Curtis Mayfield

The Impressions were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Before gaining widespread recognition with The Smiths, Morrissey (then still with forename) wrote a number of booklets on his favourite cultural subjects, music and film. He died on December 26, 1999 in Roswell, Georgia. Several of his releases have charted on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. He was unable to perform until 1997, when he released the album New World Order. In 1998, he had to have his right leg amputated due to diabetes. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" is the only Morrissey single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. On August 14, 1990, Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at a concert in Brooklyn, New York. For his albums and singles releases with The Smiths, see this page.

Characteristically, Mayfield's lyrics included hard-hitting commentary on the state of affairs in black, urban ghettos at the time, previously unheard of in blaxploitation films. [2] (http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk/News/news.asp?id=675&action=more). The album was influential in the development of funk, rock and roll, R&B, soul, gospel and pop music. With the release of 'I Have Forgiven Jesus' in December 2004, Morrissey became the only artist to score 4 top 10 hits in the UK singles chart that year. In 1970, Mayfield left The Impressions and began a solo career, eventually peaking with Superfly (1972), one of the most influential films, soundtracks and albums in history. Bush had died. [1] (http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/119/119298_morrissey_comments_spark_bush_fire.html). The Impressions reached the height of their popularity in the mid to late 1960s, with a string of Mayfield compositions that included "Keep On Pushin'," "People, Get Ready," "Choice of Colors," "This is My Country," and "We People Who Are Darker than Blue." Mayfield's "We're a Winner" became a virtual anthem of the black power/black pride movement. At a Dublin concert on June 5 2004, Morrissey caused global controversy by announcing the death of former US President, Ronald Reagan; then exclaiming he would have preferred it if George W.

"Amen," an updated version of an old gospel tune, was included in the soundtrack of 1963 MGM release "Lilies of the Field," which starred Sidney Poitier. This is the highest placing chart position for Morrissey in his entire career as both a solo artist and the lead singer of The Smiths. The band had hits with "For Your Precious Love" and "Gypsy Woman." After Butler left the group and was replaced with Fred Cash, Mayfield became lead singer, frequently composing for the band, as well. The single reached No.3 in its first week of sales in the UK Official Charts. Mayfield's career began in 1958 (see 1958 in music), when he formed The Impressions with Jerry Butler, Sam Gooden, Richad Brooks, and Arthur Brooks. The first single, "Irish Blood, English Heart" debuted on KROQ on March 22, 2004 and was released internationally on May 10, 2004. This "message music" became extremely popular during the period of political ferment and social upheaval of the 1960s and '70s. Guitarist Alain Whyte described the work as a mix between Your Arsenal and Vauxhall and I, and the album has received strong reviews.

Perhaps most notably, Mayfield was among the first of a new wave of mainstream African-American R&B performing artists and composers who injected social commentary into their work. Morrissey's latest, titled You Are the Quarry was released on May 17, 2004 (but one day later in the US). Curtis Mayfield (June 3, 1942 - December 26, 1999) was an African American soul, funk and R&B singer, songwriter and noted guitarist best known for his soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly. Mayfield came to prominence as lead singer/songwriter for The Impressions, then went on to have a successful solo career. He was given the one-time reggae label Attack Records as a platform to record new material and, reportedly, to sign new artists. In June, 2003 Sanctuary Records group announced a deal with Morrissey. Morrissey's songs of alienation and isolation have appeared to translate lock, stock and barrel from the streets of Manchester to the barrios of LA, something that he himself has expressed surprise and gratitude about.

Morrissey vacated his English home for Los Angeles in the late-1990s and found an entirely new life in the American West, where, to his own amazement, he has connected with the Hispanic community, where there is now a big fan base. Accusations of racism meant he spent much of the 1990s maligned, based upon songs such as "Bengali In Platforms" and "National Front Disco" as well as an ill-advised performance at the first Madness re-union show at Finsbury Park, London draped in the Union Flag. Between 1999 and 2003, Morrissey was unable to find a record contract at all (at least one that satisfied his demands). Though his large and loyal fan base follow his every move, his albums since 1996 had great trouble reaching a wider audience.

Reputed to be uninterested in compromise or record company marketing principles, Morrissey has long suffered the consequences of operating as a quasi-outsider in the music industry. Composition duties were split between guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, who have been the core of Morrissey's band ever since. The band he assembled for 1992's hit album Your Arsenal sharply renewed his sound and sales success with a fresh, American rockabilly sound. After producing several albums in the early years of his solo career with a production outfit not unlike his collaboration with Marr, Morrissey moved on from the songwriting services of Stephen Street for Viva Hate (1988) and Bona Drag (1990) and Mark Nevin for Kill Uncle (1991).

