Curtis or Curtiss is a common given name and surname of English origin derived from the Old French "curteis," which means 'polite, courteous, or well-bred.'^[1] It's related with the Spanish and Portuguese surname Cortes. It was brought to England (and subsequently, the rest of the Isles) via the Norman Conquest. This is evidence to suggest the name itself is a phonetic corruption of Curthose, the nickname ascribed to Robert II or also Curtmantle, the surname used by Henry II, the first of England's Plantagenet kings. It could also be a variation of the established medieval surname, Curthoys. Though it is unclear whether "Curtis" and "Curtiss" are directly related, the latter is also considered here for convenience.

Surname uses: Curtis[link]

People[link]

• Adam Curtis (born 1955), a British television documentarian
• Alison Curtis (born 1977), a Canadian-Irish radio presenter
• Benjamin Robbins Curtis (1809–1874), an American jurist
• Catie Curtis (born 1965), an American singer-songwriter
• Charles Curtis (1860–1936), an American Vice President
• Charles Curtis (botanist) (1853–1928), an English botanist who became the first superintendent of the Penang Botanic Gardens
• Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis (1850–1933), an American publisher
• David Curtis (born 1948), a Welsh Gymnast and Trampoline champion
• Edwin Burr Curtiss, the president of A. G. Spalding Bros.
• Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952), a photographer
• Edmund Curtis (1881–1943), a historian and Professor of History
• George Ticknor Curtis (1812–1894), an American politician and lawyer
• George William Curtis (1824–1892), an American writer and public speaker
• Glenn Curtiss (1878–1930), an American aviation pioneer and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
• Harriot Curtis (1881–1974), an American golfer
• Heber Doust Curtis (1872–1942), an American astronomer
• Ian Curtis (1956–1980), a British singer-songwriter for Joy Division
• Jamie Lee Curtis (born 1958), an American actress
• John Curtis (disambiguation), several people
• Kathlyn Curtis, a Manitoba judge
• Kelly Curtis (born 1956), an American actress
• Kevin Curtis (born 1978), a professional American football player
• King Curtis (1934–1971), an American saxophonist
• Lee Curtis (born Peter Flannery), a British musician
• Mark Curtis (British author), a British political author
• Mark Curtis (SWP member), a former American Socialist Worker's Party member
• Mary Louise Curtis Bok, the founder of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia
• Margaret Curtis (1883–1965) an American golfer and tennis player
• Moses Ashley Curtis (M.A.Curtis, 1808–1872), an American botanist and mycologist
• Norman Curtis (1924–2009), an English football player
• Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis (1926–1951), a decorated English soldier
• Richard Curtis (born 1956), a British comedy scriptwriter
• Samuel Curtis (S.Curtis, 1779–1860), an English botanist
• Samuel Ryan Curtis (1805–1866), a Union General in the American Civil War
• Scott Curtis (born 1984), a Life FM radio presenter
• Tom Curtis (disambiguation), several people
  • Thomas Bradford Curtis (1911–1993), an American Representative from Missouri
• Tony Curtis (1925—2010), an American actor
• William Curtis (1746–1799), an English botanist

Fictional characters[link]

• Randall Curtis, a character on The Simpsons based on George Lucas
• Rey Curtis, a character on Law & Order
• Izumi Curtis, a character in Fullmetal Alchemist
• Sophia Curtis, a character in CSI Las Vegas
• Jade Curtiss, a character in Tales of the Abyss
• Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry Curtis, the main characters in The Outsiders

This page or section lists people with the surname Curtis. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

Surname uses: Curtiss[link]

People[link]

• Charles Curtiss (1908–1993), American Communist
• David Raymond Curtiss (1878–1953), American mathematician
• Edward Curtiss (1898–1970), American film editor
• Glenn Curtiss (1878–1930), aviation pioneer
• Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, company Glenn Curtiss founded

This page or section lists people with the surname Curtis. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

Given name uses: Curtis[link]

People[link]

• Curtis Armstrong (born 1953), an American actor
• Curtis Enis (born 1976), a retired NFL running back
• Curtis Granderson (born 1981), a New York Yankees center fielder
• Curtis Hanson (born 1945), an American filmmaker
• Curtis James Jackson III (born 1975), an American rapper and actor (known as 50 Cent)
• Curtis Martin (born 1973), an American football player
• Curtis Mayfield, an American soul singer, songwriter and musician
• Curtis Robb (born 1972), a British middle-distance runner
• Curtis Salgado (born 1954), a rhythm and blues musician and singer-songwriter
• Curtis Strange (born 1955), an American professional golfer
• Curtis Warren (born 1963), a British criminal
• Curtis Woodhouse (born 1980), an English football player and boxer

This page or section lists people that share the same given name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.

