Died On This Date (January 5, 2010) Willie Mitchell / Legendary Memphis Producer
themusicsover Willie Mitchell
March 23, 1928 – January 5, 2010
Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at Elvis Presley’s home. He later went to work at Hi Records, first as a musician, then a producer, and ultimately running the company. It was under his watch that the label achieved its most success with releases by such legends as Bill Black, Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Mitchell himself. Willie Mitchell, age 81, died on January 5, 2010 as a result of cardiac arrest he suffered in December of 2009.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
Adalah Bennett Shaw was a longtime music industry leader who followed in the footsteps of her father, Alvin Bennett, a former president of Liberty Records. Shaw moved from farming into the music business in the early ’90s when she purchased the Hi Records masters, which included those of Al Green, Ace Cannon and Ann Peebles. Shaw is credited with revitalizing the label through license deals with EMI Music in the US and Demon Music Group in Europe. Adalah Bennett Shaw passed away at the age of 55. Cause of death was not immediately released.