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Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 – June 9, 1993), born in Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield, Alabama

Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, Alabama, United States, and is included in The Shoals MSA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 9,652....
, was perhaps one of the biggest stars to arise out of the American country
Country music

Country music is a blend of popular American music forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in Traditional music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s....
 soul
Soul music

Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the African American culture through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, Secularity testifying." The genre occasion...
 scene. Jason Ankeny, music critic for Allmusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his contemporaries."

ing with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama

Florence is a city in and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, Alexander recorded his first single; "Sally Sue Brown" which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records
Judd Records

Judd Records was started by Jud Phillips, brother of Sun Records co-founder Sam Phillips. Early releases were mostly recorded in Nashville, Tennessee or Memphis, Tennessee, but carried an address of Memphis, New York and Florence, Alabama ....
.






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Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 – June 9, 1993), born in Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield, Alabama

Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, Alabama, United States, and is included in The Shoals MSA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 9,652....
, was perhaps one of the biggest stars to arise out of the American country
Country music

Country music is a blend of popular American music forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in Traditional music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s....
 soul
Soul music

Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the African American culture through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, Secularity testifying." The genre occasion...
 scene. Jason Ankeny, music critic for Allmusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his contemporaries."

Career

Working with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama

Florence is a city in and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, Alexander recorded his first single; "Sally Sue Brown" which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records
Judd Records

Judd Records was started by Jud Phillips, brother of Sun Records co-founder Sam Phillips. Early releases were mostly recorded in Nashville, Tennessee or Memphis, Tennessee, but carried an address of Memphis, New York and Florence, Alabama ....
. (Phillips is the brother of music pioneer Sam Phillips
Sam Phillips

Samuel Cornelius Phillips , better known as Sam Phillips, was an United States record producer who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s....
). A year later, Alexander cut "You Better Move On" at a former Tobacco Warehouse-turned-Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals. Released on Nashville's Dot Records
Dot Records

Dot Records was an United States record label and company that was active between 1950 in music and 1977 in music. It was founded by Randy Wood ....
, the song became a Soul/R&B chart hit, and laid the foundation for the modern recording studio FAME. "You Better Move On" is perhaps Alexander's best-known song, covered
Cover version

In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition of a previously recorded, commercially released song.In its current use, it can sometimes have a pejorative meaning — implying that the original recording should be regarded as the definitive version, usually in the sense of an "authentic" rendition, and all...
 by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock music band formed in 1962 in London when multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards....
, the Hollies
The Hollies

The Hollies are an England Pop music band from Manchester formed in the early 1960s. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style they became one of the leading British bands of the era, and they enjoyed considerable popularity in many other countries although they did not achieve major US chart success until the early 1970s....
, George Jones
George Jones

George Glenn Jones , is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
 & Johnny Paycheck
Johnny PayCheck

Johnny Paycheck was a country music singer. He is most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"....
 and Mink DeVille
Mink DeVille

Mink DeVille was a Rock music known for its association with early punk rock bands at New York City?s CBGB nightclub and for being a showcase for the music of Willy DeVille....
. "Anna (Go to Him)
Anna (Go to Him)

"Anna " is a song written and originally performed by Arthur Alexander. His version was released as a Single by Dot Records on September 17 1962....
", a U.S. R&B Top Ten Hit, was covered by The Beatles
The Beatles

The Beatles were a rock music and pop music band from Liverpool, England that formed in 1960. During their career, the group primarily consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr ....
 and Humble Pie
Humble Pie (band)

Humble Pie were a rock music, Hard rock and rhythm and blues band from United Kingdom and were one of the first Supergroup s from the 1970s, finding success in United States and United Kingdom....
. Another song covered by the Beatles was "Soldier of Love
Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)

"Soldier of Love " is a 1962 in music song, written by Buzz Cason and Tony Moon, originally recorded by country music artist Arthur Alexander, appearing as a B-side to his single "Where Have You Been"....
", which was also performed by Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw

Marshall Crenshaw is an United States singer, songwriter and guitarist. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Berkley, Michigan....
 and Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock music band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready ....
. "Set Me Free" (covered by Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips

Esther Phillips was an United States singer. Phillips was one of the great female rhythm and blues vocalists. She also performed in the popular music, country and western music, jazz, and soul music....
 and Joe Tex
Joe Tex

Joe Tex , was an United States soul music and disco singer-songwriter most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. His style of speaking over music, which he called 'rap music', made him a predecessor of the modern style of music....
) were also major hits and established Alexander as a pioneering arranger of others' tunes, as well as an established songwriter
Songwriter

File:Beethoven.jpgA songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer....
 in his own right. He switched to another label, Sound Stage 7 founded by Fred Foster
Fred Foster

Fred Luther Foster is an United States songwriter, record producer, and founder of Monument Records.Born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, he struggled to help look after his family when his father died....
, and although a 1972 album for Warner Brothers was promising, the singer's potential seemed to wither. He secured a pop hit with "Every Day I have to Cry" on Buddah Records
Buddah Records

Buddah Records was founded in 1967 by promotor Neil Bogart in New York City. It released a variety of music types, including bubblegum pop like the Ohio Express, the 1910 Fruitgum Company, solo performer writer-singer Melanie Safka, rhythm and blues artist Gladys Knight and the Pips, and rock and roller Captain Beefheart....
 1975, but the success remained shortlived.

For many years, Alexander was out of the music business; he was a bus driver for much of this time. He began to perform again in 1993 as renewed interest was shown in his small but important catalogue. His last album Lonely Just Like Me was his first in 21 years. He signed a new recording/publishing contract in May 1993 but suffered a fatal heart attack
Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when the Blood flow to part of the heart is interrupted. This is most commonly due to occlusion of a coronary artery following the rupture of a Vulnerable plaque, which is an unstable collection of lipids and white blood cells in the wall of an artery....
 the following month, three days after performing in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is the Capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County, Tennessee. It is the second most populous city in the state after Memphis, Tennessee....
 with his new band.

