Arthur Alexander

Born: May 10, 1940, Florence, Alabama

Died: June 9, 1993, Nashville, Tennessee

Arthur Alexander was a southern soul/ country soul singer who was one of the first to record at a prototype Muscle Shoals Studio. In fact, the money from the hit "You'd Better Move On" enabled [a=Rick Hall] to properly develop these studios.

Alexander never really made a splash as a singer: especially, after suffering health problems that forced him to retire from the music business in 1975. A 1993 comeback album was well received by audiences and critics alike, but a comeback tour was cut short by his premature death from heart failure in its early stages.

Despite having a few minor hits, Alexander is better known for other people's versions of his songs. The [a=Beatles] and The [a=Rolling Stones] owe a debt to this singer from Alabama, USA. His tragic, harmony-laden 'Anna' was covered on [m45362], and 'You Better Move On' appears on [m54293] EP. Other artists who've sung Alexander-penned songs include [m107567]. Also, 'If It's Really Got to Be This Way' appears on [r1339393] and 'Every Day I Have to Cry Some' on [m103285]. Alexander sings in a soft, low crooning style somewhat akin to [a=Sam Cooke].