Curtis Mayfield ~ Freddie's Dead 1972 Funky Purrfection Version

Curtis Mayfield was a Chicago native, born June 3, 1942, one of five children of Marion Washington and Kenneth Mayfield. Kenneth abandoned his marriage and children and left them to fend for themselves. Marion did her best to keep the family together, moving frequently until she moved them to Cabrini Green, a government run housing project. With a family history of gospel testifying, he joined the Northern Jubilee Gospel singers at the age of 7. Seven years later he formed his first band, the Alphatones and also missed out on an opportunity when his mother would not allow him to go with the gospel choir to New York that same year. Soon, he joined the Roosters that his friend Jerry Butler had organized. He began to write songs, and when the band changed their name to the Impressions, began a run of hits with "Gypsy Woman" with Curtis handing the lead vocals. Going solo in 1970, he reached the pinnacle of success with his songs from the movie soundtrack of "Super Fly" in 1972. Mayfield's lyrics dealt with criticisms and reality of the status quo, in other words he was "telling it like it is". Accused of glorifying violence, he retorted that "The way you clean up the films is by cleaning up the streets". Part of the socially conscious movement of recording artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, he then built on his success by lending his production talents to Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Staple Singers and then Mavis Staples when she went solo. In the 80's he moved his family to Atlanta, GA and closed down Curtom Studio. He continued to perform until 1990, when stage lighting fell on him during an outdoor concert that paralyzed him from the neck down. Even then, Curtis continued to compose and sing, putting out one final LP, "New World Order". The recording process was long and arduous, since Mayfield could only sing one line at a time. He began to reap the awards of his work with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award that he received in 1995. More misfortune struck him when his diabetes caused him to have his right leg amputated in 1998. The following year he was unable to attend his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. He lent his voice to Bran Van 3000 single "Astounded" released in 2001. His death on December 26, 1999 was due to the complications of diabetes that had steadily declined his health after his unfortunate concert accident. He left behind a treasure trove of pop and soul hits that still resonate today. "Freddie's Dead" was used to hilarious effect on "Sanford & Son" when Fred ate spoiled greens which he mistakenly thought was going to kill him. He turned on the radio next to his bed, and out comes the words "Freddie's Dead". See the clip here    • Freddie's Dead   but be prepared to laugh in spite of the dark lyrics of the rest of the song.