b. Arthur Alexander, 10th May 1940, Florence, Alabama, U.S.A.
d. 13th June 1993, Nashville, Tenessee, U.S.A.
Arthur Alexander was a Soul artist, who was not afraid to, artistically, stray into the Country music genre.
His writings were covered by many Rock artists (such as the Beatles), however, Arthur remained very much in the background, receiving very little recognition for his writings.
He originally sang in a Gospel group called the Heartstrings.
sally sue brown - 1960 / anna (go to him) - 1962
Arthur released his first single in 1960 for the Judd imprint, entitled 'Sally Sue Brown' b/w 'The Girl That Radiates That Charm', in Florence, Alabama, under the name of June Alexander ('June' being an abbreviation of the name 'Junior').
Bob Dylan later covered 'Sally Sue Brown' on his 1988 LP, 'Down In The Groove'.
you better move on - 1962
Relocating to the Dot Records imprint, in 1962, he released 'You Better Move On' b/w 'A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues' in Muscle Shoals, a song which became an R&B chart hit.
Probably his trademark recording 'You Better Move On' was covered by The Rolling Stones, the Hollies, George Jones & Johnny Paycheck and Mink DeVille.
Another 1962 Arthur Alexander song 'Anna (Go to Him)' b/w 'I Hang My Head And Cry', not only was a U.S. R&B Top Ten Hit, it was also recorded by The Beatles, the Fiestas and Humble Pie.
The Beatles also performed his song, 'Soldier of Love' live, which was also covered by Marshall Crenshaw and Pearl Jam.
The Fab Four also performed Arthur originals 'A Shot of Rhythm and Blues' and 'Where Have You Been' which were performed live at the Star Club, in Hamburg during 1962.
Arthur recorded 9 singles for Dot between 1962 and 1965, before relocating to the Sound Stage label in 1965.
1968's, 'Set Me Free' b/w 'Love's Where Life Begins' (at Sound Stage) was covered by Esther Phillips and Joe Tex, a song penned by Arthur.
He also recorded a version of the Everly Brothers song 'By Bye Love' that year, followed by 'Glory Road' b/w Cry Like A Baby' in 1970, before leaving Sound Stage for Warner Brothers in 1972.
arthur alexander - 1972 / every day I have to cry some - 1975
In 1972, he released a self titled set for the label and four singles, followed three years later by 'Every Day I Have To Cry' b/w 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love', after moving to Buddah Records in 1975.
'Every Day I Have To Cry' was also recorded, at various stages, by Phil Flowers, Steve Alaimo, Lattimore Brown and Debby Boone (for Warners).
He followed the song with 'Sharing The Night Together' b/w 'She'll Throw Stones At You' in 1976 (written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Ava Aldridge and Eddie Struzick) reaching number 92 on the R&B charts.
The song was later covered by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show in 1978, which led to Arthur re-releasing the single himself.
By 1977, he had left Warners and recorded 'Hound Dog Man's Gone Home' b/w 'So Long Baby' for the Music Mill label.
Arthur drifted in and out of the music industry and was a social services bus driver for a short while.
In 1990, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
lonely just like me - 1993 / the monument years - 2005
He began to perform again in 1993, releasing his last album, 'Lonely Just Like Me' for the Elektra Nonesuch imprint.
He signed a new recording/publishing contract in May 1993 but suffered a fatal heart attack during June that year, three days after performing in Nashville with his new band.
Albums:
You Better Move On (Dot Records 1962)
Arthur Alexander (Warners Brothers Records 1972)
Soldier Of Love (Ace Records 1987)
Lonely Just Like Me (Elektra Records 1993)
Rainbow Road (The Monument Years (Warner Brothers Records 1994)
The Monument Years (Ace Records 2004)
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander (Razor & Tie Records 2005)
The Greatest (Ace Records 2006)
Lonely Just Like Me: The Final Chapter (Hacktone Records 2007)
