An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization.

In general, archives consist of records that have been selected for permanent or long-term preservation on grounds of their enduring cultural, historical, or evidentiary value. Archival records are normally unpublished and almost always unique, unlike books or magazines for which many identical copies exist. This means that archives (the places) are quite distinct from libraries with regard to their functions and organization, although archival collections can often be found within library buildings.

A person who works in archives is called an archivist. The study and practice of organizing, preserving, and providing access to information and materials in archives is called archival science.

When referring to historical records or the places they are kept, the plural form ''archives'' is chiefly used. Archivists tend to prefer the term "archives" (with an S) as the correct terminology to serve as both the singular and plural, since "archive," as a noun or a verb, has acquired meanings related to computer science.

Etymology

First attested in English in early 17th century, the word ''archive'' () is derived from the French ''archives'' (plural), in turn from Latin ''archīum'' or ''archīvum'', which is the romanized form of the Greek ''ἀρχεῖον'' (''arkheion''), "public records, town-hall, residence or office of chief magistrates", itself from ''ἀρχή'' (''arkhē''), amongst others "magistracy, office, government" (compare an-archy, mon-archy), which comes from the verb ''ἄρχω'' (''arkhō''), "to begin, rule, govern".

The word originally developed from the Greek '''' (arkheion) which refers to the home or dwelling of the Archon, in which important official state documents were filed and interpreted under the authority of the Archon. The adjective formed from ''archive'' is ''archival''.

Users and institutions

Historians, genealogists, lawyers, demographers, filmmakers, and others conduct research at archives. The research process at each archive is unique, and depends upon the institution in which the archive is housed. While there are many different kinds of archives, the most recent census of archivists in the United States identified five major types: academic, business (for profit), government, non-profit, and other. There are also four main areas of inquiry involved with archives: material technologies, organizing principles, geographic locations, and tangled embodiments of humans and non-humans. These areas help to further categorize what kind of archive is being created.

Academic

Archives in colleges, universities, and other educational facilities are typically housed within a library, and duties may be carried out by an archivist or a librarian. Occasionally, history professors may also run a smaller archive. Academic archives exist to preserve and celebrate the history of their school and academic community. An academic archive may contain items such as papers of former professors and presidents, memorabilia related to school organizations and activities, and items the academic library wishes to remain in a closed-stack setting, such as rare books or thesis copies. Access to some of these archives is by appointment only; others have posted hours. Users of academic archives can be undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff, scholarly researchers, and the general public. Many academic archives work closely with alumni relations departments or other campus institutions to help raise funds for their library or school. Because of their library setting, a degree certified by the American Library Association is preferred for employment in an academic archive in the United States.

Business (for profit)

Archives located in for-profit institutions are usually those owned by a private business. Examples of prominent business archives in the United States include Coca-Cola (which also owns the separate museum World of Coca-Cola), Procter and Gamble, Motorola Heritage Services and Archives, and Levi Strauss & Co. These corporate archives maintain historic documents and items related to the history and administration of their companies. Business archives serve the purpose of helping their corporations maintain control over their brand by retaining memories of the company's past. Especially in business archives, records management is separate from the historic aspect of archives. Workers in these types of archives may have any combination of training and degrees, from either a history or library background. These archives are typically not open to the public and only used by workers of the owner company, although some will allow approved visitors by appointment. Business archives are concerned with maintaining the integrity of their company, and are therefore selective of how their materials may be used.

Government

Government archives include those maintained by local and state government as well as those maintained by the national (or federal) government. Anyone may use a government archive, and frequent users include reporters, genealogists, writers, historians, students, and people seeking information on the history of their home or region. Many government archives are open to the public and no appointment is required to visit.

In the United States, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) maintains central archival facilities in the District of Columbia and College Park, Maryland, with regional facilities distributed throughout the United States. Some city or local governments may have repositories, but their organization and accessibility varies widely. State or province archives typically require at least a bachelor's degree in history for employment, although some ask for certification by test (government or association) as well.