Fictional characters[link]

• Curtis Manning, a fictional character played by Jamaican-Canadian actor Roger Cross as part of the television series 24
• Curtis, a fictional character played by actor Spencer Breslin as part of 'The Santa Clause 2+3'
• Curtis Wilkins, a fictional character from the comic strip Curtis
• Curtis (Stargate), a recurring character in Stargate Universe
• Curtis Donovan, a fictional character played by actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as part of the UK television series Misfits

Companies[link]

• Curtiss Candy Company which made Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy bars.

Places[link]

• Curtis, Galicia

References[link]

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. He was adopted, alongside with his adopted sister, Josephine Ousley Allen. They both grew up in Texas, together. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".^[1]

Career[link]

King Curtis started playing saxophone at the age of twelve in the Fort Worth area. Josephine, took interest in him, knowing that she was also into music and singing as well. He took interest in many musical genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, and popular music. As a student pursuing music he turned down college scholarships in order to join the Lionel Hampton Band.^[2] During his time with Lionel Hampton he was able to write and arrange music and learn guitar.^[2] In 1952 Curtis decided to move to New York and became a session musician, recording for such labels as Prestige, Enjoy, Capitol, and Atco. He recorded with Nat Adderley and Wynton Kelly,^[2] Buddy Holly and Andy Williams.^[3]

Stylistically, Curtis took inspiration from saxophonists Lester Young, Louis Jordan, Illinois Jacquet, Earl Bostic, and Gene Ammons.^[2] Known for his syncopated and percussive style, he was both versatile and powerful as a musician. He put together a group during his time as a session musician including Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Jerry Jemmott, and Bernard Purdie.^[3]

Move into Rock[link]

King Curtis enjoyed playing jazz and rock but decided he would make more money as a rock musician. From the 1950s until the mid 1960s, he worked as a session player, recording under his own name and with others such as the Coasters, with whom he recorded "Yakety Yak." Buddy Holly hired him for session work, during which they recorded "Reminiscing." Buddy wrote this song, but gave Curtis the songwriting credit for flying down to the session. His best-known singles from this period are "Soul Twist" and "Soul Serenade."

In 1965, he moved to Atlantic Records and recorded his most successful singles, "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). He worked with The Coasters, led Aretha Franklin's backing band The Kingpins. The Kingpins opened for The Beatles during their 1965 performance at Shea Stadium. Curtis produced records, often working with Jerry Wexler and recorded for Groove Records during this period.^[4]

In 1970, he appeared with Aretha Franklin and The King Pins on Aretha Live at Fillmore West, and another record, Live at Fillmore West, which included a version of "Memphis Soul Stew" and covers of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love", Isaac Hayes' "I Stand Accused" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". The line-up for these performances included: Hammond organ player Billy Preston, bassist Jerry Jemmott, guitarist Cornell Dupree, Pancho Morales (percussion), drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and The Memphis Horns. A cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" was taken from this album, and used as the title music in the cult British comedy film, Withnail & I. In July 1971, Curtis recorded saxophone solos on "It's So Hard" and "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama I Don't Wanna Die" from John Lennon's Imagine.^[5] Along with The Rimshots, he recorded the original theme song for the 1971 hit television show, Soul Train, titled "Hot Potatoes."

