his work with Hi Records in the 1970s. This record label released music by many popular Memphis soul artists. These included Willie Mitchell himself, Al Green, O. V. Wright, Syl Johnson, and Ann Peebles.
Contents
Willie Mitchell's Life Story
Willie Mitchell was born and grew up in Ashland, Mississippi. When he was in high school, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He went to Rust College.
Willie started playing the trumpet when he was only eight years old. In high school, he was a star player in popular local big bands. Later, he started his own music group. Famous musicians like Booker Little and George Coleman sometimes played with his band.
Starting in the Music Business
Willie Mitchell first worked as a producer for the Home of the Blues record label. After that, he joined Hi Records. He worked there as both a recording artist and a producer.
At the recording studio, people called him "Papa Willie." He got this nickname because he took charge of Hi Records in 1970. He led the company through its most successful time ever.
Willie Mitchell's music productions were known for a strong, deep bass drum sound. This sound was often played by the talented Memphis drummer Al Jackson, Jr. from the band Booker T. & the M.G.'s.
Willie as a Performer
Willie Mitchell was also a trumpeter and bandleader himself. He released several popular songs for Hi Records in the 1960s. One of his well-known songs was "Soul Serenade." This song reached number 43 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1968.
Later Years and Collaborations
In the 1980s, Willie Mitchell ran his own record company called Waylo Records. Artists like Billy Always and Lynn White released music on his label.
In 1987, singer Joyce Cobb recorded several songs for Waylo. One of her songs, "Another Lonely Night (Without You)," reached number 3 on the British R&B chart. Also in 1987, Willie worked on an album for the band Wet Wet Wet. This album was released in 1988 as The Memphis Sessions.
Willie Mitchell and Al Green worked together again in 2003. They had not recorded together since 1985. Their new album was called I Can't Stop. They followed this up with another album in 2005, called Everything's OK.
Willie Mitchell passed away in Memphis on January 5, 2010. He died from a heart attack. His very last work was producing the album Nothing's Impossible for Solomon Burke. This album came out in June 2010.
Willie Mitchell's Albums
Here are some of the albums Willie Mitchell released:
- 1963: Sunrise Serenade
- 1964: 20-75
- 1964: Hold It
- 1965: It's Dance Time
- 1966: It's What's Happenin'
- 1966: The Hit Sound Of Willie Mitchell
- 1967: Ooh Baby, You Turn Me On
- 1968: Willie Mitchell Live at the Royal
- 1968: Soul Serenade
- 1969: On Top
- 1969: Solid Soul
- 1969: Soul Bag
- 1970: Robbin's Nest
- 1970: The Many Moods of Willie Mitchell
- 1971: Listen Dance
- 1977: Willie Mitchell Live
- 1981: Willie Willie Willie
- 1986: That Driving Beat
- 2001: Poppa Willie The Hi Years / 1962-74
- 2003: Walkin' With Willie
