Green, Al (1946—)

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Green, Al (1946—)

Admirers call eight-time Grammy winner and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Al Green "the quintessential soul man." Born in Arkansas, Green grew up in Michigan, and as a youngster toured with his father in a family gospel quartet. He formed his own group "The Creations," in the mid-1960s, later becoming lead singer for "The Soul Mates." A solo career with Memphis-based Hi Records rocketed him to fame in the 1970s, becoming "that decade's most popular purveyor of soul music," according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In eight years, Green co-wrote thirteen charting singles including "Tired of Being Alone," and "Let's Stay Together." Fourteen of Green's albums have appeared on the Top 200 charts; five went gold. Ordained in 1976, he serves as pastor and proprietor of Memphis' Full Gospel Tabernacle, and recorded nine bestselling gospel albums in the 1980s.

—Courtney Bennett

Further Reading:

MCA Records. "Al Green," http://www.mca.com/mca_records/library/bios/bio.algreen.html. December 1998.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "Al Green: 1995, Performer," http://www.rockhall.com/induct/greeal.html. December 1998.