Joe Greene is an American gospel and soul singer and songwriter. A male soprano, he was especially active in the late 1960s and the 1970s as a backing vocalist for rock artists seeking to achieve a more polished vocal performance on their recordings.[1] As a songwriter during that time, he frequently collaborated with Billy Preston, co-writing the latter's Grammy-winning 1972 hit "Outa-Space" and other songs.[2]
Joe Greene | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joseph Arthur Greene |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Gospel singer, songwriter |
Among the many artists whose recordings Greene appeared on are Quincy Jones, the Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr[1] and Harry Nilsson.[3] According to AllMusic, together with singers such as Vanetta Field and Clydie King, Greene was "on the 'A' list" of studio backing vocalists in the U.S.[1] He was also one of the singers in "The Soul Choir" that accompanied George Harrison, Starr, Preston and Leon Russell at the Concert for Bangladesh in August 1971.[4]
Greene co-wrote the song "Let the Music Play" on Preston's 1970 album for Apple Records, Encouraging Words.[5] In June 1971, he signed a songwriting deal with Preston's publishing company, WEP Music, whereby he would receive 35 per cent of the company's net profits. Two years later, Greene sued Preston and WEP for $500,000, claiming he had been paid nothing for hits such as "Outa-Space".[6] He continued to work with Preston, including co-writing the title track to the artist's 1979 album Late at Night and singing on the album.[7]
In the ensuing decades, Greene withdrew from rock music and focused on gospel and choral projects.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Chadbourne, Eugene. "Joseph Greene". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Tobler, John (2011). I Wrote a Simple Song/Music Is My Life (CD booklet). Billy Preston. BGO Records. pp. 4, 6, CD credits.
- ^ "Joseph Greene: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Castleman, Harry; Podrazik, Walter J. (1976). All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975. New York, NY: Ballantine Books. pp. 195–96. ISBN 0-345-25680-8.
- ^ Castleman & Podrazik 1976, p. 91.
- ^ Los Angeles staff (June 16, 1973). "Preston Sued for $500,000 by WEP Scribe". Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Late at Night (LP credits). Billy Preston. Motown Records. 1979.
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