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Terry Callier - Rip

Terry Callier - Rip magazine cover

This was posted up by Bob Jones on Facebook in the last 15 minutes

 

Déja Kia Bianco

 

This page is so heart-warming. I'm Terry Callier's great niece. I regret to inform you all who really seemed to love him and his music that after a lengthy illness, my Uncle T has passed away

 

 

Very sad news indeed, a true gent and incredibly talented man,

 

 

added by site

 

From the myspace page

 

Bio:

Early days: born in Chicago on May 24th 1945, Terry grew up singing alongside soul greats Jerry Butler, Major Lance and Curtis Mayfield. "That was a dynamite neighbourhood. All of us were doo-woping at the time in different groups" says Callier.

 

1962-1963: At the age of seventeen, one of his visits to Chess Records pays off and Callier signs his first record contract. Four tracks were recorded and one released, a single entitled: Look at me now.

 

1964: Callier is signed to do an album for Prestige Records. The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier is recorded in

 

1965. Around this time, Callier begins to become a presence on the Chicago night club/folk circuit. Joe Segal coins the phrase ?folk/jazz? to describe Terry?s new musical style.

 

1971-72: With Larry Wade, Callier writes a US Top 20 hit, The Dells: The love We Had StaysOn My Mind. This leads to a record deal with the Cadet label, a subsidiary of Chess Records.

 

1972-76: Callier records three albums for Cadet: Occasional Rain (1972), What Color is Love (1973) and I Just Can't Help Myself (1975).

All three produced by Charles Stepney, crystallised his style ? a unique brand of soul featuring jazz-influenced compositional structures and themes of social awareness and gained him and impassioned following among R&B hipsters. Callier goes on his first national tour where he is heard in a featured spot alongside such artists as Gill Scott Heron, George Benson, and Grover Washington Jr. "The Cadet years were good for me" says Callier. "It seems that songs like Ordinary Joe, Occasional Rain and What Color is Love resonated out there. That felt good. It was behind those albums that I was able to play in places like Washington D.C, Detroit for quite a few years afterwards".

 

1977-79: Callier signed to Elektra Records by Don Mizell. He records two albums, Fire On Ice (1977) and Turn You to Love (1978) well received by critics and Radio 1 personality Frankie Crocker makes Sign Of the Time the theme song for his highly influential WBLS/New York radio show.

 

1981: Callier is granted custody of his only daughter Sundiata. He retires from music to a day job as a computer programmer for social service organisation connected to the University of Chicago. "When I got custody of my daughter I had to give us music to raise her properly, she needed me and the music business just didn't seem like a viable option at that point" says Callier. He continues to perform, however.

 

In the early 1990s, the Chess/Cadet recordings are unearthed by Acid Jazz listeners in the UK who were drawn to his deeply moving poetry and musical eclecticism. The three Cadet albums became essential collectors items for the prospective beat-head. Callier?s music is heavily requested at UK listening venues and Charly Records releases a Best of Terry Callier on Cadet compilation. In 1991 Acid Jazz tracks Callier down and releases a new version of I Don?t Want to See Myself (Without You) on an EP. "I am often reminded that there are people listening to the music now who weren't in this world when some of the songs were originally recorded" says Callier. "I just hope this circle remains unbroken and continues to grow".

 

1997: Terry records three tracks with the up and coming British singer: Beth Orton. To be released, courtesy of Verve, on Beth Ortons label: Heavenly.

 

1998: Verve/Talkin Loud release Terry?s new album Timepeace. Terry finds himself touring Europe and the UK to show that receive standing ovation.

 

May 1998: Universal Records released a new compilation: Terry Callier Essential, The Very Best plus three re-issues of new CDs from the Chess/Cadet albums: What Color is Love, Occasional Rain and I Just Can?t Help Myself. May 1998, Terry sold out the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London.

 

Summer 1998 saw Terry touring the UK and Europe, covering Glastonbury, Vienna Opera House, The Quart Festival Norway, Fusion Festival Sweden, North Sea Festival Holland, Montreaux Festival in Switzerland, Munich and Paris France. Timepeace was chosen by the UN as the theme song for the 1999 Peace Conference.

 

1999: Verve/Talkin Loud release Lifetime with full European tour.