Death[link]

Around midnight on August 13, 1971^[6] Curtis was lugging an air-conditioning unit towards his brownstone apartment on West 86th Street in New York City when he noticed two junkies were using drugs on the steps to his home. When he asked them to leave, an argument started.^[7] The argument quickly became heated and turned into a fist fight with one of the men, 26-year old Juan Montañez. Suddenly, Montañez pulled out a knife and stabbed Curtis in the chest. Curtis managed to wrestle the knife away and stab his assailant four times before collapsing. Montañez staggered away from the scene and Curtis was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where he died from his wounds less than an hour later.^[8]

Montañez was arrested at the same hospital Curtis had been taken to. When police officers investigating the murder learned that another man had been admitted to Roosevelt hospital with stab wounds around the same time as Curtis, they quickly realized that the two events were connected. Montañez was charged with Curtis' murder and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment.^[9]

On the day of Curtis' funeral Atlantic Records closed their offices.^[10] Jesse Jackson administered the service and as the mourners filed in, Curtis's band 'The Kingpins' played "Soul Serenade". Amongst those attending were his close family, sister Josephine Ousley Allen, other family members, Aretha Franklin, Cissy Houston, Brook Benton and Duane Allman.^[11] Franklin sang the closing spiritual "Never Grow Old" and Stevie Wonder performed "Abraham, Martin and John and now King Curtis".^[12]

Curtis was subsequently buried in a red granite-fronted wall crypt in the 'West Gallery of Forsythia Court' mausoleum at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, New York, the same cemetery that holds Jazz greats Count Basie and John Coltrane.^[13]

Awards[link]

In 1970, Curtis won the Best R&B Instrumental Performance Grammy for "Games People Play".^[14]

Curtis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.^[15]

Discography[link]

^[16]

King Curtis[link]

• The Good Old Fifties (1959)
• Have Tenor Sax, Will Blow (1959)
• Azure (1960)
• King Soul (1960)
• Soul Meeting (1960)
• Party Time (1961)
• Trouble in Mind (1961)
• Old Gold (1961)
• Night Train (1961)
• Doin' the Dixie Twist (1962)
• Country Soul (1962)
• Soul Twist and other Golden Classics (1962)
• It's Party Time (1962)
• The Best of (1962)
• Soul Serenade (1964)
• Plays Hits made by Sam Cooke (1965)
• That Lovin' Feeling (1966)
• Live at Small's Paradise (1966)
• Play Great Memphis Hits (1967)
• Memphis Soul Stew (1967) #33 Pop, #6 R&B
• Sweet Soul (1968)
• Sax in Motion (1968)
• Instant Groove (1969)
• Everybody Talkin (1970)
• Get Ready (1970)
• Blues at Montreux (1971)

King Curtis and The Kingpins[link]

• Soul Twist (1962) with The Noble Knights
• The Shirelles & King Curtis Give A Twist Party (1962) with The Shirelles a/k/a Eternally, Soul (1968)
• King Size Soul (1967)
• Live at Fillmore West (1971)

References[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Clifford, Mike: Futrell, John and Bonds, Ray. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Black music. Harmony Books (1982). Digitized 29 Dec (2006)
• Kernfield, Barry Dean. Newgrove Dictionary of Jazz. Grove's Dictionaries (2002). Digitized 21 Dec 2006. ISBN 978-1-56159-284-5
• Shaw, Arnold. Honkers and Shouters. Macmillan Publishing Company (1978). Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 0-02-061740-2
• Poe, Randy and Gibbons, Billy F. Sky Dog. Backbeat Books (2006) ISBN 978-0-87930-891-9

Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield performing for Dutch television in 1972
Background information
Birth name	Curtis Lee Mayfield
Born	(1942-06-03)June 3, 1942 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	December 26, 1999(1999-12-26) (aged 57) Roswell, Georgia, United States
Genres	Soul, Funk, R&B, Chicago Soul, Psychedelic Soul
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, drums
Years active	1956–1999
Labels	Curtom, Warner Bros., Rhino
Associated acts	The Impressions, Jerry Butler
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster

Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an African-American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious African-American music.^[1][2] He was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums. Curtis Mayfield is a winner of both the Grammy Legend Award (in 1994) and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (in 1995), and was a double inductee into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted as a member of The Impressions into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and again in 1999 as a solo artist. He is also a two-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.

Early years and The Impressions[link]

Born on June 3, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, Mayfield was the son of Marion Washington and Kenneth Mayfield. Mayfield's father left the family when Mayfield was five and his mother moved Curtis and his siblings into various Chicago projects before settling at the Cabrini–Green projects when Mayfield reached his teenage years. Mayfield attended Wells Community Academy High School. He dropped out of high school early to become lead singer and songwriter for The Impressions, then went on to a successful solo career. Perhaps most notably, Mayfield was among the first of a new wave of mainstream African-American R&B performing artists and composers injecting social commentary into their work.^[1] This "message music" became extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s.

