Michael Henderson
Michael Henderson | |
---|---|
![]() Performing in 1971 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Earl Henderson |
Born | Yazoo City, Mississippi,U.S. | July 7, 1951
Died | July 19, 2022 Dallas, Georgia,U.S. | (aged 71)
Genres | R&B,jazz,funk,soul,pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass |
Years active | 1970–2022 |
Labels | Buddah Records,Arista,EMI-Capitol |
Michael Earl Henderson(July 7, 1951 – July 19, 2022) was an American bass guitarist and vocalist. He was known for his work withMiles Davisin the early 1970s on earlyfusionalbums such asJack Johnson,[1]Live-Evil,andAgharta,[2]along with a series of his own R&B/soul hits and others featuring him on vocals, particularly theNorman Connors-produced hit "You Are My Starship"in 1976 and other songs in the mid to late-1970s.[3]
Early life[edit]
Michael Earl Henderson was born on July 7, 1951, inYazoo City, Mississippi.[4][5][6]In the early 1960s he moved toDetroit,playing as a session musician.[7]
Career[edit]
Henderson was one of the first notable bass guitarists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influentialjazzandsoulmusicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Davis, he played and recorded withMarvin Gaye,Aretha Franklin,Stevie Wonder,the Dramatics,among many others.[7]
Before working with Davis, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at theRegal Theaterin Chicago while warming up for a gig. Davis saw the young Henderson performing at theCopacabanain New York City in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm taking your fucking bassist."[8]After almost seven years with Davis, Henderson focused onsongwritingand singing in a solo career that produced many hit songs and albums forBuddah Recordsuntil his retirement in 1986.[7]Although known primarily forballads,he was an influentialfunkplayer whose riffs and songs have been widely covered. He is also known for his ballad vocalizing on severalNorman Connorshit recordings, including "You Are My Starship" and "Valentine Love", performed with Jean Carn.[7]
Personal life and death[edit]
At the time of his death, Henderson was in a relationship with DaMia Satterfield, and separated from his wife, Adelia Thompson.[6]He had three children, and lived in the Atlanta suburb ofDallas, Georgia,where he died from cancer on July 19, 2022, aged 71.[9][6]
Solo discography[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Michael-Henderson.jpg/180px-Michael-Henderson.jpg)
Studio albums[edit]
Year | Album | Label | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US 200 [10] |
US R&B [10] |
US Jazz [10] | |||
1976 | Solid | Buddah Records | 173 | 10 | 20 |
1977 | Goin' Places | 49 | 18 | 11 | |
1978 | In the Night Time | 38 | 5 | 6 | |
1979 | Do It All | 64 | 17 | — | |
1980 | Wide Receiver | 35 | 6 | — | |
1981 | Slingshot | 86 | 14 | 27 | |
1983 | Fickle | 169 | 41 | — | |
1986 | Bedtime Stories | EMI America | — | 30 | — |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |
Singles[edit]
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Dance [11] |
US R&B [11] |
US Pop [11] | |||
1976 | "Time" | — | — | ― | |
"Be My Girl" | — | 23 | 101 | ||
1977 | "Won't You Be Mine" | — | 82 | — | |
"I Can't Help It" | ― | 27 | 103 | ||
"You Haven't Made It to the Top" | — | 80 | — | ||
1978 | "Take Me I'm Yours" | — | 3 | 88 | |
"In the Night-Time" | — | 15 | ― | ||
1979 | "To Be Loved" | ― | 62 | ― | |
"Do It All" | ― | 56 | ― | ||
1980 | "Reach Out for Me" | ― | 78 | ― | |
"Prove It" | ― | 27 | ― | ||
"Wide Receiver" | 42 | 4 | ― | ||
"You're My Choice" | ― | ― | ― | ||
1981 | "Make It Easy on Yourself" | ― | 68 | ― | |
"(We Are Here to) Geek You Up" | ― | 51 | ― | ||
1983 | "Thin Walls" | ― | ― | ― | |
"Fickle" | ― | 33 | ― | ||
1986 | "Tin Soldier" | ― | 86 | ― | |
"Do It to Me Good (Tonight)" | ― | 17 | ― | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
Collaborations[edit]
This sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(July 2022) |
With Miles Davis[edit]
- A Tribute to Jack Johnson(1971)
- Live-Evil(1971)
- On the Corner(1972)
- In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall(1973)
- Big Fun(1974)
- Get Up with It(1974)
- Agharta(1976)
- Pangaea(1975)
- Dark Magus(1977)
- The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions(Columbia Legacy, 2003)
- The Cellar Door Sessions(2005, recorded 1970)
- The Complete On the Corner Sessions(Columbia Legacy, 2007)
- Miles Davis at Newport 1955–1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4(Columbia Legacy, 2015)
With Stevie Wonder[edit]
With The Dramatics[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Cole, George (2007).The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980–1991.University of Michigan Press. p. 268.ISBN978-0-472-03260-0.
- ^Freeman, Philip (2005).Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis.Hal Leonard. p. 127.ISBN978-1-61774-521-8.
- ^"Michael Henderson: He's now captain of his own starship".Ebony.Vol. 36, no. 3. Johnson Publishing Company. January 1981. p. 68.ISSN0012-9011.
- ^"Happy birthday to Michael Henderson".SoulTracks.December 27, 2019.RetrievedOctober 12,2021.
- ^McCall, Michael (1997). Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; et al. (eds.)."Michael Henderson".All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music.AMG All Music Guides. Hal Leonard Corporation: 88, 208.ISBN978-0-87930-475-1.0879304758.
- ^abcSandomir, Richard (July 23, 2022)."Michael Henderson, Funk Bassist Turned Crooner, Dies at 71".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 23,2022.
- ^abcdWynn, Ron."Artist Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedOctober 12,2021.
- ^Jung, Fred (December 15, 2003)."A Fireside Chat With Michael Henderson".Allthatjazz.com.RetrievedApril 28,2014.
- ^Brodsky, Rachel (July 19, 2022)."Influential Jazz Fusion Bassist And R&B Singer Michael Henderson Dead At 71".Stereogum.RetrievedJuly 19,2022.
- ^abc"Michael Henderson – Awards".AllMusic. Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2012.RetrievedJuly 20,2022.
- ^abc"Michael Henderson Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography".Music VF.RetrievedOctober 12,2021.
External links[edit]
- Michael Hendersondiscography atDiscogs
- Funk: United States
- Michael HendersonatIMDb
- 1951 births
- 2022 deaths
- 20th-century African-American male singers
- 20th-century American male singers
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century African-American musicians
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers
- 21st-century African-American musicians
- 21st-century American bass guitarists
- 21st-century American male musicians
- African-American guitarists
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American funk bass guitarists
- American jazz bass guitarists
- American male bass guitarists
- American male jazz musicians
- American male singers
- American rhythm and blues bass guitarists
- American ballad musicians
- Deaths from cancer in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Guitarists from Detroit
- Guitarists from Mississippi
- Jazz musicians from Michigan
- Jazz musicians from Mississippi
- People from Dallas, Georgia
- People from Yazoo City, Mississippi
- Singers from Detroit
- Singers from Mississippi
- The Lucky Strikes members