Sad to hear news that Willie Mitchell died today.

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.

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

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

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

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

I knew he had been un-well for a while, but still sad news all the same.

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

He was one of the greats.

Very Sad indeed - Excuse the pun but he was the "Champion of Instrumentalists"

Very Sad indeed - Excuse the pun but he was the "Champion of Instrumentalists"

A very sad day .

RIP Mr Mitchell .

Malc Burton

More Willie Mitchell / Royal Studios Perfection.

Sean

Was thinking of playing it anyway,

but now

"Secret Home"

will get a definite airing on Saturday

RIP

Tony

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

Having a bit of a Willie Mitchell tribute session.

Join in if you wanna.

Sean

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

Quite possibly the finest Soul record ever.

Willie Mitchell Magic.

Sean

very sad news. most of us were brought up on The Champion and That driving beat !! Rest in peace our friend

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

...everything´s gonna be alright

his music will live on with us!

So very Sad

R.I.P Willie

Very Sad , a great man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKe5kkbVuG4

yet more sad news

RIP

site note

both threads merged

VERY SAD NEWS INDEED R.I.P. WILLIE

Played "That Driving Beat" on New Years Eve------an all time classic.

Sad news indeed.

RIP

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

Another Faultless Royal Studios production on this Gem from Eddie McGee.

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).

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

I too had the WWW 'Memphis sessions' album. i bought it simply because Willie Mitchell was behind it. thanks for reminding us Malc

Ian

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

Very sad news - another of the greats who has played such a big part in our lives.

Manus

More Real Soul Perfection.

Jean Plum "Back To You".

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.

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

And my favourite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6OVlXriR8&feature=PlayList&p=5F16E5329B6C5535&index=41

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.

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

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

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

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.

one of my favourites:

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

R.I.P. Willie,true talent. Steve

Dear Willie..

You were my champion..

x

Edited January 5, 201015 yr by little-stevie

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

R.I.P. Willie.

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

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

RIP Willie. You have left us with such an incredible body of music to enjoy.

This is very sad news R.I.P. Willie I will be giving your tunes an airing saturday night.