Two significant characteristics distinguish Mayfield's sound. First, he taught himself how to play guitar, tuning it to the black keys of the piano, thus giving him an open F-sharp tuning---F#, A#, C#, F#, A#, F#---that he used throughout his career.^[3] Second, he primarily sang in falsetto register, adding another flavor to his music. This was not unique in itself, but most singers sing primarily in the modal register.

Mayfield's career began in 1956 when he joined The Roosters with Arthur and Richard Brooks and Jerry Butler. Two years later The Roosters, now including also Sam Gooden, became The Impressions.^[4] The band had one big hit with "For Your Precious Love". After Butler left the group and was replaced with Fred Cash, (a returning original Roosters member), Mayfield became lead singer, frequently composing for the band, starting with "Gypsy Woman", a Top 20 Pop hit. Their hit "Amen," (Top 10), an updated version of an old gospel tune, was included in the soundtrack of the 1963 MGM film Lilies of the Field, which starred Sidney Poitier. The Impressions reached the height of their popularity in the mid-to-late-'60s with a string of Mayfield compositions that included "Keep on Pushing," "People Get Ready", "It's All Right" (Top 10),the uptempo "Talking about My Baby"(Top 20), "Woman's Got Soul", "Choice of Colors,"(Top 20), "Fool For You," "This is My Country" and "Check Out Your Mind." Mayfield had written much of the soundtrack of the civil rights movement in the early 1960s, but by the end of the decade he was a pioneering voice in the black pride movement along with James Brown and Sly Stone. Mayfield's "We're a Winner", a Number 1 soul hit which also reached the Billboard pop Top 20, became an anthem of the black power and black pride movements when it was released in late 1967,^[5] much as his earlier "Keep on Pushing" (whose title is quoted in the lyrics of "We're a Winner" and also in "Move on up") had been an anthem for Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.^[6]

Mayfield was a prolific songwriter in Chicago even outside his work for The Impressions, writing and producing scores of hits for many other artists. He also owned the Mayfield and Windy C labels which were distributed by Cameo-Parkway, and was a partner in the Curtom label (first independent, then distributed by Buddha then Warner Bros and finally RSO.)

Solo career[link]

In 1970, Mayfield left The Impressions and began a solo career, founding the independent record label Curtom Records. Curtom went on to release most of Mayfield's landmark 1970s records, as well as records by the Impressions, Leroy Hutson, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples, and Baby Huey and the Babysitters, a group which at the time included Chaka Khan. Many of these records were also produced by Mayfield.

The commercial and critical peak of his solo career came with his music album Super Fly, the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film of the same name, and one of the most influential albums in African-American history. Unlike the soundtracks to other blaxploitation films (most notably Isaac Hayes' score for Shaft), which glorified the ghetto excesses of the characters, Mayfield's lyrics consisted of hard-hitting commentary on the state of affairs in black, urban ghettos at the time, as well as direct criticisms of several characters in the film. Bob Donat wrote in Rolling Stone Magazine in 1972 that while the film's message "was diluted by schizoid cross-purposes" because it "glamorizes machismo-cocaine consciousness... the anti-drug message on [Mayfield's soundtrack] is far stronger and more definite than in the film." Along with Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions, this album ushered in a new socially conscious, funky style of popular soul music. He was dubbed 'The Gentle Genius' to reflect his outstanding and innovative musical output with the constant presence of his soft yet insistent vocals. The single releases "Freddie's Dead" and "Super Fly" both sold over one million copies each, and were awarded gold discs by the R.I.A.A.^[7]

Super Fly brought success that resulted in Mayfield being tapped for additional soundtracks, some of which he wrote and produced while having others perform the vocals. Gladys Knight & the Pips recorded Mayfield's soundtrack for Claudine in 1974, while Aretha Franklin recorded the soundtrack for Sparkle in 1976. Mayfield worked with Mavis Staples on the 1977 soundtrack for the film A Piece of the Action. He was in danger of overreaching himself being writer, producer, performer, arranger, and businessman but seemed to cope and still produce a remarkable output.

