I’m thankful for every moment.
~Al GreenThe music is the message, the message is the music. So that’s my little ministry that the Big Man upstairs gave to me – a little ministry called love and happiness.
~Al GreenIf Al decides to turn into Otis Redding after all, we may look back at this repackaging of his earliest recordings as the beginning of a great stylist. If he decides to turn into Diana Ross, as seems at least possible, we will forget it quickly enough.
~Robert Christgau (in 1972 – review of “Al Green” album)
Let’s Stay Together (Live 1972):
President Obama:
Wikipedia:
| Birth name | Albert Greene |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Reverend Al Green |
| Born | April 13, 1946 (age 67) |
| Origin | Forrest City, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, gospel, soul, smooth soul |
| Occupations | Reverend, vocalist, producer,songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Hi, Myrrh, The Right Stuff |
| Associated acts | The Creations, Willie Mitchell |
| Website | Official website |
Albert Greene (born April 13, 1946), better known as Al Green or Reverend Al Green, is an American singer, better known for scoring a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including “Tired of Being Alone”, “I’m Still In Love With You”, “Love and Happiness” and his signature song, “Let’s Stay Together”. Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, Green was referred to on the museum’s site as being “one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music”. Green was included in the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, ranking at No. 66.
Love and Happiness (live – HQ):
Al Green was the first great soul singer of the ’70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer. With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early ’70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals, and lush strings.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)
Awards:
- Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
- In 2004, Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Association‘s Gospel Music Hall of Fame
- In the same year he was inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame
- In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 65 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
- He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 BET Awards on June 24, 2009
On August 26, 2004, Green was honored as a BMI Icon at the annual BMI Urban Awards. He joined an impressive list of previous Icon honorees including R&B legends James Brown, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley
Al Green Live in Chicago 78 (58min):