In the UK the National Archives , formerly known as the Public Record Office, is the government archive for England and Wales. The National Monuments Record is the public archive of English Heritage. The National Archives of Scotland , located in Edinburgh, serve that country while the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast is the government archive for Northern Ireland.

A network of local authority-run record offices and archives exists throughout England, Wales and Scotland and holds many important collections, including local government, landed estates, church and business records. Many archives have contributed catalogues to the national Access 2 Archives programme and online searching across collections is possible.

In France, the French Archives Administration (''Service interministériel des Archives de France'') in the Ministry of Culture manages the National Archives (''Archives nationales'') which possess 406 km. (252 miles) of archives as of 2010 (the total length of occupied shelves put next to each other), with original records going as far back as A.D. 625, as well as the departmental archives (''archives départementales''), located in the ''préfectures'' of each of the 100 ''départements'' of France, which possess 2,297 km. (1,427 miles) of archives (as of 2010), and also the local city archives, about 600 in total, which possess 456 km. (283,4 miles) of archives (as of 2010). Put together, the total volume of archives under the supervision of the French Archives Administration is the largest in the world.

In India the National Archives are located in New Delhi.

In Taiwan the National Archives Administration are located in Taipei.

Most intergovernmental organisations keep their own historical archives. However, a number of European organisations, including the European Commission, choose to deposit their archives with the European University Institute in Florence.

Church

A prominent Church Archives is the Vatican Secret Archive. Archdioceses, dioceses and parishes also have archives in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. The records in these archives include manuscripts, papal records, local Church records, photographs, oral histories, audiovisual materials, and architectural drawings.

Most Protestant denominations have archives as well, including the Presbyterian U.S.A Historical Society,, The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, the United Methodist Archives and History Center of the United Methodist Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Non-profit

Non-profit archives include those in historical societies, not-for-profit businesses such as hospitals, and the repositories within foundations. Non-profit archives are typically set up with private funds from donors to preserve the papers and history of specific persons or places. Often these institutions rely on grant funding from the government as well as the private funds. Depending on the funds available, non-profit archives may be as small as the historical society in a rural town to as big as a state historical society that rivals a government archives. Users of this type of archive may vary as much as the institutions that hold them. Employees of non-profit archives may be professional archivists, para-professionals, or volunteers, as the education required for a position at a non-profit archive varies with the demands of the collection's user base.

Web archiving

The process of collecting data from the World Wide Web and preserving it in an archive, such as an archive site, for the web user to see. See Website Archiving. Examples of web archives:

Side bars

Blogs

Calendar

Tag cloud

News websites

Other

Some archives defy categorization. There are tribal archives within the Native American nations in North America, and there are archives that exist within the papers of private individuals. Many museums keep archives in order to prove the provenance of their pieces. Any institution or persons wishing to keep their significant papers in an organized fashion that employs the most basic principles of archival science may have an archive. In the 2004 census of archivists taken in the United States, 2.7% of archivists were employed in institutions that defied categorization. This was a separate figure from the 1.3% that identified themselves as self-employed.

Another type of archive is public secrets . This is an interactive testimonial in which women incarcerated in the California State Prison System reveal their stories about what happened to them. The function of the archive is to unfold the stories of the women who want to express themselves and want their stories to be heard. This collection of stories includes the women's direct speeches and also a recording of the women saying their speech.

The archives of an individual may include letters, papers, photographs, computer files, scrapbooks, financial records or diaries created or collected by the individual – regardless of media or format. The archives of an organization (such as a corporation or government) tend to contain other types of records, such as administrative files, business records, memos, official correspondence and meeting minutes.

History

The word "archive" can refer to any organised body of records fixed on media. The management of archives is essential for effective day-to-day organisational decision making, and even for the survival of organisations. Archives were well developed by the ancient Chinese, the ancient Greeks, and ancient Romans. Modern archival thinking has many roots in the French Revolution. The French National Archives, who possess perhaps the largest archival collection in the world, with records going as far back as A.D. 625, were created in 1790 during the French Revolution from various government, religious, and private archives seized by the revolutionaries.

