Biography for
Curtis Mayfield More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

3 June 1942, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Date of Death

26 December 1999, Roswell, Georgia, USA (complications of diabetes)

Nickname

The Gentle Genius

Mini Biography

Rhythm and blues performer/songwriter credited with defining 1960's Chicago sound in hits like "It's All Right" and "Gypsy Woman." His style influenced other artists from pop to hip hop. Has been a quadriplegic ever since he was struck by lighting rig during outdoor concert in New York, 1990. Member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose 1968 hit "We're A Winner, " became a civil rights anthem. Two-time Grammy winner whose "Superfly" soundtrack sold more than 4 million copies.

IMDb Mini Biography By: mwprods@mindspring.com

Spouse

Altheida

(? - 26 December 1999) (his death)

Trivia

Fathered ten children, who gave him seven grandchildren by the time of his death.

In 1990, an onstage accident in Brooklyn NY left him paralyzed from the neck down. In 1998, doctors amputated his right leg because of diabetes brought on by the injury.

Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Impressions (1991) and as a solo artist (1999).

Posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. He learned of the honor shortly before his death and his family attended the event, which was held June 15, 2000 in the Imperial Ballroom of the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. Brian McKnight did the induction honors and performed Mayfield's "People Get Ready" at the ceremony.

Mayfield received the Grammy Legend Award in 1994, the Grammy Lifetime Achivement Award in 1995 and in 1998 "Superfly" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in the Film & TV Soundtracks (Album) category. Mayfield never won a competitive Grammy.

Founder of Curtom Records.

Founder of Windy C Records.