 

2001: Mr Bongo release the live set album Alive recorded at the Jazz Cafe, London alongside Europe, US and Japanese tours. In 2001 he was also to be heard on much-praised albums by Koop [Waltz For Koop] and 4-Hero [Creating Patterns]

 

2002: Mr Bongo releases Speak Your Peace with a full UK tour. This is a new solo project that reconfirms his enormous songwriting talent and shared vision with today?s most adventurous producers, namely Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick of Incognito and 4-hero. Their individuality proves to be totally compatible with his own. This album features the joyful collaboration with Paul Weller on the track 'Brother to Brother'.

 

2003: Terry completes a sell-out tour of Europe taking in Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy and France and more.

October 2003: Mr Bongo release Total Recall - a remix album featuring remixes by Zero 7, 4Hero, Funky Lowlives and Block 16, supported by a full UK tour.

 

2004: Terry's tour takes in dates including France, Japan, Toronto and London.

October 2004: Mr Bongo release the eagerly anticipated new studio album 'Lookin' Out' which is a true return to form. The lazy, jazzy tracks ooze vibes of Chicago, Terry's home town, where all the tracks were written, performed and recorded by the finest musicians.

 

2006: Terry sings on Massive Attack's single 'Live With Me' to much acclaim. Features on 'Collected', Massive Attacks best of album.

 

2008: 'Welcome Home' released on Mr Bongo Records. A new live album following the recording of an outstanding performance at the Jazz Cafe, London in March 2008.

 

 

just two video clips of this mans tremendous output

will be missed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

more info

 

http://www.mrbongo.c...s/terry-callier

 

http://www.myspace.com/terrycallier




Members Comments

Recommended Comments



Guest

Posted

Sad news another Great artist that will be missed

Peter99

Posted

Very sorry to hear that too. Mr Callier had a very special kind of relationship with the people who enjoyed both his music and him as a person.

Peter

:thumbsup:

Larry Semmins

Posted

A sad end to the weekend that is,the guy was a genius songwriter and performer.R.I.P. Terry Callier.

Tony Foster

Posted

R,I,P Terry Callier one of my favourite artists. A very sad day indeed.

Kerry F

Posted

My all time favourite male singer. RIP x

Guest sharmo 1

Posted

what a great shame R.I.P ordinary Joe Simon. :hatsoff2:

Micksmix

Posted

A shock indeed,his music will live on RIP a true genius

Wiganer1

Posted

look at me now classic northern,,,rememnber seeing him at trentham gardens,,,legendary soul singer RIP..

Dennisoul

Posted

Loved his voice, always wanted to see him live....such sad news...rip TC

Biggordy

Posted

A wonderful singer that appealed to many soul and jazz fans not just Northern fans.

R.I.P.

John Elias

Posted

RIP Mr Callier,a sad loss

Guest nubes

Posted

How very sad..... :( Delxxxx

Pat Wallace

Posted

Seen him at the Kendal Brewery Arts Centre a couple of years ago. What a great night that was. Terry you made a lot of people happy RIP.

Mark R

Posted

A very sad end to the weekend.

RIP Terry Callier :-((

Mark R

Alison H

Posted

Beautiful voice, was fortunate enough to see him at one of the early Southport Weekenders, he was sublime

Such a great loss

Rest in Peace Mr Callier

With love & sympathy

Alison xx

Roburt

Posted

Got to chat with him after a gig he did at the Jazz Cafe.

He was very humble and a true gentleman, he even apologised for keeping me waiting to get some records signed.

A great song writer & singer.

R.I.P.

Guest Andy Kempster

Posted

Very sad news. Spent an amazing night at the jazz cafe witnessing him in all his glory. A true legend gone but will always hold a place in my heart. Dont want to see myself without you. RIP

sepia

Posted

he played lemon tree in aberdeen a few years ago & thought id get a ticket easy.

left it to late & was sold out.

i did think he would just be playing songs off his new cd @ the time.

found out he sang just want see myself & ordinary joe.

another one i missed.

rip.

Soulcarp

Posted

sad news indeed,R.I.P. Mr Terry Callier my thoughts to is family and friends

Guest soulcamper

Posted

Sad Sad news - a very under rated artiste who transcended all styles of music, Soul, Jazz, Blues, Country & Gospel - RIP Mr Callier.......

Guest Ste Brazil

Posted

R.I.P. Terry.

Russ Vickers

Posted

OMG.....RIP TC.....sympathy to family & friends, we will miss you.

Russ

Prophonics 2029

Posted

Not a week goes by without me singing Look At Me Now in my head.

Greg Belson

Posted

Yup, very sad right now. Words can't really express.

Rest In Peace Mr Callier.

