Joe Greene (American singer)

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Joe Greene
Born
Joseph Arthur Greene
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Gospel singer, songwriter

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]

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chadbourne, Eugene. "Joseph Greene". AllMusic . Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  2. Tobler, John (2011). I Wrote a Simple Song/Music Is My Life (CD booklet). Billy Preston. BGO Records. pp. 4, 6, CD credits.
  3. "Joseph Greene: Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. 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.
  5. Castleman & Podrazik 1976, p. 91.
  6. Los Angeles staff (June 16, 1973). "Preston Sued for $500,000 by WEP Scribe". Billboard . p. 10. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. Late at Night (LP credits). Billy Preston. Motown Records. 1979.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)