Curtis Mayfield ( June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an African American soul, funk and R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist probably best known for his soundtrack to the film Superfly.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Roosevelt High School, Mayfield came to prominence as lead singer and songwriter for The Impressions, then went on to a successful solo career. Perhaps most notably, Mayfield was among the first of a new wave of mainstream African-American R&B performing artists and composers who injected social commentary into their work. This "message music" became extremely popular during the period of political ferment and social upheaval of the 1960s and '70s.
Mayfield taught himself how to play guitar, and by instinct he tuned the guitar to the black keys of the piano, which gave him the distinctive open F-sharp tuning -- F#, A#, C#, F#, A#, F# -- that he used throughout his career.
Mayfield's career began in 1956 (see 1956 in music) when he formed The Roosters with Arthur and Richard Brooks and Jerry Butler. Four years later The Roosters, now including also Sam Gooden, became The Impressions. The band had hits with "For Your Precious Love" and "Gypsy Woman." After Butler left the group and was replaced with Fred Cash, Mayfield became lead singer, frequently composing for the band, as well. "Amen", an updated version of an old gospel tune, was included in the soundtrack of 1963 MGM film Lilies of the Field, which starred Sidney Poitier. The Impressions reached the height of their popularity in the mid to late 1960s, with a string of Mayfield compositions that included "Keep On Pushin'", " People Get Ready", "Choice of Colors", "This is My Country", and "We People Who Are Darker than Blue." Mayfield's "We're a Winner" became a virtual anthem of the black power and black pride movements.
