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The Rev. Al Green has lived--let's say--an "interesting life."
It seemed that every series of "downs" was followed by a series of "ups."
Downs: As a teen, he was kicked out of his home when his father caught him listening to "soul music." He then lived with a prostitute and started using drugs.
Ups: In 1971, Singer/songwriter/producer Willie Mitchell heard Al sing and asked him to join his band--and then signed him to his Memphis record label: Hi Records. This led to an incredible run of EIGHT Gold records, including several chart toppers.
Downs: In 1974, his girlfriend threw a pot of boiling grits on him, causing severe burns over much of his body. She then committed suicide. The reason? He wouldn't marry her. Why? Because she was already married with 3 children!
In several separate incidences, Al was charged with assault. By 1979, Al's record sales were falling off (partially because of the above personal problems) and then he fell off a stage while performing and severely injured himself.
Ups: Al took this as a sign from God, became a minster, and started a Grammy-Award Winning career as a Gospel singer.
Eventually, Al started re-adding secular music to his repertoire, and the accolades began to pile up!
Al was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in1995. He won an amazing total of 11Grammy Awards overall, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.
Al was included in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time at #65, as well as its list of the 100 Greatest Singers, at #14!
So now that you've read the condensed biography, let me highlight one of Al's "Great Songs of the '70s!
1972's "You Ought to Be with Me" is about a man who just can't understand why the woman he loves...loves someone else.
The song topped Billboard's Soul Chart, and reached #3 on the Hot 100. And FYI, it was #5 of his 8 Gold Records. "You Ought to Be with Me!" Can I get an Amen!?
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