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R.I.P J Blackfoot

R.I.P J Blackfoot magazine cover

Reggie Sears has just posted on FB that J Blackfoot has passed away,the sad news seems to be getting a bit too regular now.A great voice is no more

 

R.I.P J Blackfoot

 

Steve

 

 

added by site - mainstream info and tribute link

 

"What I remember more than anything about him was his naturalness," said Stax songwriting legend David Porter, who discovered Mr. Blackfoot more than 40 years ago. "When I first heard him, there was naturalness in his phrasing, in his charm, that was unique. He always stayed true to that."

 

John Colbert was born in Greenville, Mississippi, moving to Memphis, Tennessee with his family as a child. Generally known as "J." or "Jay", he acquired the nickname "Blackfoot" as a child, for his habit of walking barefoot on the tarred sidewalks. In 1965, while spending some time in Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville for car theft, he met Johnny Bragg, the founder of the Prisonaires vocal group.

 

After leaving prison he recorded a single under his own name for the small Sur-Speed label, before returning to Memphis, where he was heard singing in a street corner group by David Porter of Stax Records. After the plane crash that claimed the lives of Otis Redding and four members of The Bar-Kays, he joined the reconstituted group as lead singer, and performed with them for several months but did not record.

 

In 1968, after Sam & Dave had moved from Stax to Atlantic Records, Porter and his songwriting and production partner Isaac Hayes decided to put together a new vocal group of two men and two women. They recruited Blackfoot, together with Norman West, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett, to form The Soul Children. Between 1968 and 1978, The Soul Children had 15 hits on the R&B chart, including three that crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, and recorded seven albums.

 

The Soul Children disbanded in 1979. Blackfoot worked with bands in the Memphis area, and recorded solo for the local Prime Cut label. In 1983, he began working again with writer and producer Homer Banks, with whom he had recorded with The Soul Children, and recorded "Taxi", a song originally written for Johnnie Taylor but not recorded by him. Blackfoot's record rose to no. 4 on the R&B chart and no. 90 on the pop chart, also reaching no. 48 in the UK.[5][6] He recorded several albums, and had several more R&B hits on Banks' Sound Town label before moving to the Edge label formed by Al Bell in 1986. In 1987, he had another significant hit, "Tear Jerker", a duet with Ann Hines, reaching no. 28 on the R&B chart. He later moved to the Basix label, continuing to release albums into the new millennium.

 

In 2007, Blackfoot and West reformed the Soul Children, with Hines and fourth member Cassandra Graham.

In 2010, Blackfoot appeared as part of David Porter's music revue.

On November 30, 2011, Blackfoot died after having being diagnosed with cancer.

 

A tribute with the complete J. Blackfoot/the Soul Children story is available at Soul Express

 

http://www.soulexpre...ackfoot_rip.htm

 

soul walking bio page

 

http://www.soulwalki...0Blackfoot.html




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Indeed very sad news, lead singer in the seventies with the Soul Children and later during the 80's (mainly Soundtown) released one or two 45's and a excellent album City Slickers, whilst going it solo and still working with Homer Banks and Chuck Brooks at World Production Inc. Label mates with Shirley Brown also at Soundtown.

R I P John Blackfoot.

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This is sad news indeed, only 65. As well as the stuff mentioned he continued to release quality music through the 90's and 2k's on the Platinum Blue and Basix labels (search and check out the cut "So Good"). John Colbert, known as J Blackboot since childhood because of running around barefoot on the hot black tarmac of Mississippi!!

R.I.P. J Blackfoot

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One of the great soul vocalists.

As stated above everybody should own "Friction" and "Genesis" by the Soul Children.

"Poem on the school house door" remains, for me, a defining moment in gritty, southern soul.

A sad loss indeed.

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Another great loss. Had the privilege to meet him after the Willie Mitchell Memorial Service in Memphis a couple of years ago, and chat about his career, life and times. He was very friendly, immensely modest and extremely engaging. The world will be a poorer place.

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Extremely sad news and I am very surprised by the small number of replies on this topic for the passing of such a legend of our music.

