Hermon Hitson a.k.a. Herman Hitson (born June 7, 1943) is an American guitarist from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He has played with Garnet Mimms, Joe Tex, Bobby Womack, and Wilson Pickett. Hitson has also been at the center of the controversy over the disputed Hendrix "Free Spirit" track.
Hermon Hitson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hermon Lee Hitson |
| Also known as | Herman Hitson |
| Born | June 7, 1943 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, guitarist |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Labels | Atco Records |
Background
editOriginally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Hitson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He formed the Sterophonics in 1959 which was his first band. at that time he only knew a few guitar chords but got the chance to play to the audience because his guitar player never turned up. Seeing a positive reaction from the audience he purchased a guitar the next day. After the Stereophonics finished he formed another band called The Rockin' Tonics. The first record he cut "Been So Long" / "Georgia Grind" on Royal Records was plugged by DJs and Hitson did quite well with it.[1]
His song "Love Slipped Thru My Fingers" is a popular Northern Soul track.[2][3][4]
In the late 1980s, Hitson, Freddie Terrell, and Raymond Smith formed Family Records Inc. The first artists they signed were Harrison Jones and The Voices of Harmony.[5]
Among the musicians that have either backed or played with Hitson are the Mississippi-based guitarist J.D. Mark, who died in 2013,[6][7] and The Lonely Lonely Knights. The Knights had also backed Filmore Slim, Chick Willis, and Ralph "Soul" Jackson.[8]
Controversy
editRegarding the controversy over "Free Spirit", questions are asked if Hitson is the actual player and singer on the track, or if it was actually Hendrix who played on it, also being unsure on who deserves the artist credit.[9] Some tracks that may or may not actually feature Hendrix[10] have Hitson, Lonnie Youngblood, and Lee Moses have playing on them. Some have been produced by John Brantley.[11]
Later years
editIn 2005, Soul-Tay-Shus Records released You Are Too Much for the Human Heart which was a compilation of singles he recorded from 1961 to 1976. Peter Margasak, reviewer for the Chicago Reader stated that the material on the album ranged from Otis Redding styled songs to tracks similar to James Brown.[12]
In August 2010, Herman Hitson and the Lonely Knights appeared at the Rock ’n’ Bowl in New Orleans.[13]
Discography
edit| Name | Title | Label and cat | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermon and the Rockin Tonics | "Been So Long" / "Georgia Grind" | Royal 2871-47 | ||
| Hermon and the Rockin Tonics | "Laughin" / "Find My Baby" | Royal 2871-50 | ||
| Herman Hitson | "You Are Too Much for the Human Heart" / "I Got That Will" | ATCO Records 45-6566 | 1968 | Arranged by – T. Staff Produced by – Johnny Brantley[14] |
| Herman Hitson | "Yes You Did" / "Better To Have Loved" | Minit 32072 | 1969 | Produced by Johnny Brantley Arranged by T. Staff |
| Hermon Hitson | "She's A Bad Girl" / "Show Some Sign" | Minit 32096 S | 1970 | Produced by Johnny Brantley Arranged by Lee Moses[15] |
| Herman Hitson | "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" / "Ain't No Other Way | Sweet Rose Records O-25, O-26 | 1972 | [16] |
| Hermon Hitson | "Buckbboard" / "Ayana" (The Baby Song) | Hitsong HH-001 | 1979 | Side 1 Produced by Hermon Hitson, Arranged by Hermon Baaqar
Side 2 Produced by Hermon Baaqar, Eddie Maxey |
| Title | Label and cat | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I Should Have Kept My Big Mouth Closed" | Sweet Rose Express Records | ||
| "Dream Weaver", "Letters I'll Never Mail" | Sweet Rose Express Records | [17] |
| Title | Label and cat | Year | Notes # |
|---|---|---|---|
| You Are Too Much for the Human Heart | Soul-Tay-Shus Records STS CD 6352 | 2005 | [18][19] |
| Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow | Sweet Rose Express | 2008 | |
| Live at The Earl | Sweet Rose Express | Supporting band: Freddie Terrell and the Buckboard Express Band[20] | |
| Hermon Hitson's – Free Spirit | [20] | ||
| Brooklyn Soul presents Live in Concert | Sweet Rose Express Records | 2010 | [21] |
References
edit- ^ "Herman Hitson". Ponderosastomp.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ^ The Story of Northern Soul: A Definitive History of the Dance Scene that Refuses To Die By David Nowell The full playlist of Richard Searling's last ever spot at The Casino in September 1981
- ^ Too darn soulful: the story of Northern soul David Nowell Page 159
- ^ Soul Underground Feb 2012 Richard Searling: What Happened To Yesterday?
- ^ Billboard December 28, 1989 Page 15 General News, New Companies
- ^ The Local Voice July 13, 2013 Local Musician J.D. Mark Passes Away by Newt Rayburn
- ^ The Times-Picayune July 15, 2013 Guitarist J.D. Mark, of the Haunted Hearts band and others, has died By Alison Fensterstock, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
- ^ OffBeat Magazine August 10, 2012 Lonely Lonely Knights Hit Frenchmen Street by John Swenson
- ^ Gambit April 29, 2008 Rhythm Section, Headliner Notes, Herman Hitson By Alison Fensterstock
- ^ Early Hendrix Lonnie Youngblood
- ^ The Jimi Hendrix Experience Chapter 4
- ^ Chicago Reader June 21, 2007 Arts & Culture | Theater Critic's Choice, Herman Hitson by Peter Margasak
- ^ The Times-Picayune August 20, 2010 A Dash Rip Rock CD release party, Joe Krown for free and more music for Aug. 20–26, SATURDAY, Aug. 21 by Keith Spera
- ^ Discogs Herman Hitson – You Are Too Much For The Human Heart / I Got That Will
- ^ a b 45Cat Herman Hitson – Discography
- ^ Discogs Herman Hitson – You Can't Keep A Good Man Down / Ain't No Other Way
- ^ Hermon Hitson – The Soul of Soul Hermon Hitson – Music and More!
- ^ EB Records Herman Hitson – You Are Too Much For The Human Heart: Rare & Unreleased Georgia Soul 19611976 Soul-Tay-Shus
- ^ Rate Your Music You Are Too Much for the Human Heart
- ^ a b Hermon Hitson – The Soul of Soul Hermon Hitson – Music and More!
- ^ CD Baby Brooklyn Soul "Live In Concert" by Hermon Hitson