He is the soul singer, the gospel god, he is Al Green. Before his name was synonymous with the 1970s soul movement, Green was one-fourth of a touring gospel quartet that formed in his native Forest City, Arkansas. The Green Brothers, as they were known, relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan and continued to perform until Green's father gave him the boot from the group after catching him listening to R&B great Jackie Wilson. Green formed R&B band Al Green & the Creations with high school friends Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, who formed label Hot Line Music Journal. The group, now known as the Soul Mates, recorded their single "Back Up Train," which was a surprising success. Unfortunately it would be the group's only hit, as Green subsequently moved on to pursue a solo career.Al Green met and charmed Hi Records V.P. Willie Mitchell while touring in Texas. Mitchell signed the soul singer to Hi Records, which released Green's debut album, Green is Blues, in early 1970. Although the album didn't contain any hit tracks, it did introduce the music world to Green's signature falsetto accompanied by sexy soul music that would become his calling card. Green Gets Next to You was released in 1970 and was followed by Green's hit album Let's Stay Together in 1972. The title track is one of soul's greatest songs and propelled Green's career in the early ‘70s. After releasing several hits, a violent break-in occurred at Green's home, prompting the singer to reevaluate his life and career. In 1976, Green purchased a church in Memphis and began to preach the Full Gospel Tabernacle, of which he was ordained.Green continued to deliver the soulful sounds that made him a music legend until he retired from secular music in 1979 and focused his music solely on gospel. Despite being primarily a religious performer for the remainer of his career, the singer would occasionally return to R&B and is known for his seductively smooth sounds of the '70s.