Standardization

The International Council on Archives (ICA) has developed a number of standards on archival description including the General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G). ISAD(G) is meant to be used in conjunction with national standards or as a basis for nations to build their own standards. In the United States, ISAD(G) is implemented through Describing Archives: A Content Standard, popularly known as "DACS". In Canada, ISAD(G) is implemented through Rules for Archival Description, also known as "RAD".

ISO is currently working on standards.

See also

Archival informatics

Archival research

Archival science

Archive Fever (book by Jacques Derrida)

Archivist

BS 5454

Collection (museum)

Computer data storage

Data proliferation

Digital preservation

Discovered text (archaeology)

Greenstone (software)

Information repository

Internet Archive

International Council on Archives

List of archives

Manuscript processing

Preservation (library and archival science)

Web archiving

Database

Notes

External links

UNESCO Archives Portal – over 8000 links worldwide

International Council on Archives

Archives Hub — gateway to descriptions of archives held in UK universities and colleges, part of the National Archives Network

InterPARES Project — international research project on the long-term preservation of authentic digital records

Access to Archives (A2A) — the English strand of the UK archives network

Online-Guide to Archives around the globe

The Changing World of Records Storage

AIM25 – archives within the UK M25 area.

British Cartoon Archive associated with the University of Kent

The Digital Archive of Literacy Narratives

Banco di San Giorgio – Genova Italy: Archive (1407–1805): nearly 40,000 books catalogued with full description. www.giuseppefelloni.it

Forward Anywhere

Public Secret

R-Shief

Database as a Sybolic Form – An Essay by Lev Manovitch

Slavic Archives

* Category:Historical documents Category:Greek loanwords

ar:ربائد az:Arxiv bs:Arhiv br:Diell bg:Архив ca:Arxiu cs:Archiv de:Archiv et:Arhiiv el:Αρχείο es:Archivo de documentos eo:Arkivo fa:بایگانی fr:Archives gl:Arquivo ko:기록 보관소 hr:Arhiv io:Arkivo id:Arsip iu:ᓂᐱ/nipi it:Archivio he:ארכיון la:Archivum lt:Archyvas hu:Levéltár ms:Arkib nl:Archief ja:公文書館 no:Arkiv pt:Arquivo ru:Архив sq:Arkivi scn:Archiviu simple:Archive sk:Archív (inštitúcia) sl:Arhiv sr:Архив sh:Arhivalije fi:Arkisto sv:Arkiv ta:ஆவணக் காப்பகம் th:จดหมายเหตุ tr:Arşiv uk:Архів zh:檔案

name	Phoebe Snow
background	solo_singer
birth name	Phoebe Ann Laub
birth date	July 17, 1950
birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
death date	April 26, 2011
death place	Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
genre	Folk rock, soft rock
occupation	Singer-songwriter
instrument	Guitar, vocals
years active	1972–2010
label	Shelter, Columbia, Atlantic, Eagle
associated acts	Sisters of Glory }}

Phoebe Snow (born Phoebe Ann Laub; July 17, 1950 – April 26, 2011) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for her chart-topping 1975 hit "Poetry Man".

She was described by ''The New York Times'' as a "contralto grounded in a bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four octaves."

Personal life

She was born in New York City in 1950, and raised in a musical household in which Delta blues, Broadway show tunes, Dixieland jazz, classical music, and folk music recordings were played around the clock. Her father, Merrill Laub, an exterminator by trade, had an encyclopedic knowledge of American film and theater and was also an avid collector and restorer of antiques. Her mother, Lili Laub, was a dance teacher who had performed with the Martha Graham group.

Snow grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and graduated from Teaneck High School. She subsequently attended Shimer College in Mount Carroll, Illinois, but did not graduate.

As a student, she carried her prized Martin 00018 acoustic guitar from club to club in Greenwich Village, playing and singing on amateur nights. Her stage name is a fictional advertising character created in the early 1900s for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad: Phoebe Snow was a young woman who appeared on boxcars.

