Curtis Mayfield

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. 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. This "message music" became extremely popular during the period of political ferment and social upheaval of the 1960s and '70s.

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 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. "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. 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.

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. The album was influential in the development of funk, rock and roll, R&B, soul, gospel and pop music. 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.

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. 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. He died on December 26, 1999 in Roswell, Georgia.

The Impressions were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.