b. 3 January 1928, Ashland, Mississippi, USA. A veteran of several Memphis-based bands, Mitchell rose to prominence in the late 50s with an outfit that formed the basis for his production work and early solo recordings. The line-up included Lewis Steinberg and Al Jackson, both of whom would later appear in Booker T. And The MGs. By the 60s, Mitchell was leading the Hi Records house band. The company was established on the success of Bill Black, the one-time Elvis Presley bassist whose economical instrumental singles suggested the style later forged at the Stax Records studio. Although Black died in 1965, releases bearing his name continued, with Mitchell's group supplying the music. Mitchell's own recording career prospered with such classic Memphis offerings as "20-75" and "Percolatin'" (both 1964), as well as the Junior Walker-influenced groove of "That Driving Beat" and "Everything Is Gonna' Be Alright" (both 1966). "Soul Serenade" was a Top 10 US R&B single in 1968, but his releases were latterly obscured by his work with other artists.

Listen to Willie Mitchell at Finetune.

• (2007)  Willie...Listen...Dance

• Louie Louie
• Soul Finger
• Reachin' Out
• Expressions
• Sparkle

• The Bar-Kays
• Booker T. & The MG's
• Al Green
• O.V. Wright
• Otis Redding
• B.B. King
• Fats Domino
• James Brown
• Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Ann Peebles
• The Delfonics
• Elvis Presley
• Wilson Pickett
• The Kingsmen
• The Beach Boys
• Johnny Cash
• Marvin Gaye
• Aretha Franklin
• Eddie Floyd
• The Shirelles

• winknspin
• menofude
• oocc
• gguyre
• jolesmiles