3.(June 1942)- 26 December 1999 Curtis Mayfield the Gentle Genius

Curtis Mayfield is absolutely my favourite artist of all time-no question

He is an artist who like no other explored and talked about the struggles and triumphs of the African American Community during the Civil rights era and beyond

I could discuss Mayfield as artist

-who not only wrote memorable songs for his own band the Impressions and for himself but who also wrote and produced for a host of other acts (Major Lance, the Stairsteps, the Staple Singers, Aretha Franklin, I could go on)

-his voice and his sweet unique guitar playing (developed because he tuned his guitar to a piano)
- his deeply poetic lyrics (writing songs based on Homer at a tender age) which were always filled with positive and uplifting messages

I could also discuss Mayfield as a man

-At the age of 17 he set up his own publishing company, realising that the key to African American empowerment lay in owning their own resources

-who gave messages of pride and encouragement to the African American community years before it was fashionable even if meant getting his records banned (as We're a winner was)

-Who lived his life with dignity and compassion for all, and fought for the dignity of all as Danny Kelly put it