Posted on 05/24/2023 1:21:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Floyd Newman, a saxophonist who played with many music icons and was the first member invited to be in B.B King’s first band, passed away Tuesday morning, the Stax Museum announced. He was 91.
According to the museum, Newman started his career at the Plantation Inn Nightclub in West Memphis, Arkansas along with Ben Branch, Gene “Bowlegs” Miller, Phineas and Calvin Newborn, Willie Mitchell, and hired Isaac Hayes, who went on to become one of the most successful recording artists in history.
Floyd Newman and his saxophone (Courtesy: Stax Museum of American Soul Music) He also brought Hayes to Stax Records in 1962 to play sessions.
Newman went on to play saxophone with many musicians including B.B. King, Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, The Mar-Keys, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, and many more.
Newman, a graduate of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, also became a band instructor for Memphis City Schools and a guidance counselor at Humes and Northside High School while he continued to make music until his retirement.
He has a music note in the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame, and his saxophone was donated to the Stax Museum’s permanent collection in 2018.
RIP Stax.
Lotta good musicians came out of that area
My Fault, RIP Floyd.
It’s okay, you made a mistake. It’s a very sad day for music lovers.
Comments from a friend from the mid south:
I think he was known as Fathead. Interesting history. Didn’t know about him recruiting Isaac.
All the great Stax musicians honed their skills in West Memphis because the racist Memphis Mayor Loeb (Loebs BarB Q) didn’t want blacks in bars after midnight. Implemented a midnight curfew on Memphis nightclubs. Those who became the great Memphis Sound musicians would cross the River and play at wide open West Memphis clubs until 4 or 5 am. Should be called the West Memphis Sound.
You may be confusing him with David "Fathead" Newman, terrific jazz saxophonist.
RIP.
Thanx for the distinction.
Those comments were my buddie’s thoughts that I posted.
I clear this up with him.
Thanx a lot
As a young teenager I was so into Stax music.... the old days.
They produced some great tunes at stax music.
If you still like that stuff you might try “McLemore Avenue” an album by booker t & the MG’s doing all the beatles abby road tunes in memphis style
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