Snow was briefly married to Phil Kearns, and in December 1975 she gave birth to a severely mentally impaired daughter, Valerie Rose. Snow resolved not to institutionalize Valerie, and cared for her at home until Valerie died on March 18, 2007 at the age of 31. Snow's efforts to care for Valerie nearly ended her career.

Snow continued to take voice lessons, and she studied opera informally.

Professional life

It was at The Bitter End club in 1972 that Denny Cordell, a promotions executive for Shelter Records, was so taken by the singer that he signed her to the label and produced her first recording. She released an eponymous album, ''Phoebe Snow'', in 1974. Featuring guest performances by The Persuasions, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson, David Bromberg, and Dave Mason, Snow's album went on to sell over a million copies in the United States and became one of the most acclaimed recordings of the era. It spawned a Top Five single on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Poetry Man" and was itself a Top Five album in ''Billboard'', which won Snow a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and established her as a singer/songwriter. The cover of ''Rolling Stone'' magazine followed, while she performed as the opening act for tours by Jackson Browne and Paul Simon (with whom she recorded the hit single "Gone at Last" in 1975). 1975 also brought the first of several appearances as a musical guest on ''Saturday Night Live'', on which Snow performed both solo and in duets with Paul Simon and Linda Ronstadt. During the 1975 appearance, she was seven months pregnant with her daughter, Valerie.

Snow's backup vocal is heard on Paul Simon's hit song "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" along with Valerie Simpson and Patti Austin, from 1975. She also duets with him on the song gospel-tinged "Gone At Last." Both songs appear on Simon's Grammy-winning 1975 album "Still Crazy After All These Years".

Legal battles took place between Snow and Shelter Records. Snow ended up signed to Columbia Records. Her second album, ''Second Childhood'', appeared in 1976, produced by Phil Ramone. It was jazzier and more introspective, and suffered disappointing sales. Snow moved to a harder sound for ''It Looks Like Snow'', released later in 1976 with David Rubinson producing. 1977 saw ''Never Letting Go'', again with Ramone, while 1978's ''Against the Grain'' was helmed by Barry Beckett. After that Snow parted ways with Columbia; she would later say that the stress of her parental obligations degraded her ability to make music effectively. In 1981, Snow, now signed with Mirage Records, released ''Rock Away'', recorded with members of Billy Joel's band; it spun off the Top 50 hit "Games". The 1983 ''Rolling Stone Record Guide'' summed up Snow's career so far by saying: "One of the most gifted voices of her generation, Phoebe Snow can do just about anything stylistically as well as technically ... The question that's still unanswered is how best to channel such talent." However, Snow would now spend long periods away from recording, often singing commercial jingles for AT&T and others in order to support herself and her daughter. During the 1980s she also battled her own life-threatening illness.

Snow returned to recording with ''Something Real'' in 1989 and gathered a few more hits on the Adult Contemporary charts. Also, Snow composed the Detroit's WDIV-TV Go 4 It! campaign in 1980. She sang ''Ancient Places, Sacred Lands'' composed by Steve Horelick, http://stevehmusic.com/phoebesnow, on Reading Rainbow's tenth episode ''The Gift of the Sacred Dog'' which was based on the book by Paul Goble and narrated by actor Michael Ansara. It was shot at Crow Agency, Montana in 1983.

Snow performed in 1989 on stage at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City as part of Our Common Future, a five hour live television broadcast originating from several countries.

In 1990, she contributed a cover version of the Delaney & Bonnie song ''"Get ourselves together"'' to the Elektra compilation Rubáiyát which included Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Dick Smith. In 1992, she toured with Donald Fagen's New York Rock and Soul Revue and was featured on the group's album recorded live at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Even when she was not recording her own works, Phoebe continued to tour extensively as a solo artist throughout North America, Great Britain, Germany, and the Far East.

Throughout the 1990s she made numerous appearances on the Howard Stern radio show. She sang live for specials and birthday shows.

In 1997, she sang the ''Roseanne'' theme song ''a cappella'' during the closing moments of the final episode.

