Pianist and songwriter Ivory Joe Hunter died on this day in 1974 in Memphis, TN at age 60. Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974)[1] was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid-1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recording, Since I Met You Baby (1956). He was billed as The Baron of the Boogie, and also known as The Happiest Man Alive. His musical output ranged from R&B to blues, boogie-woogie, and country, and Hunter made a name in all of those genres. Uniquely, he was honored at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Grand Ole Opry.[2] Hunter was born in Kirbyville, Texas, United States. Ivory Joe Hunter was his birthname, not a nickname nor a stage name.[1] As a youngster, Hunter developed an early interest in music from his father, Dave Hunter, who played guitar, and his gospel-singing mother. He was a talented pianist by the age of 13, and as a teenager, Hunter made his first recording for Alan Lomax and the Library of Congress in 1933.[3] Hunter was also the uncle of Tower of Powers original lead vocalist, Rick Stevens.[4] Radio and recordings In the early 1940s, Hunter had his own radio show in Beaumont, Texas, on KFDM, where he eventually became program manager, and in 1942 he moved to Los Angeles, joining Johnny Moores Three Blazers in the mid-1940s.[1] When he wrote and recorded his first song, Blues At Sunrise, with the Three Blazers for his own label, Ivory Records, it became a nationwide hit on the R&B chart in 1945.[3][5] In the late 1940s, Hunter founded Pacific Records,[1] and in 1947, he recorded for Four Star Records and King Records. Two years later, he recorded further R&B hits; on I Quit My Pretty Mama and Guess Who he was backed by members of Duke Ellingtons band.[3][6] After signing with MGM Records, he recorded I Almost Lost My Mind,[1] which topped the 1950 R&B charts and would later (in the wake of Hunters success with Since I Met You Baby) be recorded by Pat Boone whose version became a number one pop hit.[3] I Need You So was a number two R&B hit that same year. With his smooth delivery, Hunter became a hot R&B commodity, and he also began to be noticed in the country music community. In April 1951, he made his network TV debut on You Asked For It. He toured widely with a backing band and became known for his large build (he was 6 4 tall), his brightly colored stage suits, and his volatile temperament.[7] By 1954, he had recorded more than 100 songs and moved to Atlantic Records. His first song to cross over to the pop charts was Since I Met You Baby (1956). It was to be his only Top 40 pop song, climbing to the number 12 position.[8] While visiting Memphis, Tennessee, in the spring of 1957, Hunter was invited by Elvis Presley to visit Graceland. The two spent the day together, singing I Almost Lost My Mind and other songs together. Hunter commented, He is very spiritually minded... he showed me every courtesy, and I think hes one of the greatest.[9] Presley recorded several of his songs, including I Need You So, My Wish Came True and Aint That Lovin You, Baby.[3] Hunter was a prolific songwriter, and some estimate he wrote more than 7,000 songs.[citation needed] Country comeback Hunters Empty Arms and Yes I Want You also made the pop charts, and he had a minor hit with City Lights in 1959, just before his popularity began to decline. Hunter came back as a country singer in the late 1960s, making regular Grand Ole Opry appearances and recording an album titled Ive Always Been Country.[10] Ivory Joe Hunter in his network television debut on You Asked for It (DuMont, April 1951) Country singer Sonny James issued a version of Since I Met You Baby and it topped the country charts in 1969, paving the way for Hunters album The Return of Ivory Joe Hunter and his appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The Return of Ivory Joe Hunter was recorded in Memphis with a band that included Isaac Hayes, Gene Bowlegs Miller and Charles Chalmers.[3] Jerry Lee Lewis covered Since I Met You Baby in 1969. Death In 1974, lung cancer led to Hunters death in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 60.[1] He was buried in his native Kirbyville.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:27:22 +0000
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