Willie Mitchell, Memphis-Based Musician and Producer, Dead at 81

Willie Mitchell, a renown musician and producer based out of Memphis, Tennessee, died at the age of 81. According Mitchell's son, Lawrence Mitchell, his father suffered from cardiac on December, 19 2009 and ultimately passed away at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 7:25 a.m.

Mitchell's label, Hi Records of Memphis, represented artists like Al Green in the 1970s and, in more recent times, worked with more contemporary artists like John Mayer and Buddy Guy, both of whom recorded at the Royal Studio, which the late trumpeter owned.

As a trumpeter, Mitchell, along with his band, performed at a number of New Year's parties hosted by Elvis Presley at Presley's Graceland home. Although he was born in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell moved to Memphis for high school where he was a member of a number of popular big band groups in the city. It was in Memphis that Mitchell found his sound and eventually helped define a Memphis scene in the 1970s when he lead Hi Records to its most successful run.

In 2008 Willie Mitchell was honored with the Trustees Award from the Grammy Foundation.

Videos

Willie Mitchell - Mercy

see larger video

sourced by Blaine Metzgar