Al Green

Al Green was one of the greatest soul singers of the 70s. His emotive voice crooned some of the greatest love ballads of the decade, particularly during his peak period between 1971-75. His big breakthrough was his third album Al Green Gets Next to You (1971), which included “Tired of Being Alone”. Let’s Stay Together (1972) included a title track that topped the pop charts, and a beautiful cover of the Bee Gees’ “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?”. Just a few months later he released I’m Still in Love With You, another critically acclaimed record that included the classics “Love and Happiness” and “Simply Beautiful”. Call Me (1973) was yet another hit, and remains arguably his most acclaimed album today.

Much like fellow soul superstar Marvin Gaye, Al Green always struggled to reconcile his pop-star lifestyle with the religious values instilled in him as a child. A turning point occurred in October 1974, when a spurned girlfriend broke into his house, poured boiling grits on him as he showered, and then killed herself in his bedroom. Green took this as a sign from God, and by 1976 had become an ordained pastor. Meanwhile his sales were slipping, and even critical praise for The Belle Album (1977) couldn’t revive his popularity. After an on-stage accident in 1979, Green turned away from secular music, focusing solely on gospel for the next decade.