One of Mayfield's most successful funk-disco meldings was the 1977 hit "Do Do Wap is Strong in Here" from his soundtrack to the Robert M. Young film of Miguel Piñero's play Short Eyes. In his 2003 biography of Curtis Mayfield, titled "People Never Give Up", author Peter Burns noted that Curtis has 140 songs in the Curtom vaults. Burns indicated that the songs maybe already completed or in the stages of completion, so that they could then be released commercially. These recordings include "The Great Escape", "In The News", "Turn up the Radio", "Whats The Situation?" and one recording labelled "Curtis at Montreux Jazz Festival 87". Two other albums, featuring Curtis Mayfield present in the Curtom vaults and as yet unissued are, a 1982/83 live recording titled "25th Silver Anniversary" (which features performances by Curtis, The Impressions and Jerry Butler) and a live performance, recorded in September 1966 by The Impressions titled 'Live at the Club Chicago'.

In later years, Mayfield's music would be included in the movies I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Hollywood Shuffle, Friday (though not on the soundtrack), and Short Eyes (1977) where he had a cameo role as a prisoner.^[8]

Social activism[link]

Curtis Mayfield was known for introducing social consciousness into African American music as well as R&B and wrote songs protesting social and political equality. He had written and recorded the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly with The Impressions.^[9] Super Fly is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music. Just as the Civil Rights Act passed into law in 1964, his group The Impressions produced music that became the soundtrack to a summer of revolution. Black students sang their songs as they marched to jail or protested outside their universities, while King often marched to the peaceful sounds of Mayfield's Keep On Pushing, People Get Ready and We're A Winner. Mayfield had quickly become a civil rights hero.^[10]

Mayfield, along with several other soul and funk musicians, spread messages of hope in the face of oppression, pride in being a member of the black race and gave courage to a generation who were demanding their human rights. Mayfield has been compared to Martin Luther King Jr arguably for making a greater lasting impact in the civil rights struggle with his music. By the end of the decade he was a pioneering voice in the black pride movement along with James Brown and Sly Stone. Paving the way for a future generation of rebel thinkers, Mayfield paid the price, artistically and commercially, for his politically charged music. Irrespective of the persistent radio bans and loss of revenue, Mayfield continued his quest for equality right until his death. His lyrics on racial injustice, poverty and drugs became the poetry for a generation. Mayfield was also a descriptive social commentator. As the influx of drugs ravaged through black America in the late 1960s and 1970s his bittersweet descriptions of the ghetto would serve as warnings to the impressionable. Determined to warn all about the perils of drugs, "Freddie's Dead" is a graphic tale of street life.^[10] In 1965, another gospel song emerged -- "People Get Ready" by Mayfield and the Impressions. "Keep On Pushing" and "People Get Ready" were two songs that became embedded in the national movement for civil and social rights, heard at all the rallies and marches, songs-as-inspiration. His song "People Get Ready" was written in the year after the march on Washington's. For many, it captured the spirit of the march—the song reaches across racial and religious lines to offer a message of redemption and forgiveness. ^[11]

Mayfield produced many of the songs that helped shape and define the Black Power Movement, and exemplify the workings of music in the BPM and their 1967 song "We’re a Winner" can be seen as one defining element of the movement.^{[says who?]} Mayfield's uncompromising look at racism and his calls for black pride and economic determinism place him firmly within the BPM. Significantly, when he and his friend Eddie Thomas founded the Curtom record label to protect black artists from the exploitation that they often suffered with other record labels, not only was the BPM ideal of black entrepreneurship realized but also the BPM had a record label that was synonymous with Black Power. Empowered in part by the ownership of his own label and in part by his affiliations with other artists, Mayfield presented a crucial look at American racism in "This is My Country" with lyrics that spoke of ‘three hundred years of slave driving, sweat and welts on my back’. ‘We’re a Winner’ conveys the essential ideological message of the BPM. By the time We're a Winner was recorded, the BPM was a powerful, complex movement that incorporated politics, capitalism, internationalism and the arts that had its roots in the social circumstances and political opportunities of the post-World War II era. The title itself was a strong statement against inferiority complexes historically propagated among blacks by power brokers representing white social and cultural values, but the lyrics offer more than a critique – they offer an affirmative view of black culture that could foster mobilization and sustain political action under even threatening circumstances. Music, as exemplified by Curtis Mayfield, was to foster mobilization by presenting the political ideology of Black Power that enforced notions of black pride, but it also offered a venue for the creation of black culture that was not defined by the dominant white culture. ^[10]

