There are 2 “twin tower” record labels of Memphis Soul and R&B – STAX & Hi Records. Willie Mitchell was central to the great success of Hi Records as band leader (a fine trumpet player in his own right), producer, composer, arranger, talent scout and engineer for so many classic records. The artist most often mentioned in conjunction with Mitchell is the Al Green, but there is also Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, O.V. Wright and Syl Johnson. His other critical achievement was the organization of what is called the great Hi Rhythm section of the Hodges brothers; Teenie on guitar, Charles on organ and Leroy on bass and Howard Grimes on drums. The influence of this amazing musical unit, so soulful and powerful, permeated the essential sound of so many of these timeless records. I had the profound pleasure of sitting on stage behind Teenie, his brothers and Howard as they backed Otis Clay at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans this past year (2009), a vivid memory that will be with me forever.
Teddy Pendergrass was the big man with the BIG voice in the Philly Soul standard bearers group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. Pendergrass emerged as the greatest interpreter of the '70s "Philly Soul" sound created by the writing-production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff with such classics as “Don’t Leave me this Way,” “Bad Luck,” “I Miss You” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” He was suave and handsome (nick named “Teddy Bear” by his lady fans) with a powerful, sexy and silky voice that was one of the great sounds of 70’s soul. His career essentially ended following a spinal cord injury in an auto accident in 1982. Subsequent to his accident he devoted himself to a variety of philanthropic activities that you can read about on www.teddypendergrass.com.
God Bless both of these great giants of American Music
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