Snow has performed with a numerous artists including Lou Rawls, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Grusin, Avenue Blue with Jeff Golub, Garland Jeffreys, Jewel, Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Queen, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Jackson Browne, Dave Mason, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Cyndi Lauper, Roger Daltrey, Chaka Khan, CeCe Peniston, Take 6, Michael Bolton, Thelma Houston, Mavis Staples, Laurie Anderson, Tracy Nelson and The Sisters of Glory (with whom she performed at the second Woodstock festival), among others. She also sings the title track on the 1997 Laura Nyro tribute album, ''Time and Love'', and recently Snow joined the pop group, Zap Mama, who recorded its own version of "Poetry Man," in an impromptu duet on the PBS series, "Sessions At West 54th." Hawaiian girl group Na Leo also had a hit on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1999 with their cover version of "Poetry Man."

In May 1998, Snow received the Cultural Achievement Award by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. She was also the recipient of a Don Kirschner Rock Award, several Playboy Music Poll Awards, New York Music Awards and the Clio Award.

She performed for U.S. President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and his cabinet at Camp David in 1999.

In 2003, Snow released her album ''Natural Wonder'' on Eagle Records, containing ten original tracks, her first original material in fourteen years.

Snow performed at Howard Stern's wedding in 2008, and made a special appearance in the film ''Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom'' as herself. Some of her music was also featured on the soundtrack of the film. Her ''Live'' album (2008) featured many of her hits as well as a cover of "Piece of My Heart."

Prior to her stroke, Snow had planned to release a new album in 2010, and had been scheduled to begin touring with her band in March.

Death

Snow suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on January 19, 2010 and slipped into a coma, enduring bouts of blood clots, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. Snow died on April 26, 2011 at age 60 in Edison, New Jersey.

Discography

Albums

1974: ''Phoebe Snow'' (Platinum)

1976: ''Second Childhood'' (Gold)

1976: ''It Looks Like Snow''

1977: ''Never Letting Go''

1978: ''Against the Grain''

1981: ''The Best of Phoebe Snow''

1981: ''Rock Away''

1989: ''Something Real''

1991: ''The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon''

1994: ''Phoebe Snow (Gold Disc)''

1995: ''P.S.''

1995: ''Good News In Hard Times'' (with The Sisters of Glory)

1998: ''I Can't Complain''

2002: ''Very Best of Phoebe Snow''

2003: ''Natural Wonder''

2008: ''Live''

Compilations

1982: ''The Best of Phoebe Snow''

1995: ''P.S.''

2001: ''The Very Best of Phoebe Snow''

Singles

"Poetry Man" b/w "Easy Street" (non-album track included as a bonus on CD) (January 1975) – U.S. #5 Pop / #1 adult contemporary "Harpo's Blues" (May 1975) – U.S. #20 adult contemporary "Gone at Last" (August 1975) (with Paul Simon and Jessy Dixon Singers) – U.S. #23 Pop / #9 adult contemporary "Shakey Ground" (January 1977) – U.S. #70 pop "Every Night" (January 1979) – UK #37 "Games" (February 1981) – U.S. #46 pop "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (May 1981) – U.S. #52 pop "Dreams I Dream" (with Dave Mason) (January 1988) – U.S. #11 adult contemporary "Three Little Birds" duet with Gregory Abbott (2003) – pop Caribbean "If I Can Just Get Through the Night" (April 1989) — U.S. #13 adult contemporary "Something Real" (July 1989) — U.S. #29 adult contemporary

With other artists

"Hymn" (''Aftertones'' album 1975) – with Janis Ian

"Thankful N'Thoughtful" (''Night Lines'' album 1990) – with Dave Grusin

"Between Old and New York" (''Night Lines'' album 1990) – with Dave Grusin

"Tossin' and Turnin'" (''Johnnie Be Back'' album 1991) – with Johnnie Johnson

"Sometimes Love Forgets" ("Hot Spot") Elektra Asylum album 1980; with [Steve Goodman]

"Gone at Last" ("Still Crazy After All These Years") Columbia album 1975; with [Paul Simon]

Cultural references

In television drama series ''The Sopranos'' (1999–2007), Janice Soprano is said to have named her son Harpo after Snow's song "Harpo's Blues".