Later years[link]

Mayfield was active throughout the 1970s and 1980s, though he had a somewhat lower public profile in the 1980s. On August 13, 1990, Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York.^[12] He was unable to play guitar, but he wrote, sang, and directed the recording of his last album, New World Order. Mayfield's vocals were painstakingly recorded, usually line-by-line while lying on his back.^[13]

Mayfield received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. In February, 1998, he had to have his right leg amputated owing to diabetes. Mayfield was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 1999. Health reasons prevented him from attending the ceremony, which included fellow inductees Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Dusty Springfield, George Martin, and 1970s Curtom signee and labelmate The Staple Singers.

His last appearance on record was with the group Bran Van 3000 on the song "Astounded" for their album Discosis, recorded just before his death and released in 2001.

Curtis Mayfield died on December 26, 1999 at the North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, Georgia his health having steadily declined following his paralysis.^[14]

Awards and legacy[link]

Mayfield has left a remarkable legacy for his introduction of social consciousness into R&B and for pioneering the funk style. Many of his recordings with the Impressions became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and his most famous album, Super Fly, is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music.

• Mayfield's solo Super Fly is ranked #69 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time).
• The Impressions' album/CD The Anthology 1961–1977 is ranked at #179 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of all time.
• As a member of The Impressions, he was posthumously inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
• Along with his group The Impressions, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
• In 1999, he was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist making him one of the few artists to become double inductees.
• Posthumously, in 2000, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• He was a winner of the prestigious Grammy Legend Award in 1994.
• He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.
• He is a 2-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee: for the song People Get Ready with The Impressions, and for the award-winning album Super Fly as a solo artist.
• The Impressions' 1965 hit song, "People Get Ready", composed by Mayfield, has been chosen as one of the Top 10 Best Songs Of All Time by a panel of 20 top industry songwriters and producers, including Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Hal David, and others, as reported to Britain's Mojo music magazine.
• The Impressions hits, People Get Ready and For Your Precious Love are both ranked on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, as #24 and #327 respectively.
• In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Mayfield #98 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.^[15]
• "Impressions of Curtis Mayfield" - a jazz instrumental album of Mayfield songs is set for release in late April 2012 and features unique performances recorded for this tribute by Terri Lyne Carrington, Russ Ferrante, Master Henry Gibson, Bob Hurst, Wallace Roney, Phil Upchurch and Ernie Watts aka the Jazz Soul Seven. The album was produced by Brian Brinkerhoff.

Filmography[link]

• Movin' On Up- "The Music and Message of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions" (DVD-2008)
• Super Fly (1972) as himself
• Short Eyes (1977) (Role - Pappy)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film) (1978) (Role - Guest)
• Curtis Mayfield Live at Ronnie Scotts - issued on VHS and DVD (2002)

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Curtis (1970)
• Roots (1971)
• Back to the World (1973)
• Got to Find a Way (1974)
• Sweet Exorcist (1974)
• There's No Place Like America Today (1975)
• Give, Get, Take and Have (1976)
• Never Say You Can't Survive (1977)
• Do It All Night (1978)
• Heartbeat (1979)
• Something to Believe In (1980)
• The Right Combination (with Linda Clifford) (1980)
• Love is the Place (1982)
• Honesty (1983)
• We Come in Peace with a Message of Love (1985)
• Take It to the Streets (1990)
• New World Order (1997)

Soundtrack albums[link]

• Super Fly (1972)
• Claudine (1974)
• Let's Do It Again (1975)
• Sparkle (1976)
• A Piece of the Action (1977)
• Short Eyes (1977)
• The Return of Superfly (1990)

Live albums[link]

• Curtis/Live! (1971)
• Curtis in Chicago (1973)
• Live in Europe (1988)
• Live at Ronnie Scott's (1988)

Compilations[link]

• The Anthology 1961-1977 (1992)
• People Get Ready: The Curtis Mayfield Story (1996)
• Get Down to the Funky Groove (1996) [Charly]^[16]
• The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield (1997)
• Beautiful Brother. The Essential Curtis Mayfield (2000)
• Soul Legacy (2001)
• Greatest Hits (2006)

Chart hits by other artists written by Mayfield[link]

Mayfield was a prolific composer. In addition to writing or co-writing almost all of the hit singles he had as a member of The Impressions and as a solo artist, Mayfield also wrote (and sometimes produced) numerous hits for other artists. The following is a list of chart hits, arranged chronologically, that were written (or co-written) by Curtis Mayfield and performed by artists other than Mayfield and/or The Impressions:

* Billboard magazine did not publish an R&B chart during 1964; these chart positions are from Cashbox magazine.
** This hit charted three to four years later in the UK.

