(Vocals, songwriter, actor, 1938–99) Axton’s mother, Mae Boren Axton, co-wrote ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, and Hoyt himself enjoyed his greatest success through other artist’s covers of his songs – ‘Greenback Dollar’ (Kingston Trio), ‘Joy To The World’ (Three Dog Night) and ‘The Pusher’ (Steppenwolf). Popular in the UK through his 1979 singles ‘Della And The Dealer’ and ‘A ...
(Various saxophones and clarinets, flute, piano, b. 1945) ‘I’ve been isolated and kicked out of jazz as a black man who is not “black” enough, a jazz guy who is not “jazz” enough,’ said Chicago native Braxton, looking back on a highly iconoclastic career that has been documented on more than 130 recordings. After military ...
(Vocals, b. 1968) Initially singing with her sisters as The Braxtons, she was signed as a solo artist to La Face productions (L.A. Reid and Babyface) in 1991. This production/writing team crafted her eponymous debut (1993). At ease with soul vocals and the rhythms of R&B, the attractive Braxton was soon scoring hits with emotive ballads like ...
(Vocals, songwriter, b. 1941) The archetypal Texas troubadour, Clark cannot be called prolific, having released about 10 original albums since his 1975 debut, Old No. 1. Born in Monahans, West Texas, Clark worked in television, as a photographer and building boats and guitars. Influenced by bluesman Mance Lipscomb, he worked the Texas ...
(Vocals, b. 1947) The daughter of songwriter Liz Anderson (b. 1930, whose hits included ‘All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers’ and ‘The Fugitive’ for Merle Haggard), Anderson enjoyed success in equestrian competitions during the mid-1960s before turning to music. After a dozen hits on Chart Records, she signed to Columbia (1970–80), where she quickly achieved her million-selling ...
James Joseph McGuinn (b. 1942) was raised in Chicago and became a fan of folk music as a teenager. He asked for and received a guitar from his parents after hearing Elvis’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. In 1957, McGuinn entered Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, where he studied five-string banjo and guitar. McGuinn’s skills and solo performances attracted the ...
Waylon Jennings (vocals, guitar, 1937–2002) was a teenage disc jockey in Lubbock, Texas, when he first met the hometown hero Buddy Holly (1936–59). Holly produced Jennings’ first single, ‘Jole Blon’, in September 1958, and hired Jennings as his bassist the following January. On 3 February 1959, Jennings was all set to take a charter ...
(Founder, Stax Records, b. 1930) Stewart founded Memphis-based Stax Records in 1957 with his sister, Estelle Axton. Local musicians became the house band, Booker T. And The M.G.s. Their backing on many recordings defined the gritty Southern Soul sound. An early hit by Carla Thomas attracted Atlantic, who took options on all Stax releases ...
The story of soul’s Golden Age is linked with the story of two American record labels: Berry Gordy’s Motown and Jim Stewart & Estelle Axton’s Stax. They discovered artists, wrote songs and developed recording and marketing methods that would irrevocably change popular music, and have a profound effect on the perception of race all over world. Motown’s base in ...
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An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
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Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.
David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
his life, music, art and movies, with a
sweep of incredible photographs.