January 5, 201015 yr Sad to hear news that Willie Mitchell died today. Cannot believe it, just a day after we had that excellent discussion about AL GREEN yesterday. I had a great evening playing all those early sides they cut too. It's great being a member of this site but it does also constantly remind you of the reality of our own age group - peers pass away - and those who are slightly older who we admire and cherish are passing constantly. Another great Soul innovator gone but not forgotten. RIP.
January 5, 201015 yr I really loved and still love those Al Green, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson records, they are from a period before I discovered Northern and the Hi sound was always my favourite. Needless to say The Champion was my favourite record for a long time in 1976, I still love it. RIP Willie Mitchell
January 5, 201015 yr I got an email from Red Kelly earlier today informing me of the sad news It is my sad duty to inform you that our friend (and hero) Willie Mitchell passed this morning at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. He had been on life-support for several weeks. Memphis will never be the same... I'll let you know funeral arrangements as soon as I get them. Thanks. red kelly
January 5, 201015 yr So sorry to hear this. Two days after his 82nd Birthday. Far and away my most loved Producer / Arranger and the talent behind so many of my personal all time favourite records. Papa Willie, I thank you and salute you. RIP Sean
January 5, 201015 yr Papa Willie Rest In Peace We regret to report that music pioneer Willie Mitchell died this morning at b7;25 in Memphis Methodist Medical Center Born and raised in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell moved to Memphis when he was in high school. He attended Rust College. At the age of eight, he began to play the trumpet. While in high school, he was a featured player in popular local big bands. He later formed his own combo, which from time to time included musicians such as saxophonists Booker Little, Charles Lloyd, and George Coleman, and pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr Mitchell landed a job with the Home of the Blues record label as a producer, then left to join Hi Records as both a recording artist and a producer. Known at the recording studio as "Papa Willie," Mitchell earned his nickname by taking over the reins of Hi Records in 1970 and guiding it through its most successful period. Mitchell's productions have been much noted for featuring a hard-hitting kick drum sound (usually played by pioneering Memphis drummer Al Jackson, Jr. of Booker T. and the MG's). A trumpeter and bandleader in his own right, Mitchell released a number of popular singles for Hi Records as an artist in the 1960s, including "Soul Serenade." He and Al Green revived their successful recording partnership in 2003 when Green recorded I Can't Stop, his first collaboration with Mitchell since 1985's He is the Light. Their 2005 follow-up project was Everything's OK. Additional Information When Made Available
January 5, 201015 yr Extremely Sad News. Always Loved "That Driving Beat", "Secret Home" From First Hearing To Present Day. An Amazing Artist, His Music Will Be There Forever. R.I.P. Willie Mitchell WILLIE MITCHELL - THAT DRIVING BEAT - HI Soundclip from Refosoul Archive
January 5, 201015 yr Very Sad indeed - Excuse the pun but he was the "Champion of Instrumentalists" A very sad day . RIP Mr Mitchell . Malc Burton
January 5, 201015 yr Was thinking of playing it anyway, but now "Secret Home" will get a definite airing on Saturday RIP Tony
January 5, 201015 yr while those around me played the Champion at THE P'BORO ALL-NIGHTEr I prefered to play "who's making love" An R&B Icon
January 5, 201015 yr One of the most creative of talents, he will be sadly missed. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at the Hi studio several years ago and he was gracious, modest, very welcoming and amazingly informative. RIP
January 5, 201015 yr very sad news. most of us were brought up on The Champion and That driving beat !! Rest in peace our friend
January 5, 201015 yr Extremely Sad News. Always Loved "That Driving Beat", "Secret Home" From First Hearing To Present Day. An Amazing Artist, His Music Will Be There Forever. R.I.P. Willie Mitchell WILLIE MITCHELL - THAT DRIVING BEAT - HI Soundclip from Refosoul Archive Driving beat will forever be getting plays from me. Just all time classic hard driving RnB at it's best!! RIP Willie
January 5, 201015 yr Played "That Driving Beat" on New Years Eve------an all time classic. Sad news indeed. RIP
January 5, 201015 yr VERY SAD NEWS INDEED R.I.P. WILLIE Listen without predudice ....... As we know , Willie Mitchell was a producer and musician who always managed to get the best out of a performer ...... soul orientated or not , with not being case with the pop band Wet Wet Wet , and his producing of their " Memphis Sessions " album . Forget who it is , and imagine Al Green doing this ..... Malc Burton Edited January 5, 201015 yr by Malc Burton
January 5, 201015 yr Listen without predudice ....... As we know , Willie Mitchell was a producer and musician who always managed to get the best out of a performer ...... soul orientated or not , with not being case with the pop band Wet Wet Wet , and his producing of their " Memphis Sessions " album . Forget who it is , and imagine Al Green doing this ..... Malc Burton Remember hearing this in the 80's and being pretty gobsmacked as not a great fan of "WWW"...just shows what he could get from an artist. RIP Willie Mitchell, one of the giants. (What a sad start to the year).
