Al Green Discography

• 
  Everything`s OK
  (2005)
• 
  I Can`t Stop
  (2003)
• 
  More Greatest Hits
  (1998)
• 
  Greatest Hits
  (1975)

Songs By

Tim Miner :: A. Jackson :: Al Jackson :: Al Jackson, Jr. :: Barrett Strong :: Curtis Rodgers :: David Ebensberger :: Earl Randle :: Mabon "Teenie" Hodges :: Mark Stitts :: Mike Stitts :: Norman Whitfield :: David Steel :: John Lennon :: Kris Kristofferson :: Robin Gibb :: W. Mitchell :: Barry Gibb :: Willie Nelson :: Paul McCartney

Member Of

The Creations

Influenced By

Otis Redding :: Sam Cooke

Followers

Corey Glover :: Daryl Hall :: Leela James :: Anita Baker :: DAngelo :: Marvin Sease :: Hall & Oates :: Nicolai Dunger :: Stephanie McKay :: Peabo Bryson :: Terence D`Arby :: Al B. Sure :: Luther Vandross :: Prince :: Jeb Loy Nichols :: Kenneth Edmonds :: Lyfe Jennings :: The Amazing Rhythm Aces :: Will Downing :: Lionel Richie

Similar Artists

Sam & Dave :: Rev. Claude Jeter :: Tyrone Davis :: Teddy Pendergrass :: Curtis Mayfield :: Isley Brothers :: Johnnie Taylor :: Marvin Gaye :: Barry White :: James Carr :: Donny Hathaway :: The Chi-Lites :: Wilson Pickett :: Rufus Thomas :: Arthur Conley :: Ann Peebles :: Aretha Franklin :: Harold Melvin :: Hi Rhythm :: Bobby Womack

Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas.[1] The son of a sharecropper, he started performing at age nine in a Forrest City quartet called the Greene Brothers; he dropped the final "e" from his last name years later as a solo artist. They toured extensively in the mid-1950s in the South until the Greenes moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, when they began to tour around Michigan. His father kicked him out of the group because he caught Al listening to Jackie Wilson.[citation needed]

Green formed a group called Al Greene & the Creations in high school. Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, two members of the Creations, formed an independent label called Hot Line Music Journal. In 1967, under the new name Al Greene & the Soul Mates, the band recorded "Back Up Train" and released it on Hot Line Music; the song was an R&B chart hit. The Soul Mates` subsequent singles did not sell as well. Al Greene`s debut LP was released on Hot Line in 1967 called "Back Up Train". The album was upbeat and soulful but didn`t do well in sales. This was the only album on the Hot Line label. Green came into contact with band leader Willie Mitchell of Memphis` Hi Records in 1969, when Mitchell hired him as a vocalist for a Texas show with Mitchell`s band and then asked him to sign with the label.


[edit] Rise to stardom
Mitchell predicted stardom for Green, coaching him to find his own, unique voice at a time when Green had previously been trying to sing like his heroes Jackie Wilson, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Sam Cooke. Green`s debut album with Hi Records was Green Is Blues, a slow, horn-driven album that allowed Green to show off his powerful and expressive voice, with Mitchell arranging, engineering and producing. The album was a moderate success. The next LP, Al Green Gets Next to You (1970), was a massive success that included four gold singles as Green developed his vocal and songwriting talents. Let`s Stay Together (1972) was an even bigger success, as was I`m Still In Love With You (1972). Call Me was a critical sensation and just as popular at the time; it is one of his most fondly remembered albums today. Al Green Explores Your Mind (1974) contained the song "Take Me to the River", later covered by the Talking Heads on their second album.


[edit] Return to Faith
On October 18, 1974, Mary Woodson, a longtime friend of Al Green, assaulted him, then killed herself. It is believed that she ardently wished to be more than just a friend to Al Green. One night, she left the guest quarters, then entered the main section of the house without permission. She sneaked into his bathroom to make a surprise attack. With no warning whatsoever, she threw a large pot of sticky boiling grits over him as he was undressed and preparing to shower. As Al Green writhed in pain, she ran into another part of the house and committed suicide by shooting herself.[citation needed]

Investigations found that Mary Woodson had committed this act of assault because she suffered a mental breakdown.[citation needed] Her mental instability caused her to interpret Al Green as having rejected her wish to discuss marriage with him, even though their relationship had never progressed past friendship.[citation needed] This assault from behind caused third-degree burns on his back, stomach and arms. Deeply shaken by the injuries, the nature of the assault and the loss of this friend who was very dear to him, Green continued to reaffirm and grow closer to hi