Curtis Lee Mayfield born June 3, 1942, was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer who was a key figure in the development of soul music and politically conscious African-American music.
Known as the “Gentle Genius,” During the civil rights movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, he initially found popularity and acclaim with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group The Impressions and then worked as a solo performer.
He is the fifth child of Marion Washington and Kenneth Mayfield.
Mayfield’s father abandoned the family when he was five years old, and his mother relocated the family to several Chicago public housing projects before settling in Cabrini-Green during his adolescence.
Mayfield attended Wells Community Academy High School until his sophomore year when he dropped out.
His mother trained him to play the piano and encouraged him to listen to gospel music, as did his grandmother. At the age of seven, he performed publicly with the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers at his aunt’s church.
What was Curtis Mayfield’s biggest hit?
Curtis Mayfield’s most famous song was (Super Fly). Super Fly was American soul musician Curtis’ third studio album, released in July 1972 on Curtom Records. It was published as the soundtrack of the same-named Blaxploitation film.
Super Fly was a near-instant hit and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of 1970s soul and funk music.
Its sales were boosted by two million-selling singles, “Freddie’s Dead” (number two on the R&B charts, number four on the Pop charts) and the title track (number 5 R&B, number 8 Pop). Super Fly is one of the few soundtracks to generate more money than the film it supported.
Super Fly, like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On (1971), was a pioneering soul concept album, with its then-unusual socially aware lyrics about poverty and drug abuse distinguishing it.
Because the film has uncertain views on drug traffickers, and Curtis Mayfield’s viewpoint is significantly more critical, the film and music may be seen as dissonant.
The album, like What’s Going On, was a surprise smash that record executives thought had little chance of selling well.
Mayfield was chosen for multiple film soundtracks over the remainder of the decade as a result of its success.
