Arthur Conley
Encyclopedia
Arthur Lee Conley was an American
soul
singer, best known for the 1967 hit "Sweet Soul Music
".
, Georgia
, U.S.
, and grew up in Atlanta
. He first recorded
in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group, he released three singles
in 1963 and 1964 ("Poor Girl", "I Believe", and "Flossie Mae") on the Atlanta based record label
, National Recording Company.
In 1964, he moved to a new label (Baltimore
's Ru-Jac Records) and released "I'm a Lonely Stranger". When Otis Redding
heard this, he asked Conley to record a new version, which was released on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records, as only its second release. Conley met Redding in 1967, but after this meeting Redding took Conley under his care, and taught him the finer points of the music industry. Together they re-wrote the Sam Cooke
song "Yeah Man" into "Sweet Soul Music", which, at Redding's insistence, was released on the Atco
-distributed label Fame Records, and was recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
. It proved to be a massive hit, going to the number two position on the U.S.
charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe
. "Sweet Soul Music" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
.
After several years of singles in the early 1970s, he relocated to England
in 1975, and spent several years in Belgium
, then settled in Amsterdam, Netherlands
in spring 1977. In the beginning of 1980 he had some major performances as Lee Roberts and the Sweaters in the Ganzenhoef, Paradiso, De Melkweg and the Concertgebouw, and was highly successful. At the end of 1980 he moved to the Dutch
village
of Ruurlo
and legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). There he occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company. Amongst the bands he promoted was the heavy metal band Shockwave from the Hague. Arthur was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980, featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters, was released as an album
entitled Soulin in 1988.
Arthur Conley died after a long battle with intestinal cancer
in Ruurlo
, Netherlands at the age of 57 in November 2003.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, best known for the 1967 hit "Sweet Soul Music
Sweet Soul Music
Sweet Soul Music is the second album of New Zealand RnB artist, Aaradhna released in 2008 on Valentine's Day.-Track listing:#"Didn't I "#"I Want You Back"#"Betcha By Golly Wow"#"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"...
".
Career
Conley was born in McIntosh CountyMcIntosh County, Georgia
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Brunswick, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of McIntosh, Glynn, and Brantley counties. As of 2010, the population is 14,333. The county seat is Darien.-History:McIntosh County was split...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and grew up in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. He first recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group, he released three singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in 1963 and 1964 ("Poor Girl", "I Believe", and "Flossie Mae") on the Atlanta based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, National Recording Company.
In 1964, he moved to a new label (Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
's Ru-Jac Records) and released "I'm a Lonely Stranger". When Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
heard this, he asked Conley to record a new version, which was released on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records, as only its second release. Conley met Redding in 1967, but after this meeting Redding took Conley under his care, and taught him the finer points of the music industry. Together they re-wrote the Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
song "Yeah Man" into "Sweet Soul Music", which, at Redding's insistence, was released on the Atco
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
-distributed label Fame Records, and was recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
. It proved to be a massive hit, going to the number two position on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. "Sweet Soul Music" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
After several years of singles in the early 1970s, he relocated to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1975, and spent several years in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, then settled in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in spring 1977. In the beginning of 1980 he had some major performances as Lee Roberts and the Sweaters in the Ganzenhoef, Paradiso, De Melkweg and the Concertgebouw, and was highly successful. At the end of 1980 he moved to the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Ruurlo
Ruurlo
Ruurlo is a former municipality and a town in the eastern part of the Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. It has a population of 8,676 in 2004....
and legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). There he occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company. Amongst the bands he promoted was the heavy metal band Shockwave from the Hague. Arthur was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980, featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters, was released as an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
entitled Soulin in 1988.
Arthur Conley died after a long battle with intestinal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
in Ruurlo
Ruurlo
Ruurlo is a former municipality and a town in the eastern part of the Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. It has a population of 8,676 in 2004....
, Netherlands at the age of 57 in November 2003.
Recordings
- "Aunt Dora's Soul Love Shack", 1968
- "Burning Fire"
- "Baby, What You Want Me To Do"
- "Day-O", 1969, Jamaican folk song recorded by Harry BelafonteHarry BelafonteHarold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
- "Flossie Mae", 1963, as Arthur & the Corvets
- "Funky Street", 1968, #5 R&B, #14 pop
- "God Bless", 1970, Top 40 R&B
- "Ha Ha Ha"
- "I Believe", 1963, as Arthur & the Corvets
- "I Can't Stop (No, No, No)", 1966, written by Dan PennDan PennDan Penn is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and sometime guitar player who co-wrote many soul hits of the 1960s including "Dark End of the Street" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and "Out of Left Field" & "Cry Like A Baby"...
- "I Got A Feeling"
- "I'm a Lonely Stranger", 1964, solo, re-recorded in 1965
- "I'm Living Good", 1971–1974
- "It's So Nice [When It's Someone Else's Wife]", 1971–1974
- "Is That You Love"
- "Let's Go Steady", B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of "Sweet Soul Music" - "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaOb-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is a song credited to Lennon–McCartney, but written by Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles on their 1968 album The Beatles...
", 1968, #51 pop, #41 R&B, Beatles cover featured guitar of Duane AllmanDuane AllmanHoward Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band... - "One Night Is All I Need"
- "Otis Sleep On", 1968
- "People Sure Act Funny", 1968, Top 20 R&B
- "Poor Girl", 1963, as Arthur & the Corvets
- "Rita", 1971–1974
- "Run On", 1968
- "Shake, Rattle and RollShake, Rattle and Roll"Shake, Rattle and Roll" is a prototypical twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song, written in 1954 by Jesse Stone under his assumed songwriting name Charles E. Calhoun. It was originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, and most successfully by Bill Haley & His Comets...
", 1967, Top 40 pop, Top 20 R&B - "Shing-A-Ling"
- "Something You Got"
- "Speak Her Name", featured guitar of Duane Allman.
- "Star Review", 1969, with Tom DowdTom DowdTom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method. Dowd worked on a virtual "who's who" of recordings that encompassed blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul records.- Early years :Born in Manhattan, Dowd grew...
, written by Allen ToussaintAllen ToussaintAllen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern... - "Stuff You Gotta Watch", featured guitar of Duane Allman.
- "Sweet Soul MusicSweet Soul MusicSweet Soul Music is the second album of New Zealand RnB artist, Aaradhna released in 2008 on Valentine's Day.-Track listing:#"Didn't I "#"I Want You Back"#"Betcha By Golly Wow"#"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"...
", 1967, co-written with Otis Redding, #2 R&B, #2 pop - "Take A Step"
- "Take Me (Just as I Am)", 1966-1967(?)
- "That Can't Be My Baby"
- "Walking on Eggs", 1971–1974
- "Who's Foolin' Who", 1966
- "Whole Lotta Woman", 1967, #73 pop
- "Wholesale Love"
External links
- Memorial website (in DutchDutch languageDutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
) Photos from Arthur's last live performance, 9 June 2002 in Netherlands. - Arthur Conley Sweet Soul Music Home Page w/ CD Liner Notes, Discography and Latest Releases
- Yoni's Home of Soul Music page on Conley, w/ info about unreleased tracks
- Find-A-Grave profile for Arthur Conley