Bazm

Posted

Definitely no 'Ordinary Joe', a very sad loss

Rest In Peace Terry....

Kris Holmes

Posted

very sad news, i too saw him at the Jazz Cafe at some point. RIP.

I played this 45 on the radio yesterday but didn't know he had passed away at the time :(

Sweeney

Posted

A special talent. He will be sorely missed.

Lee Bates

Posted

A humble man with extraordianry talent who had a way touching his audience. A huge loss to the world of music. RIP xx

Dave2

Posted

There's a time in your life when you step onto a dance floor for the first time. You're nervous, slightly unsure of yourself, trying to find your feet. Take a 'Look at Me Now' was that classic that always calmed me down, and made everything in the world feel ok. What a track, what a voice.

RIP Terry. Thanks man.

Dave

Guest giant

Posted

sad news RIP TERRY

boba

Posted

Just posted this on another forum -- one thing that doesn't get mentioned much is that he wrote the entire Dells "Sweet as funk can be" concept-ish album.

Guest Andy Kempster

Posted

Very sad news. Spent an amazing night at the jazz cafe witnessing him in all his glory. A true legend gone but will always hold a place in my heart. Dont want to see myself without you. RIP

Benji

Posted

very sad news. one of my alltime favourite artists. went to see him live twice. both gigs were exceptional. such a humble yet larger-than-life man. R.I.P.

Guest

Posted

Very sad news indeed. One of the very best singers and songwriters, a great performer and by all accounts a true gentleman.

'Dancing Girl' is a masterpiece.

RIP MR Callier.

Tezza

Posted

Nothing much to be said RIP Terry,

With Gil Scott Heron leaving us earlier in the year and now Terry Callier there is a massive void in music. Will be remembered and loved XXX

Dave Pinch

Posted

very sad news. terry also wrote the dells masterpiece and my fave by them its all up to you

soulfulmick

Posted

Another great leaves us.

RIP Terry

Rich Buckley

Posted

Saw him live a couple of times, both times he was awesome. Wonderful writer too. Another great passes. RIP

Rich

Godzilla

Posted

Deeply sad news. One of the best live performers I've ever seen and a lovely man too.

Peace Terry.

Soul Shaw

Posted

I bought "look at me now " late 1977 as an unknown to myself.got home and played it,my first reaction was what the hello have I bought here. Nothing like the wigan tunes I was used to . Little did I know that it would become one of my favourite tunes and one of the most popular records on the northern soul scene ever R.I.P terry callier

Little-stevie

Posted

His music and voice touched my heart, one of the greatest gifts i could ask for....

His live performance was a real highlight of life....

Another soul gone....

Simsy

Posted

Just see this, very sad news.

Rest in peace TC.x

bri pinch

Posted

Very sad news indeed, may you rest in peace, Mr Terry Callier :(

Steve Plumb

Posted

RIP Terry

Another great artist taken from us too early

Steve

Ady Croasdell

Posted

A lovely and talented man. He had a nightmare plane journey to the UK for his first vist and the plane was so delayed he had to travel straight from the airport to rehearsals up in Willesden. Though utterly drained he was happy to rehearse and as soon as the music struck up the energy and life just flowed back right into him. The jazz and funk scene then fell in love with him and he was a star in the UK and relatively unknown at home. He deserved all his acclaim.

Dean Rudland

Posted

A lovely and talented man. He had a nightmare plane journey to the UK for his first vist and the plane was so delayed he had to travel straight from the airport to rehearsals up in Willesden. Though utterly drained he was happy to rehearse and as soon as the music struck up the energy and life just flowed back right into him. The jazz and funk scene then fell in love with him and he was a star in the UK and relatively unknown at home. He deserved all his acclaim.

Ady,

just smiling at this.

I was tasked with looking after Terry - and his daughter Sundiata - when he was in London that time. At 21 it was the first time I had ever had to do such a thing and I was a little nervous. I made my way up to Willesden, walked in and before I could work out what was going on, I saw Terry, acoustic guitar in hand running through 'Ordinary Joe'. It was an absolutely amazing introduction to a lovely lovely man, who deserved all the success he got in his later years.

Dean

Steve Thomas

Posted

R.I.P MR Terry Callier a true gent un legand of our music

TheBigO

Posted

Very sad news, class act and a class decent human being. Thanks for the memories Terry, no ordinary Joe!

Mister Fish

Posted

What a wonderful man. I was lucky enough to see him and Gil SC in the last year.

What a huge void.

Very sad.

Peace TC love xx





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