Biography
12 August 1920, Minden, Louisiana, USA, d. 11 August 1984, Los Angeles, California, USA. A gifted performer, with a rich soulful voice, the Los Angeles-based Mayfield’s first success came in 1950 with ‘Please Send Me Someone To Love’ on the Specialty Records label. A massive US R&B hit, it reportedly sold well in excess of one million copies and became an enduring composition through its many cover versions including one by Ray Charles. Further chart entries, ‘Lost Love’ (1951) and ‘Big Question’ (1952), confirmed Mayfield’s status, but a terrible car accident suffered in 1953 when he was travelling home to Los Angeles from a gig in Las Vegas drastically curtailed his solo career. The accident cost Mayfield his matinee idol looks and he returned to his home town of Minden, Louisiana. His songwriting took on a darker hue, with songs such as ‘My Jug And I’ and ‘My Bottle Is My Companion’ reflecting his...
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