References[link]

External links[link]

This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (November 2011)

Biography portal

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Curtis Mayfield

• Curtis Mayfield at the Internet Movie Database
• Curtis Mayfield at Allmusic
• "Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions perform 'We're a Winner' " for the WGBH series, Say Brother
• Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
• Obituary from Socialist Action
• BBC Obituary
• RBMA Radio On Demand - Across 135th Street - Volume 10 - Curtis Mayfield Tribute - Chairman Mao (RBMA, Egotrip)
• Entry in New Georgia Encyclopedia
• Curtis Mayfield and the Impact of His Music on the Civil Rights Movement A Conversation with Mr. Howard Dodson and Dr. Portia K. Maultsby at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
• Curtis Mayfield at Find a Grave
• Curtis Mayfield accepts The Grammy Living Legend Award with original Impressions Jerry Butler, Sam Gooden, and Fred Cash - 1994

Anne Curtis
Born	Anne Ojales Curtis-Smith (1985-02-17) February 17, 1985 (age 27) Victoria, Australia
Occupation	Actress, model, television host, singer,recording artist and VJ
Years active	1997–present
Website
www.annecurtis.ph

Anne Marie Ojales Curtis-Smith, also known as Anne Curtis-Smith (born on 17 February 1985 in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia) is a Filipino/Spanish-Australian, of British descent^{[citation needed]} actress, model, television host, singer, fashion icon, recording artist and VJ, currently active in the Philippines.^[1]

Born Anne Curtis, she is the eldest daughter of Carmen Ojales, a Filipina and James Curtis-Smith, an Australian lawyer. She was discovered while on vacation in the Philippines at the age of 12^[2] which made her visit permanent.

Career[link]

1997-2003: Career beginnings[link]

Anne Curtis was born in Yarrawongga, Australia. Annually, her family visits the Philippines to see their mother's relatives. However, in 1997, her visit became permanent as she was approached while eating in a fast-food restaurant and was asked if she is interested in modeling. Within a week or so, Curtis bagged her first commercial. Because of this, she and her dad decided to move in the Philippines. She did her 7th grade in Colegio de Sta. Rita, and because she was not able to speak Filipino fluently, she had special Filipino classes. ^[3] Her first movie was Magic Kingdom, where she played a princess. After this, she appeared in several supporting roles in GMA Network's shows. Some of the shows were T.G.I.S., Ikaw Na Sana and the long-running situational comedy series Beh Bote Nga ^[4]

2004-2007: Network transfer and various lead roles[link]

In 2004, Curtis moved to the rival network of GMA Network, ABS-CBN. The management of ABS-CBN gave her a more mature role, when she starred in Hiram. ^[5] Her co-stars in the series were Kris Aquino, Dina Bonnevie, John Estrada, Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann. ^[6] In 2005, she got her first title role, via the television version of Kampanerang Kuba. The film version of Kampanerang Kuba was starred by star-of-all-season, Vilma Santos. ^[7] Also in 2005, she hosted the reality show Qpids with her best friend, Luis Manzano. ^[8] In 2006, she got her first movie under Star Cinema, All About Love. It was a three-part movie and also starred some of the ABS-CBN's biggest stars, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Luis Manzano, Angelica Panganiban and Jason Abalos. Also in 2006, she played a nurse and a psycho killer in Star Cinema and Viva Films' Wag Kang Lilingon. Kristine Hermosa also starred in the film.^[9] In that same year, she starred in the critically acclaimed television drama series, Maging Sino Ka Man, wherein she was paired with her ex-boyfriend, Sam Milby. In this series she played the role of Celine, she got the chance to work with veteran actor Christopher De Leon. ^[10] Her role in the series gave her a best actress nomination in the 21st PMPC Star Awards for Television. ^[11] She later reprised her role in the second installation of the series, Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik. ^[12] In 2007, she starred in the blockbuster comedy-film, Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo, wherein she played the daughter of the comedy-queen, Ai Ai de las Alas.^[13]