See also

List of people from New York City

List of people from Teaneck, New Jersey

List of singer-songwriters

References

External links

Biography at her official Web site

Unofficial fan site

''Soul Covers'' by Michael Awkward featuring research on Phoebe Snow

Category:1950 births Category:2011 deaths Category:20th-century American people Category:20th-century singers Category:21st-century American people Category:American contraltos Category:American female guitarists Category:American female singers Category:American folk singers Category:American pop singer-songwriters Category:Cardiovascular disease deaths in New Jersey Category:Deaths from cerebral hemorrhage Category:People from Teaneck, New Jersey Category:Shimer College alumni Category:Singers from New York City Category:Songwriters from New Jersey Category:Songwriters from New York

de:Phoebe Snow es:Phoebe Snow nl:Phoebe Snow ja:フィービ・スノウ no:Phoebe Snow pl:Phoebe Snow sv:Phoebe Snow

name	King Curtis
background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
birth name	Curtis Ousley
born	February 07, 1934Fort Worth, Texas
died	August 13, 1971 (aged 37)New York, New York
Instrument	Saxophone
genre	Soul, R&B, rock, funk, jazz
occupation	Musician, bandleader, producer
years active	1950–1971
label	King, Prestige, True Sound, Capitol, Atlantic, Groove
associated acts	Aretha Franklin, The Coasters, The King Pins, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, The Shirelles, The Noble Band, Cornell Dupree
notable instruments	}}

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".

Career

King Curtis started playing saxophone at the age of twelve in the Fort Worth area. He took interest in many musical genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, and popular music. As a student pursuing music he turned down college scholarships in order to join the Lionel Hampton Band. During his time with Lionel Hampton he was able to write and arrange music and learn guitar. In 1952 Curtis decided to move to New York and became a session musician, recording for such labels as Prestige, Enjoy, Capitol, and Atco. He recorded with Nat Adderley and Wynton Kelly, Buddy Holly and Andy Williams.

Stylistically, Curtis took inspiration from saxophonists Lester Young, Louis Jordan, Illinois Jacquet, Earl Bostic, and Gene Ammons. Known for his syncopated and percussive style, he was both versatile and powerful as a musician. He put together a group during his time as a session musician including Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Jerry Jemmott, and Bernard Purdie.

Move into Rock

King Curtis enjoyed playing jazz and rock but decided he would make more money as a rock musician. From the 1950s until the mid 1960s, he worked as a session player, recording under his own name and with others such as the Coasters, with whom he recorded "Yakety Yak." Buddy Holly hired him for session work, during which they recorded "Reminiscing." Buddy wrote this song, but gave Curtis the songwriting credit for flying down to the session. His best-known singles from this period are "Soul Twist" and "Soul Serenade."

In 1965, he moved to Atlantic Records and recorded his most successful singles, "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). He worked with The Coasters, led Aretha Franklin's backing band ''The Kingpins''. The Kingpins opened for The Beatles during their 1965 performance at Shea Stadium. Curtis produced records, often working with Jerry Wexler and recorded for Groove Records during this period.

In 1970, he appeared with Aretha Franklin and ''The King Pins'' on ''Aretha Live at Fillmore West'', and another record, ''Live at Fillmore West'', which included a version of "Memphis Soul Stew" and covers of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", Isaac Hayes' "I Stand Accused" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". The line-up for these performances included: Hammond organ player Billy Preston, bassist Jerry Jemmott, guitarist Cornell Dupree, Pancho Morales (percussion), drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and The Memphis Horns. A cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" was taken from this album, and used as the title music in the cult British comedy film, ''Withnail & I''. In July 1971, Curtis recorded saxophone solos on "It's So Hard" and "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama I Don't Wanna Die" from John Lennon's ''Imagine''. Along with The Rimshots, he recorded the original theme song for the 1971 hit television show, ''Soul Train''.

