Timeline

  • 1942 Learn More

    1942

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

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  • 1949 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1956 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1958 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1960 Learn More

    1960

    Mayfield forms his own music publishing company, Curtom.

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  • 1961 Learn More

    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).

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  • 1963 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1964 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1965 Learn More

    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 .

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  • 1966 Learn More

    1966

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

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  • 1967 Learn More

    1967

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

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  • 1968 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1972 Learn More

    1972

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

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  • 1974 Learn More

    1974

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

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  • 1976 Learn More

    1976

    Mayfield relaunches Aretha Franklin�s career, writing and producing �Sparkle� soundtrack.

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  • 1977 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1983 Learn More

    1983

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

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  • 1987 Learn More

    1987

    Headlines prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

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  • 1990 Learn More

    1990

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

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  • 1991 Learn More

    1991

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

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  • 1992 Learn More

    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.�

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  • 1994 Learn More

    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.

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  • 1995 Learn More

    1995

    Grammy �Lifetime Achievement Award� presented to Mayfield.

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  • 1996 Learn More

    1996

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

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  • 1998 Learn More

    1998

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

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  • 1999 Learn More

    1999

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

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  • 2004 Learn More

    2004

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

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  • 2009 Learn More

    2009

    Hollywood RockWalk inducts Mayfield.

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  • 2012 Learn More

    2012

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

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  • 2013 Learn More

    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.

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  • 2014 Learn More

    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.

    Speakers:
    Mrs. Mayfield
    Bob Santelli, curator, Grammy Museum
    John Selvin, Music Editor Emeritus, San Francisco Chronicle

    Free event for the public.
    For more information click here!

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  • 2014 Learn More

    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!

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