If a recording act is looking for material, Florence, Alabama is a good place to start. W.C. Handy, “The Father of the Blues,” was born there, as was legendary Sun Records producer Sam Phillips. Less celebrated but still significant is singer-songwriter Arthur Alexander, also a native of the northwestern Alabama town. Alexander is often overlooked in music circles today, despite a career spanning over three decades until his death in ’93. He had several hits but his albums are seldom found in stores. Because he emerged during an era of R&B singers such as Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, it’s been easy for some to pass him by. Yet Arthur Alexander’s career is known for something no other songwriter could ever lay claim to: The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan all recorded at least one of his songs.**
"Anna" and Arthur Alexander's Hat Trick
"Anna" and Arthur Alexander's Hat Trick
"Anna" and Arthur Alexander's Hat Trick
If a recording act is looking for material, Florence, Alabama is a good place to start. W.C. Handy, “The Father of the Blues,” was born there, as was legendary Sun Records producer Sam Phillips. Less celebrated but still significant is singer-songwriter Arthur Alexander, also a native of the northwestern Alabama town. Alexander is often overlooked in music circles today, despite a career spanning over three decades until his death in ’93. He had several hits but his albums are seldom found in stores. Because he emerged during an era of R&B singers such as Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, it’s been easy for some to pass him by. Yet Arthur Alexander’s career is known for something no other songwriter could ever lay claim to: The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan all recorded at least one of his songs.**