1942

Curtis Lee Mayfield, born in Chicago, Illinois. Father: Curtis Mayfield. Aka Kenneth Washington. Mother: Marian Washington.

1949

Singing with his own group, the Alphatones, also writing songs and singing in his paternal grandmother, Anna Belle Mayfield’s Traveling Soul Spiritualist Church.

1956

Mayfield joins The Roosters, a soul, R & B, doo wop group started by Richard and Arthur Brooks, Sam Gooden (b. 1939) and later Jerry Butler.

1958

The Roosters change name, at suggestion of manager/driver Eddie Thomas to The Impressions. Record “For Your Precious Love” for Vee Jay Records with label reading Jerry Butler and The Impressions. Mayfield is a backup singer. After single goes gold, Butler leaves The Impressions, replaced by Fred Cash (b. 1940). Mayfield takes control of the group’s recording, still continues his association with Butler, as songwriter, guitarist.

1960

Mayfield forms his own music publishing company, Curtom.

1961

Mayfield signs The Impressions to New York label, ABC Paramount. “Gypsy Woman,” written by Mayfield, becomes first Impressions hit under Mayfield’s leadership (No. 2 R & B, No. 20 pop).

1963

The Impressions, now back in Chicago, record Mayfield’s “It’s all Right,” a million selling single, one of the group’s signature songs. Mayfield also still writing, arranging, scoring hits with Major Lance, Billy Butler, The Artistics and others.

1964

Civil Rights Act passed. The Impressions album “Keep On Pushing” most successful in group’s career with Mayfield’s title song becoming part of the Civil Rights Movement, establishing his credentials as a “message” songwriter. Other album hit, “Amen,” a song inspired from the movie “Lilies of the Field.” Mayfield meets Altheida Sims, who he will later marry.

1965

Mayfield and The Impressions release group’s best known single, “People Get Ready,” probably written in response to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that took place earlier. It is a favorite of Dr. Martin Luther King. Mayfield leaves OKeh Records .

1966

Mayfield forms first record labels, Mayfield Records and Windy C.

1967

Impression’s “We’re a Winner” released, written ,produced by Mayfield, another Civil Rights Movement anthem from the group.

1968

Mayfield leaves The Impressions for solo career, forms Curtom Records in former RCA studios, N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Among signings: The Impressions, The Staples Singers, Mavis Staples, Baby Huey, Five Stairsteps, Leroy Hutson. Records several solo albums.

1972

Kicks off soundtrack producing career with “Super Fly,” No. 1 million selling album. Gold singles from album “Freddie’s Dead” and “Super Fly.”

1974

Mayfield writes, produces soundtrack for “Claudine,” creating hits for Gladys Knight and The Pips.

1976

Mayfield relaunches Aretha Franklin’s career, writing and producing “Sparkle” soundtrack.

1977

Mayfield provides solo hits for Mavis Staples in “Let’s Do It Again” soundtrack. Also has hit himself with “Do Do Wop Is Strong In Here,” from his “Short Eyes” soundtrack.

1983

Joins 25th Anniversary Concert tour with The Impressions and Jerry Butler. Unreleased recording of concerts.

1987

Headlines prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

1990

“Curtis Mayfield In Concert” video release of Germany appearances. “The Return Of Super Fly” soundtrack by Mayfield released.

1991

Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as member of The Impressions.

1992

Mayfield is paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, following an onstage accident in Brooklyn, NY, Aug. 13, when lighting rig collapses, falls on him. En Vogue has hit covering Mayfield’s “Giving Him Something He Can Feel.”

1994

Grammy Awards honor Mayfield with “Living Legend Award.” Shanachie Records releases all star Mayfield tribute album including Jerry Butler. “All Men Are Brothers,” all star tribute album from Warner Bros. released featuring Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, and others.

1995

Grammy “Lifetime Achievement Award” presented to Mayfield.

1996

Mayfield records his final album, Grammy-nominated “New World Order.”

1998

Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as solo artist. Georgia House of Representatives honor Mayfield –“The undisputed genius of modern music.”

1999

Curtis Mayfield dies, Dec. 26, Roswell, Ga., aged 57. Shortly before his death Mayfield was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

2004

Rolling Stone Magazine places Mayfield No. 34 in 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

2009

Hollywood RockWalk inducts Mayfield.

2012

“Here But I’m Gone” sell-out Lincoln Center New York tribute concert, featuring Impressions, Mavis Staples, Sinead O’Connor.

2013

Mayfield receives Best New Song Grammy nomination for “Same Love” by MacLemore and Ryan Lewis, in which “People Get Ready” is sampled, earning Mayfield co-composer credit. “It’s All Right To Have A Good Time – The Curtis Mayfield Story” opens at Black Ensemble Theatre, Chicago.

2014

• Screening event in 300 seat theatre.
• Officially unveil and promote the new Curtis Mayfield Website.
• Questions and Answers from audience to Mrs. Mayfield
• CD signing in gift shop after event.
• Present recognition plaque to Mrs Curtis Mayfield from Museum.

2014

Now Running through March 29th. Black Ensemble Theater presents the music of:

• Curtis Mayfield
• Jerry Butler
• Major Lance
• Betty Everett
• Billy Stewart
• Alvin Cash
• Gene Chandler
• Tyrone Davis

And many, many more!