Arthur Alexander


Arthur Alexander was an American country-soul songwriter and singer. Jason Ankeny, music critic for AllMusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and that, though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his contemporaries." Alexander's songs were covered by such stars as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Otis Redding, Tina Turner, Pearl Jam, Rick Nelson and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Life

Alexander was born in Sheffield, Alabama, United States. Working with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama, Alexander recorded his first single, "Sally Sue Brown", under the name of June Alexander, which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records..
A year later, Alexander cut "You Better Move On", at the fledgling FAME Studios, which at that point was located above the City Drug Store in Florence, Alabama. Released on Nashville's Dot Records, the song became a soul/R&B chart hit, and laid the foundation for the modern recording studio FAME. "You Better Move On" is perhaps Alexander's best-known song, covered by the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, George Jones & Johnny Paycheck, Gene Clark and Mink DeVille. "Anna ", a U.S. R&B Top Ten Hit, was covered by the Beatles, Roger McGuinn and Humble Pie. The Beatles did live recordings of "Soldier of Love", "A Shot of Rhythm and Blues", and "Where Have You Been" at the Star-Club in Hamburg in 1962.
In 1962, Steve Alaimo was the first to record Alexander's "Every Day I Have to Cry", which reached No.46 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Dusty Springfield also recorded the song for her first UK solo EP, "I Only Want to Be With You", released in 1964.
In the mid-1960s, Alexander switched to another label, Sound Stage 7, but failed to find commercial success. Although a 1972 album for Warner Brothers was promising, the singer's potential seemed to wither. He secured a pop hit with "Every Day I Have to Cry Some" on Buddah Records in 1975, but the success remained short-lived. The song was also covered by Ike and Tina Turner, the McCoys, Dusty Springfield, Joe Stampley, C.J. Chenier, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Gentrys and others. The follow-up single "Sharing The Night Together" reached No. 92 on the R&B charts, but earned Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show a Top 10 hit in 1978; the Dr. Hook version was used in the 2012 Family Guy episode "Mr. and Mrs. Stewie".
That same year, he first recorded "Burning Love", which would be covered by Elvis Presley.
For many years, Alexander was out of the music business; he was a bus driver for much of this time. In 1990, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He began to perform again in 1993 as renewed interest was shown in his back catalogue. His last album, Lonely Just Like Me, was his first in 21 years.
He signed a new recording/publishing contract in May 1993 but suffered a fatal heart attack on June 9, 1993, in Nashville, three days after performing there with his new band. He is buried in Florence City Cemetery in Florence, Alabama.

Legacy

Alexander is the only songwriter whose songs have been covered on studio albums by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. In 1987, Paul McCartney claimed that "If the Beatles wanted a sound, it was R&B. That's what we used to listen to and what we wanted to be like. Black, that was basically it. Arthur Alexander."

Discography

Singles

EPs

  • Arthur Alexander, Dot 655
  • Alexander The Great!, London 1364
  • Arthur Alexander, London 1401
  • A Shot of Rhythm and Blues, El Toro 15.086

    Studio albums

  • You Better Move On, Dot & London
  • Arthur Alexander, Warner Brothers
  • Lonely Just Like Me, Nonesuch/Elektra

    Album reissues

  • Story Of Rock 'N' Roll Ariola
  • Arthur Alexander Ace
  • You Better Move On MCA
  • You Better Move On Hoodoo Records
  • Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings Warner Archives
  • Lonely Just Like Me: The Final Chapter Hacktone
  • Arthur Alexander: Expanded Edition Omnivore

    Compilation albums

  • Various Artists – Greatest Rhythm And Blues Stars Guest Star
  • Carl Perkins – Sing A Song With Me Koala
  • A Shot Of Rhythm And Soul Ace
  • Soldier Of Love Ace
  • The Greatest Ace
  • The Ultimate Arthur Alexander Razor & Tie
  • Jon Tiven's Ego Trip – Blue Guru Fountainbleu
  • Various Artists – Bill Haney's Atlanta Soul Brotherhood Kent
  • Various Artists – Bill Haney's Atlanta Soul Brotherhood Vol 2 Kent
  • The Monument Years Ace

    Tribute albums

  • Various Artists: Adios Amigo: A Tribute To Arthur Alexander Razor And Tie
  • Donnie Fritts: June – A Tribute To Arthur Alexander
;Discography notes

Songs written by Alexander