Morrissey's subsequent career has also provided successful albums and in 1994 he achieved his highest ever chart position with Vauxhall and I (1994) and its single "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get". Morrissey's work, both solo and with the Smiths, has been well regarded within England's artistic community and within the artistic establishment of England,even though he now lives in Los Angeles. The band broke up due to conflict between Morrissey and Marr, after a productive period from 1985 to 1987 when they released several successful albums: Meat Is Murder, Strangeways, Here We Come, and the hit The Queen is Dead (a regular member of "Best Albums of All Time" lists and easily one of the most influential of the 1980s). The band became a success in the UK, Ireland, and Australia and became a cult obsession in the United States of America, doing quite well on college radio charts with songs such as How Soon Is Now?, and Panic..

Morrissey's ambiguous sexuality, provocative iconoclasm, and lyrical compositions blended with guitarist Johnny Marr's highly melodic songwriting to sell many recordings. The Smiths are viewed by many as one of the most influential bands of the 1980s post-punk era. When the band broke up in 1987, Morrissey developed a successful solo career and is one of only a few artists to have had UK top ten singles in three separate decades. Steven Patrick Morrissey, (born May 22, 1959 in Manchester in England) dropped his forenames to become Morrissey, the lead singer of the seminal UK 'indie' band, The Smiths.

Exit Smiling (Babylon Books; 1998 [written in 1980, discusses a number of Morrissey's favourite, obscure B-movie actors] ISBN 0-907188-47-8). James Dean Is Not Dead (Babylon Books; 1983, 1984², 1997³ ISBN 0-907188-06-0). The New York Dolls (Babylon Books; 1981, 1995² ISBN 0-907188-50-8). Who Put the M in Manchester? (2005).

!Oye Estaban! (2000). The Malady Lingers On (1992). Live in Dallas (1992). Hulmerist (1990).

2005 "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" / "Redondo Beach". 2004 "I Have Forgiven Jesus" #10. 2004 "Let Me Kiss You" #8. 2004 "First of the Gang to Die" #6.

2004 "Irish Blood, English Heart" #3. 1998 "Satan Rejected My Soul" #39. 1997 "Roy's Keen" #42. 1997 "Alma Matters" #16.

1995 "Sunny" #42. 1995 "The Boy Racer" #36. 1995 "Dagenham Dave" #26. 1995 "Boxers" #23.

1994 "Interlude" (with Siouxsie) #25. 1994 "Hold on to Your Friends" #47. 1994 "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" #8 (#46 US). 1992 "Certain People I Know" #35.

1992 "You're the One for Me, Fatty" #19. 1992 "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" #17. 1991 "My Love Life" #29. 1991 "Pregnant for the Last Time" #25.

1991 "Sing Your Life" #33. 1991 "Our Frank" #26. 1990 "Piccadilly Palare" #18. 1990 "November Spawned a Monster" #12.

1989 "Ouija Board Ouija Board" #18. 1989 "Interesting Drug" #9. 1989 "Last of the Famous International Playboys" #6. 1988 "Everyday is Like Sunday" #9.

1988 "Suedehead" #5. Live at Earls Court — March 2005. You Are the Quarry — May 2004 (a Deluxe edition was released in October 2004). The Best of Morrissey — Nov 2001.

My Early Burglary Years — Sep 1998. Rare Tracks — Apr 1998. Suedehead: The Best of Morrissey — Sep 1997. Maladjusted — Aug 1997.

Southpaw Grammar — Sep 1995. World of Morrissey — Feb 1995. Vauxhall and I — Mar 1994. Beethoven was Deaf — May 1993.

Your Arsenal — Jul 1992. At KROQ — Sep 1991 (EP). Kill Uncle — Mar 1991. Bona Drag — Nov 1990.

Viva Hate — Mar 1988. Morrissey is a long-time ethical vegetarian and an advocate for animal rights. Morrissey is noted for using and liking the Southam Street work of photographer Roger Mayne. Morrissey apparently is involved in a long-standing feud with The Cure lead singer/guitarist Robert Smith.

Vote for John Kerry and get rid of George Bush!" [3] (http://www.morrisseymusic.com/newsitem.asp?id=89). Don’t forget to vote. Please bring sanity and intelligence back to the United States. For non-Americans, the United States is suddenly not a very nice place to visit because US immigration officers — under the rules of Bush — now conduct themselves with all the charm and unanswerable indignation of Hitler’s SS.

It does not need to be said yet again, but Bush has single-handedly turned the United States into the most neurotic and terror-obsessed country on the planet. Jon Stewart would be ideal, but John Kerry is the logical and sane move. Morrissey's statement was "With all my heart I urge people to vote against George Bush. Bush for President.