RIP Willie Mitchell

[trane_fanatic]

http://www.offbeat.com/2010/01/05/willie-mitchell-legendary-producer-at-hi-records-royal-studio-memphis-passes-away/

Willie Mitchell Legendary Producer at Hi Records & Royal Studio, Memphis Passes Away

05 January 2010 — by Ben Berman

Willie Mitchell, a towering figure in soul and R&B music passed away this morning at the age of 81. USA Today reports that passed at 7:25am Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Born in 1928 in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell spent almost his entire life in Memphis, and had a large hand in making the city one of the capitals of soul music. He is most famous for his career as artist and producer at Memphis’ Hi Records, for whom he produced all of Al Green’s classic albums from the late ’60s through late ’70s. He was co-owner of the Hi Records label from 1970-1979, and owner of Royal Recording Studios in Memphis, where had continued to produce music until suffering a cardiac arrest in December, 2009.

In addition to his production for Al Green, he also worked on records by Rod Stewart, Keith Richards, Bob Seger, Paul Butterfield, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, John Mayer, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy McCracklin, and many more.

Edited January 5, 2010 by trane_fanatic

[CJ Shearn]

damn, RIP

[Noj]

Listening to Willie Mitchell's cover of "Groovin'" by The Rascals and a bunch of Hi Records stuff in his honor. RIP.

[GA Russell]

RIP. 20-75 was one of my favorites in 1964. I played it just the other day. I'll listen to it again tonight.

[John L]

A giant of American music, indeed. RIP

[jeffcrom]

Mitchell's production work for Hi Records was masterful. "I Can't Stand the Rain" by Ann Peebles (99 Pounds of Soul!) and "Here I Am" by Al Green are great songs, but Mitchell made them great records. And of course, he produced the masterpiece (in my opinion) of the whole Hi catalog: Al Green's "Love and Happiness" - four and a half minutes of brilliance by Green, Mitchell, guitarist Teenie Hodges, and the Hi rhythm section. RIP, Mr. Mitchell.