2008-2010: Continous television and film projects[link]

In 2008, Curtis starred in the film, When Love Begins, wherein she was paired with award-winning actor, Aga Muhlach.^[14] Later in that same year, she starred in the award-winning period film, Baler. This was her first on-sceen team-up with Jericho Rosales.^[15] She won the Best Actress Award from the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival. This marked as Curtis' first acting award, and was very thankful for it.^[16] She was also nominated in the 25th PMPC Star Awards for Movies as Film Actress of the Year and in the 11th Gawad Pasado Awards as Pinakapasadong Aktres.^[17][18] Also in 2008, she got her second title role, Dyosa (Goddess). Curtis admitted that she was very nervous about her role and she picked that being a mermaid is the hardest. She had three leading men in the series, which are Sam Milby, Luis Manzano and Zanjoe Marudo. ^[19] After this, she was dubbed as the "Dyosa" of Philippine Showbiz. ^[20] In 2009, she was one of the main hosts of the highly popular morning variety show, Showtime alongside Vhong Navarro, Kim Atienza, Vice Ganda and many more.^[21] In 2009, she played the role of Candice in the television series, The Wedding. Her leading men were Zanjoe Marudo and Derek Ramsay.^[22] In 2010, she starred in the film Babe, I Love You. The movie marked her first big-screen team-up with ex boyfriend, Sam Milby. ^[23] Her second movie for 2010 was In Your Eyes. Her co-stars include Claudine Barretto and her ex-boyfriend, Richard Gutierrez. ^[24] Her role in this film earned her a Best Supporting Actress Award from the 29th Luna Awards and a Movie Actress of the Year Nominee from the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. ^[25][26]

[edit] 2011: No Other Woman and Career expansion via Annebisyosa

In 2011, Curtis starred in the Philippine adaptation of the Koreanovela Green Rose. The series featured her reunion with Jericho Rosales. ^[27] In the same year, Curtis starred in the romantic-comedy film, Who's That Girl?. It served as her reunion movie with Luis Manzano.^[28] On September 23, 2011, Curtis launched her debut album, Annebisyosa, under Viva Records. She asked for her bosses to release her album, as it is one of her dreams. ^[29]She described her album as "super fun" and "not serious." She also stated that people should listen at their own risk. ^[30]On October 16, 2011, with less than a month of release, the album reached the gold status, as it sold 10,000 copies. Curtis cired while receiving the gold record award. ^[31] On December 11, 2011, the album reached the Platinum status. ^[32] In 2011, she played the role of Kara Zalderiaga in the phenomenal box-office hit, No Other Woman, which also stars Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes. ^[33] The film earned Php 275 Million, making it the highest grossing Filipino film, until it was beaten by The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin. ^[34] Her role in the film lead her and co-star Cristine Reyes to be recognized as the Box Office Queens at the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation's 43rd Box-Office Entertainment award.^[35] She also won as the Pinakapasadong Aktres (Best Actress) at the 14th Gawad Pasado Awards. ^[36] In the 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, she was nominated as Movie Actress of the Year.^[37]

[edit] 2012: Annebisyosa: No Other Concert World Tour

In December 2011, Curtis' conference for her upcoming concert, Annebisyosa No Other Concert World Tour was held. She was to perform at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on January 28, 2012. The concert was also a celebration for her 15th year in show business. ^[38] Her guests at her first major solo concert were her sister Jasmine Curtis,^[39] her best friend Luis Manzano,^[40] her co-hosts in Showtime, Vhong Navarro and Vice Ganda,^[40] rock singers Rico Blanco and Ira Cruz,^[41] her ex-boyfriend Sam Milby,^[41] her No Other Woman co-stars, Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes,^[42] and the Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo.^[42] Some of the celebrities that went to watch her first major solo concert were Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, Karylle,^[40] Kris Aquino,^[43] KC Concepcion, Richard Gutierrez, Jessy Mendiola and Jhong Hilario.^[42] After her major solo concert, several provincial concerts were held, the first stop of the concert series was held on March 23, 2012 in Waterfront Hotel, Cebu and the second one was held on May 5, 2012 in Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan De Oro City. ^[44]

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Movies[link]

Awards and Recognitions[link]