Eddie Hill

[Gaz T]

I have 4 singles by Eddie Hill, you got the best of me on Thelma, Nothing Sweeter than you babe on M-S I can hear you crying on Gee Gee and I’m so thankful on Kent Select 

imo all magnificent records 

my question is, does anyone know who he was and any history about him? 
I can’t find anything online about Eddie Hill - Nothing whatsoever 

Such a great voice ,  and seemingly only 4 released (three in the 60s)

How did Ady C find the track he released on Kent, any background story about this release?

Im just interested if anyone knows anything about him as at the min he is a total mystery when searching online.

Thanks in advance 

 

 

 

[Chalky]

The Kent track was first on cd in 2010.

Here is what Kent wrote for the 45 release....

Finding a new Eddie Hill recording from 1969 was quite a thrill and on hearing the beautiful mid-tempo groove, we included it on both our “Westbound Northern Soul” and “Masterpieces Of Modern Soul Vol 3” CDs in 2010. Since then, demand for ‘I Am So Thankful’ has risen and we can now issue it as a single. It was originally scheduled to be Westbound 151 in the USA but that spot was claimed by Emanuel Lasky’s ‘Never My Love’. Eddie now has a Kent label release to go with his Detroit waxings on Thelma, Ge-Ge and M-S.

[Chalky]

Discogs info

Edward Armstead Jr. AKA Eddie Hill (born November 20, 1942 - October 3, 2019 in Lakewood, Washington, USA)
On November 1942 in Mulga, AL, Edward Armstead Jr. was born to Viola and Edward Armstead Sr. He was the eldest of his nine siblings. He was affectionately known as Jr. to his family, Alabama to his friends, and back in the day as Eddie Hill to his fans.
Edward Jr. spent his formative years in the Mulga school system attending both Mulga Elementary and Westfield High School. After high school, Edward Jr. did a short stint of 18 months in the United States Army. Upon leaving the Army, he relocated with his family to Detroit, MI. There, he met and married Elaine Thomas. He was employed at the Budd Plant where the body of the iconic two-seat Ford Thunderbird was built and assembled. 
Edward Jr. accepted Christ in his early years. He also realized that he could sing! He loved performing and recorded several songs including “Baby I Cried” and “Nothing Sweeter.” Back in the day, Edward opened for Motown. 
In his latter years, he made Tacoma, WA his home. While there, the singing bug bit him again! He began singing karaoke at Oaktree Food and Drink Company in Lakewood, WA, where he became a regular and a favorite!

 

[Gaz T]

Thanks Chalky , that’s cleared this up for me

I didn’t realise his name wasn’t Eddie Hill but is Eddie Armstead 

That sorts of explains that

love the video of the Thelma 45 b side 

obviously the a side at the time

Shame he didn’t record more records 

I first heard nothing sweeter on that Detroit Goldmine lp that came out early 90s, mark bicknell gave me a tape around same time with you really got the best of me on it, loved those 2 ever since 

So recently picked up I can hear you crying just so I have all his 45s  , but  that’s a great overlooked record  as-well IMO 

The M-S 45 and the Gee Gee 45 must have sold ok ish for him as you still see them for sale in beat up condition 

Thanks again Chalky 

 

[Gaz T]

Might as well post his singles in the unlikely event that someone doesn't know them

 

 

 

[Gaz T]

 

[Blackpoolsoul]

2 hours ago, Gaz T said:

Thanks Chalky , that’s cleared this up for me

I didn’t realise his name wasn’t Eddie Hill but is Eddie Armstead 

That sorts of explains that

love the video of the Thelma 45 b side 

obviously the a side at the time

Shame he didn’t record more records 

I first heard nothing sweeter on that Detroit Goldmine lp that came out early 90s, mark bicknell gave me a tape around same time with you really got the best of me on it, loved those 2 ever since 

So recently picked up I can hear you crying just so I have all his 45s  , but  that’s a great overlooked record  as-well IMO 

The M-S 45 and the Gee Gee 45 must have sold ok ish for him as you still see them for sale in beat up condition 

Thanks again Chalky 

 

The info on Discogs came from this https://www.mountainviewtacoma.com/obituaries/edward-armstead/obituary

[Gaz T]

Thanks for that.

I wonder if he was aware that is 45s are still loved and collected by Soul fans 
I’m sure he must of because of the Kent CD release of I’m so thankful which was released before he passed 

I still can’t understand why he only made three 45s at the time.

His singing voice is lovely, such a shame he didn’t release anything else

Perhaps we will never know why

He left us with 4 special and amazing 45s IMO 

Good enough eh 

 

 

 

[Blackpoolsoul]

21 hours ago, Gaz T said:

Thanks for that.

I wonder if he was aware that is 45s are still loved and collected by Soul fans 
I’m sure he must of because of the Kent CD release of I’m so thankful which was released before he passed 

I still can’t understand why he only made three 45s at the time.

His singing voice is lovely, such a shame he didn’t release anything else

Perhaps we will never know why

He left us with 4 special and amazing 45s IMO 

Good enough eh 

 

 

 

Crazy, but, maybe he was related Jo Armstead or is that a silly theory.

[Gaz T]

You never know

Although Jo Armstead was mainly based in New York  and Chicago  in the 60s

 

[Chalky]

1 hour ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

Crazy, but, maybe he was related Jo Armstead or is that a silly theory.

Given that Eddie was born near Seattle in Washington State, NW of the country and Josie from Mississippi, it is highly unlikely they were related.

[Robbk]

On 30/03/2025 at 11:00, Chalky said:

Given that Eddie was born near Seattle in Washington State, NW of the country and Josie from Mississippi, it is highly unlikely they were related.

The information above is confusing.  It makes it appear that Armstead was born in Washington State.  But later, it states clearly that he was born in Alabama.  He spent his later years in Washington State, and died there.  Joshie was born in The South, and lived their before moving to Chicago.

[Gaz T]

59 minutes ago, Robbk said:

The information above is confusing.  It makes it appear that Armstead was born in Washington State.  But later, it states clearly that he was born in Alabama.  He spent his later years in Washington State, and died there.  Joshie was born in The South, and lived their before moving to Chicago.

I thought she lived in New York early 60s first before moving to Chicago recording as Deena Johnson in New York on wild deuce and other labels 

 

 

[Robbk]

47 minutes ago, Gaz T said:

I thought she lived in New York early 60s first before moving to Chicago recording as Deena Johnson in New York on wild deuce and other labels 

 

 

I should have stated: "before moving to 'The North'.