Would agree and I find it so sad that a huge amount of SS members, find watching clips of subway buskers more of a priority. Thankfull to the other acknowledged, who have already posted in respect, we were lucky to have witnessed J.B's musical journey.

Thank you.

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One of the great soul vocalists.

As stated above everybody should own "Friction" and "Genesis" by the Soul Children.

"Poem on the school house door" remains, for me, a defining moment in gritty, southern soul.

A sad loss indeed.

Can't say more than that, other than "Poem on the school house door" remains a defining moment in why soul music is the greatest art form in the world. Heart stopping on so many levels.

Giant of a man, biggest regret is missing the Poretta he did, having been there for the 3 years before, absolute giant of a vocalist.

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Agree with all the above comments about the lack of appreciation of one of soul musics truly great singers. I would say that the Soul Children -Friction album is one of the most complete soul lps. I played a tribute to him at Majestic soul on Thursday and spoke to Gareth Sweeney about him and how highly we rated him.

Jock, i was lucky enough to see him in Porretta and he was still in great form. One of my abiding memories of him was when my mate asked him to sing 'I stood on the sidewalk and cried' he said the band didn't know it so wouldn't be able to do it. However he did sing the opening few lines of it before the backing kicks in, which i thought was a nice touch.

So many great songs 'Move over' 'Midnight sunshine' 'What's happening baby' as well as having a solo hit with 'Taxi'

Rip J

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VVery sad news. I'd not heard much of his stuff, but have been listening to some on U tube. Where is Love always reminds me of Leicester. Love it.

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Agree with all the above comments about the lack of appreciation of one of soul musics truly great singers. I would say that the Soul Children -Friction album is one of the most complete soul lps. I played a tribute to him at Majestic soul on Thursday and spoke to Gareth Sweeney about him and how highly we rated him.

Jock, i was lucky enough to see him in Porretta and he was still in great form. One of my abiding memories of him was when my mate asked him to sing 'I stood on the sidewalk and cried' he said the band didn't know it so wouldn't be able to do it. However he did sing the opening few lines of it before the backing kicks in, which i thought was a nice touch.

So many great songs 'Move over' 'Midnight sunshine' 'What's happening baby' as well as having a solo hit with 'Taxi'

Rip J

Well said Binsy

I played a tribute to the great man in my record room yesterday. 'Just One Moment' from Friction is an absolute masterpiece and edges Johnnie's version for me. His vocal in the fine stages is truly outstanding.

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Agree with all the above comments about the lack of appreciation of one of soul musics truly great singers. I would say that the Soul Children -Friction album is one of the most complete soul lps. I played a tribute to him at Majestic soul on Thursday and spoke to Gareth Sweeney about him and how highly we rated him.

Jock, i was lucky enough to see him in Porretta and he was still in great form. One of my abiding memories of him was when my mate asked him to sing 'I stood on the sidewalk and cried' he said the band didn't know it so wouldn't be able to do it. However he did sing the opening few lines of it before the backing kicks in, which i thought was a nice touch.

So many great songs 'Move over' 'Midnight sunshine' 'What's happening baby' as well as having a solo hit with 'Taxi'

Rip J

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i loved taxi and girl next door but now feel guilty that i never heard and appreciated the other stuff he did, that "sidewalk" track is awesome, Rip mate from someone who played taxi over and over again , oh and that midnight sunshine thing aint bad either

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One of those artists that came under the "achingly soulfull" banner for me. "Whats Happening", "Midnight Sunshine" "Taxi" "Sidewalk", and as Jock mentioned "Poem on the schoolhouse wall" are examples that rival anything you can mention, the man was that good, in an age where they pass off practically middle of the road singers as soul singers we can hardly afford to lose the likes of J Blackfoot and Howard Tate.

R.I.P. both of them

Kev

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J. Blackfoot's work with the Soul Children naturally commands enormous respect but along with it I must confess I've always admired his version of the country song 'I Don't Remember Loving You'.

The lyric is absolutely amazing and with Homer Banks and Chuck Brooks at the helm J. Blackfoot's interpretation of it is majestic. It's impossible to listen to this and not be amused.

RIP and thanks for so many wonderful moments.

Chris

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