Legacy

Alexander deserves a special mention in pop and rock history for his particular influence, as indicated, on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. It is believed that John Lennon
John Lennon

John Winston Ono Lennon, Order of the British Empire was an English Rock music musician, singer, songwriter, artist, and peace activist who gained worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles....
, in particular, was heavily influenced in Alexander's singing style. The above-mentioned tracks such as "Anna", "You Better Move On" and "Soldier of Love", in particular, but maybe also "Go Home Girl" might confirm this artist's influence on the Beatles and his influence, if the listener needs further convincing after hearing "You Better Move On", recorded by the Rolling Stones. As further evidence of his influence, "Go Home Girl" was also recorded by the eclectic master Ry Cooder
Ry Cooder

Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer.He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in the American American folk music, and, more recently, for his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries....
 on his groundbreaking 1979 album Bop Till You Drop
Bop till You Drop

Bop till You Drop is Ry Cooder's ninth album, released in 1979 . This was the first major-label digitally recorded album. It was recorded on a 32-track machine built by the 3M Company....
.

Discography (USA issues except where noted)


Singles

  • "Sally Sue Brown/"The Girl That Radiates That Charm" Judd (1960)
  • "You Better Move On"/"A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" Dot (1961) London (UK) (1962)
  • "Soldier of Love (Lay Down Your Arms)"/"Where Have You Been All My Life" Dot (1962) London (UK) (1962)
  • "Anna"/"I Hang My Head And Cry" Dot (1962) London (UK) (1963)
  • "Go Home Girl"/"You're the Reason" Dot (1962) London (UK) (1963)
  • "Dream Girl"/"I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" Dot (1963)
  • "Baby, Baby"/"Pretty Girls Everywhere" Dot (1963)
  • "Where Did Sally Go"/"Keep Her Guessing" Dot (1963)
  • "Old John Amos"/"Black Night" Dot (1964) London (UK) (1964)
  • "Detroit City"/"You Don't Care" Dot (1965)
  • "Baby For You"/"The Other Woman (In My Life)" Sound Stage (1966) London (UK) (1966)
  • "Show Me The Road"/"Turn Around (And Try Me)" Sound Stage (1966)
  • "Love's Where Life Begins"/"Set Me Free" Sound Stage (1968)
  • "I Need You Baby"/"Spanish Harlem" Monument (1968)
  • "Bye Bye Love"/"Another Time, Another Place" Sound Stage (1968)
  • "Cry Like A Baby"/"Glory Road" Sound Stage (1969)
  • "I'm Coming Home"/"It Hurts To Want It So Bad" Warner Brothers (1972)
  • "Burning Love"/"It Hurts To Want It So Bad" Warner Brothers (1972)
  • "Mr John"/"You've Got Me Knockin'" Warner Brothers (1972)
  • "Lover Please"/"They'll Do It Every Time" Warner Brothers (1973)
  • "Every Day I Have To Cry Some"/"Everybody Needs Someone To Love" Buddah (1975) Buddah (UK) (1976)
  • "Sharing The Night Together"/"She'll Throw Stones At You" Buddah (1976) Buddah (UK) (1977)
  • "Hound Dog Man's Gone Home"/"So Long Baby" Music Mill (1977)


EPs

  • "Alexander The Great" (1963) London (UK)
  • "Arthur Alexander" (1963) London (UK)


Albums

LPs
  • You Better Move On (1962) Label: Dot & London (UK)
  • Arthur Alexander (1972) Label: Warner Brothers
  • Story Of Rock 'N' Roll (1977) Label: Ariola (Germany) (Reissue of "You Better Move On" LP)
CDs
  • You Better Move On (1993) Label: MCA (1994) MCA (UK) (Reissue of LP with bonus tracks)
  • Lonely Just Like Me (1993) Label: Nonesuch/Elektra
  • Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings (1994) Label: Warner Archives (Reissue of LP with bonus tracks)
  • Lonely Just Like Me: The Final Chapter (2007) Label: Hacktone (Reissue of CD with bonus tracks)


Compilation albums

LPs
  • Various Artists - Greatest Rhythm And Blues Stars (1965) Label: Guest Star (2 tracks by Arthur Alexander)
  • Carl Perkins - Sing A Song With Me (1979) Label: Koala (4 demos by Arthur Alexander)
  • A Shot Of Rhythm And Soul (1982) Label: Ace (UK)
  • Soldier Of Love (1987) Label: Ace (UK)
CDs
  • The Greatest (1989 & 2006) Label: Ace (UK)
  • The Ultimate Arthur Alexander (1993) Label: Razor & Tie
  • Jon Tiven's Ego Trip - Blue Guru (1996) Label: Fountainbleu (1 over-dubbed demo by Arthur Alexander)
  • Various Artists - Bill Haney's Atlanta Soul Brotherhood (1998) Label: Kent (UK) (1 track by Arthur Alexander)
  • Various Artists - Bill Haney's Atlanta Soul Brotherhood Vol 2 (1998) Label: Kent (UK) (1 track by Arthur Alexander)
  • The Monument Years (2001) Label: Ace (UK)


See also

  • Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
    Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

    The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in 1969 when musicians Barry Beckett , Roger Hawkins , Jimmy Johnson and David Hood left FAME Studios to create their own studio....
    , Muscle Shoals, Alabama
    Muscle Shoals, Alabama

    Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846....
  • Soul Music
    Soul music

    Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the African American culture through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, Secularity testifying." The genre occasion...
  • Country Music
    Country music

    Country music is a blend of popular American music forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in Traditional music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s....


External links