Death

Around midnight on August 13, 1971 Curtis was lugging an air-conditioning unit towards his brownstone apartment on West 86th Street in New York City when he noticed two junkies were using drugs on the steps to his home. When he asked them to leave, an argument started. The argument quickly became heated and turned into a fist fight with one of the men, 26-year old Juan Montañez. Suddenly, Montañez pulled out a knife and stabbed Curtis in the chest. Curtis managed to wrestle the knife away and stab his assailant four times before collapsing. Montañez staggered away from the scene and Curtis was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where he died from his wounds less than an hour later.

Montañez was arrested at the same hospital Curtis had been taken to. When police officers investigating the murder learned that another man had been admitted to Roosevelt hospital with stab wounds around the same time as Curtis, they quickly realized that the two events were connected. Montañez was charged with Curtis' murder and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

On the day of Curtis' funeral Atlantic Records closed their offices. Jesse Jackson administered the service and as the mourners filed in, Curtis's band 'The Kingpins' played "Soul Serenade". Amongst those attending were Aretha Franklin, Cissy Houston, Brook Benton and Duane Allman. Franklin sang the closing spiritual "Never Grow Old" and Stevie Wonder performed "Abraham, Martin & John and now King Curtis".

Curtis was subsequently buried in a red granite-fronted wall crypt in the 'West Gallery of Forsythia Court' mausoleum at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, New York, the same cemetery that holds Jazz greats Count Basie and John Coltrane.

Awards

In 1970, Curtis won the Best R&B Instrumental Performance Grammy for "Games People Play".

Curtis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.

Discography

King Curtis

''The Good Old Fifties'' (1959)

''Have Tenor Sax, Will Blow'' (1959)

''Azure'' (1960)

''King Soul'' (1960)

''Soul Meeting'' (1960)

''Party Time'' (1961)

''Trouble in Mind'' (1961)

''Old Gold'' (1961)

''Night Train'' (1961)

''Doin' the Dixie Twist'' (1962)

''Country Soul'' (1962)

''Soul Twist and other Golden Classics'' (1962)

''It's Party Time'' (1962)

''The Best of'' (1962)

''Soul Serenade'' (1964)

''Plays Hits made by Sam Cooke'' (1965)

''That Lovin' Feeling'' (1966)

''Live at Small's Paradise'' (1966)

''Play Great Memphis Hits'' (1967)

''Memphis Soul Stew'' (1967)

''Sweet Soul'' (1968)

''Sax in Motion'' (1968)

''Instant Groove'' (1969)

''Everybody Talkin'' (1970)

''Get Ready'' (1970)

''Blues at Montreux'' (1971)

King Curtis and The Kingpins

''Soul Twist'' (1962) with The Noble Knights

''The Shirelles & King Curtis Give A Twist Party'' (1962) with The Shirelles a/k/a ''Eternally, Soul'' (1968)

''King Size Soul'' (1967)

''Live at Fillmore West'' (1971)

References

Bibliography

Clifford, Mike: Futrell, John and Bonds, Ray. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Black music''. Harmony Books (1982). Digitized 29 Dec (2006)

Kernfield, Barry Dean. ''Newgrove Dictionary of Jazz. Grove's Dictionaries'' (2002). Digitized 21 Dec 2006. ISBN 9781561592845

Shaw, Arnold. ''Honkers and Shouters''. Macmillan Publishing Company (1978). Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 0020617402

Poe, Randy and Gibbons, Billy F. ''Sky Dog''. Backbeat Books (2006) ISBN 9780879308919

Category:1934 births Category:1971 deaths Category:Soul-jazz musicians Category:African American musicians Category:African American singers Category:American jazz saxophonists Category:American male singers Category:Soul-jazz saxophonists Category:American rock saxophonists Category:American session musicians Category:American soul musicians Category:American bandleaders Category:People from Fort Worth, Texas Category:Murdered musicians Category:People murdered in New York Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Delaney & Bonnie & Friends members Category:The Coasters members Category:Groove Records artists Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Prestige Records artists

cs:King Curtis de:King Curtis es:King Curtis fr:King Curtis he:קינג קרטיס ja:キング・カーティス fi:King Curtis