Al Green is a legendary singer, songwriter, and producer who started his music career in the 1960s. He became popular for his unique style of music, which blended rhythm and blues with Southern soul, creating a distinctive sound that won over millions of fans around the world.
However, around the height of his career, something changed in the life of Al Green. He experienced a life-altering tragedy that would shape the course of his career. In this blog post, we’ll look at what happened to Al Green and the impact it had on his music and life.
Early Life and Career
Al Green was born on April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas. He began his music career at a young age, singing in local gospel groups with his siblings. In the early 1960s, Al formed a group called Al Greene and the Creations, which saw minor success with their single “Back Up Train.”
After that initial success, Green went solo, and signed with Hi Records, a label based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was there that he began recording some of his most famous songs, including “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” and “Love and Happiness.”
Green’s music was unique: he blended gospel, blues, and R&B, forming a sound that no one had ever heard before. It was this sound that made him popular around the world and cemented his legacy in the music industry.
The Tragedy
In October of 1974, Al Green experienced a life-altering tragedy. He was in his home in Memphis, Tennessee with his girlfriend, Mary Woodson, when she became upset and threw boiling hot grits on him before fleeing the home and later taking her own life.
This tragedy had a profound impact on Green. He became deeply depressed and turned to religion for solace. In the months following the incident, Green studied to become an ordained pastor, and in 1976, he was ordained as a Pentecostal minister. He also turned his back on secular music and began recording exclusively gospel music.
Return to Secular Music
After several years of recording gospel music, Al Green returned to secular music in the early 1980s. He returned to his label, Hi Records, and began recording more traditional R&B music. While he had some success, such as the hit song “I Can’t Stop,” his popularity had waned somewhat.
In the years following his return to secular music, Al Green never quite achieved the same level of success that he had before the tragedy with Mary Woodson. Nonetheless, he continued to record music and tour, performing for fans around the world.
Legacy
While Al Green’s career was transformed by the tragedy with Mary Woodson, his impact on the music industry cannot be understated. His unique blend of gospel, blues, and R&B created a sound that still resonates with fans today.
He has been awarded numerous accolades for his contribution to music, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Many modern musicians, such as Justin Timberlake and Adele, have cited him as an influence on their own music.
Conclusion
The story of Al Green is one of tragedy, redemption, and resilience. While he experienced unimaginable pain and suffering, he also found a way to turn to religion for comfort and healing. He may have moved away from his gospel roots and found less commercial success than before, but his legacy in the music industry is undeniable. He is one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his unique sound will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come.
FAQ
Is Al Green still a pastor?
Yes, Al Green is still a pastor. In fact, he became a Baptist minister in 1976, just a few years after the incident that ended his successful R&B career. The incident involved Green being scalded by hot grits, thrown at him by a former girlfriend. He took it as a sign from God and devoted his life to preaching the gospel.
In the same year, he bought the Full Gospel Tabernacle church in Memphis, Tennessee, and began preaching there. He would go on to record gospel music and become a respected figure within the religious community. His church has a predominantly African-American congregation, and he has been known to draw up to 1,500 people to his sermons.
Green’s preaching style is said to be fiery and engaging, with a focus on redemption and the transformative power of faith. His church is known for its lively music and community involvement, and he has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts, including donating money to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Despite his success as a pastor, Green has not entirely left behind his musical career. He continues to perform concerts and occasionally records music, although his focus remains on his ministry. For those seeking spiritual guidance, Al Green remains a prominent figure and an inspiration for many.
How did Al Green make his money?
Al Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas in 1946, and started his singing career at a young age of 10 years old where he performed in his family’s gospel group, the ‘Greene Brothers’. He then went on to form his own group called ‘Al Greene & the Creations’, which signed with Hot Line Music Journal, a record label in Michigan. The group recorded a number of singles that were not commercially successful, and eventually disbanded.
Al Green then decided to pursue a solo career, which would prove to be incredibly successful. He was signed by Hi Records, a Memphis based company, where he recorded some of his biggest hits such as “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness”. These records went on to sell millions of copies domestically and internationally, landing him a place in the R&B and pop music history.
Green’s fortune can be attributed to the sales of his over 20 million records over the years, which includes his studio albums, live recordings, and compilations. He is also credited for his songwriting talents, which helped him to generate additional income from the royalties that he received from other artists covering his material.
In addition to his music career, Green has also been involved in various business ventures such as real estate and investments. He owns a recording studio, which he uses to produce his music and that of other artists, and he has also dabbled in acting, appearing in movies such as “The Blues Brothers” and “Scrooged”.
To summarize, Al Green earned his fortune through his career as a musician, selling millions of records and receiving substantial royalties. He has also invested in various businesses and dabbled in acting, which has contributed to his overall net worth.
How many kids did Al Green have?
Al Green, the legendary soul singer and now pastor, is known not only for his music career but also for his family life. Green is a father of seven children, with four daughters and three sons.
His children are Chris Burse Sr., Al Green Jr., Trevor, Alva Lei, Rubi Renee, Kora Kishe (with Shirley Green), and Kala Green. All of his children were born in different years, with Chris Burse Sr. being the eldest, born in 1962, and Kala Green being the youngest, born in 1999.
Green has always been a very family-oriented man. He raised his children with utmost care and love, often showcasing his love for them through his music. In fact, some of Green’s most famous songs, such as “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness,” were inspired by his deep love and connection with his children.
Despite his busy career, Green has always made sure to prioritize his family. He has been a faithful father figure to all his children, even after his transformation into a pastor. In an interview, Green once said, “I don’t care if I’m Al Green, the preacher, or Al Green, the entertainer. My children always come first.”
Al Green has been blessed with a large family of seven children, all of whom he has loved and cared for deeply throughout his life. He has set a great example of how a successful career and a happy family life can go hand in hand with the right balance and priorities.