January 5, 201015 yr Remember hearing this in the 80's and being pretty gobsmacked as not a great fan of "WWW"...just shows what he could get from an artist. RIP Willie Mitchell, one of the giants. (What a sad start to the year). Another one bearing the WM production magic ..... Malc Burton Edited January 5, 201015 yr by Malc Burton
January 5, 201015 yr I too had the WWW 'Memphis sessions' album. i bought it simply because Willie Mitchell was behind it. thanks for reminding us Malc Ian
January 5, 201015 yr As is often the case, a truly great man, who appeared to be totally unassuming. Rest in peace Mr. Mitchell. Edited January 5, 201015 yr by mrs norman maine
January 5, 201015 yr Very sad news - another of the greats who has played such a big part in our lives. Manus
January 5, 201015 yr really sad to hear this news, without doubt one of my favourite artists, one of my top sounds from back in the day would be his version of "who`s making love" would be good to hear this get played on todays scene. R.I.P.
January 5, 201015 yr More Real Soul Perfection. Jean Plum "Back To You". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSw3BxMV_SU&feature=PlayList&p=5F16E5329B6C5535&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=52 Very sad news mate, a true giant in a world too often populated by the mediocre. I have a great memory of seeing him on stage at the Waylo tour in the 90s. I was shouting to him 'Willie you're a legend' he was
January 5, 201015 yr And my favourite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6OVlXriR8&feature=PlayList&p=5F16E5329B6C5535&index=41
January 5, 201015 yr More from Jean Plum, this time with "Look At The Boy". A record that we've loved since its initial release, now enjoying a new lease of life in Clubs throughout the UK.
January 5, 201015 yr Very sad news mate, a true giant in a world too often populated by the mediocre. I have a great memory of seeing him on stage at the Waylo tour in the 90s. I was shouting to him 'Willie you're a legend' he was Late 80's mate wasn't it... (would you believe?). We got backstage with him and Otis Clay, Ann Peebles etc. Will have to dig out the photos. Met him twice. A Perfect Gentleman. We went to see him last year in Memphis. His old van was in the yard, but he didn't come to the door, I'm sorry to say. He contracted Pneumonia after going into hospital for a Hip replacement. Never fully recovered. But Legend is the word mate. Sean
January 5, 201015 yr Here's an absolute Gem, from Quiet Elegance. "I'm Afraid Of Losing You" Just cooks and bubbles along like only Papa Willie Mitchell knew how! Beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbZqa1k_-M
January 5, 201015 yr Always loved this beauty from Ann Peebles! I'm sure that you will too. If not, I'll give you your money back. Willie Mitchell - Soul Perfection! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcdFqQ0XeY
January 5, 201015 yr Sad news indeed . Back in 1966 it was records like Mercy , That driving beat and Everything is gonna be alright that got me hooked on what was just refered to as soul music back then.
January 5, 201015 yr ABSOLUTELY IRREPLACEABLE, MANY THANKS TO THE MAN FOR GIVING US ALL THOSE FANTASTIC TUNES, GOD BLESS . ALSO THANKS GANG FOR POSTING THEM.. MADE MY NIGHT BRI PINCH. Edited January 5, 201015 yr by bri pinch
January 5, 201015 yr Dear Willie.. You were my champion.. x Edited January 5, 201015 yr by little-stevie
January 5, 201015 yr Late 80's mate wasn't it... (would you believe?). We got backstage with him and Otis Clay, Ann Peebles etc. Will have to dig out the photos. Met him twice. A Perfect Gentleman. We went to see him last year in Memphis. His old van was in the yard, but he didn't come to the door, I'm sorry to say. He contracted Pneumonia after going into hospital for a Hip replacement. Never fully recovered. But Legend is the word mate. Sean Will make those sleeve notes even more poignant now mate. RIP Willie...... Ian D
January 6, 201015 yr So so sad a true legend has gone Saw my first WM LP tucked under a cool dude's arm at a youth club back in '68, cool dude was 19/20 name unknown. Thought to myself "why's he wanna Herb Albert type album?" this isn't cool. Luckily myself & Jeff Vaughan were running the music console at this particular YC and the "cool dude" finally asked us to play it. "Which track" says I all 15 & cocksure "Oh any" came the reply......................... the rest is my own soul history Gr8 gr8 musician, writer,producer,arranger which he doesn't always get credit for - most just remember his own releases Well done those who've posted WM productions etc RIP Willie - see you in 20-75 with Buster Browne
January 6, 201015 yr R.I.P. Willie ...... stompin to your tunes this weekend as ever.....your music and memory will live on......God bless .. pete n' susan KTF
January 6, 201015 yr This is very sad news R.I.P. Willie I will be giving your tunes an airing saturday night.
Sean Hampsey 12 posts
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Sad to hear news that Willie Mitchell died today.