Arthur Prysock Jr. (January 1, 1924 Arthur Prysock, ''FindaGrave.com''
Retrieved October 30, 2016 or 1929 – June 21, 1997) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

and R&B singer best known for his live shows and his deep

baritone A baritone is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the bass and the tenor voice-types. The term originates from the Greek (), meaning "heavy sounding". Composers typically write music for this voice in the r ...

, influenced by

Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously ...

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

/ref> According to his obituary in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', "his heavy, deep voice projected a calm, reassuring virility."

Life and career

Prysock was born in

Spartanburg, South Carolina Spartanburg is a city in and the county seat, seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city of Spartanburg has a municipal population of 38,732 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the 11th-largest c ...

. Many sources give his birth year as 1929, but researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc state 1924 on the basis of official records. He moved to

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

as a young child, and then to

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

to work in the aircraft industry during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, singing with small bands in the evenings. In 1944 bandleader

Buddy Johnson Woodrow Wilson "Buddy" Johnson (January 10, 1915 – February 9, 1977) was an American jump blues pianist and bandleader active from the 1930s through the 1960s. His songs were often performed by his sister Ella Johnson, most notably "Since I F ...

signed him as a vocalist, and Prysock became a mainstay of the live performance circuits. Prysock sang on several of Johnson's hits on

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

including "They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool" (1946), "Jet (My Love)" (1947) and "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone" 1948), and later " Because" (1950). In 1952 Prysock went solo. He signed with Decca, who marketed him as a younger rival to Billy Eckstine, and recorded the No. 5 R&B hit, "I Didn't Sleep a Wink Last Night", with

Sy Oliver Melvin James "Sy" Oliver (December 17, 1910 – May 28, 1988) was an American jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer, singer and bandleader. Life Sy Oliver was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States. His mother was a piano teacher, and his ...

's orchestra. Spencer Leigh, "Obituary: Arthur Prysock", ''The Independent'', 22 August 1997
Retrieved October 31, 2016 Over the years Prysock gained a reputation as an emotive balladeer and as one of the most popular acts on the

Chitlin' Circuit The Chitlin' Circuit was a collection of performance venues throughout the eastern, southern, and upper Midwest areas of the United States that provided commercial and cultural acceptance for African American musicians, comedians, and other enterta ...

. He recorded R&B classics such as Roy Brown's "

Good Rocking Tonight "Good Rocking Tonight" is a jump blues song originally released in 1947 by its writer, Roy Brown and was covered by many recording artists (sometimes as Good Rockin' Tonight). The song includes the memorable refrain, "Well I heard the news, th ...

". In the 1960s, Prysock joined Old Town Records and did an R&B cover of

Ray Noble Raymond Stanley Noble (17 December 1903 – 2 April 1978) was an English jazz and big band musician, who was a bandleader, composer and arranger, as well as a radio host, television and film comedian and actor; he also performed in the United ...

's ballad "

The Very Thought of You "The Very Thought of You" is a pop standard that was recorded and published in 1934 with music and lyrics by Ray Noble. The song was first recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals for HMV in England in April 1934. This re ...

" (1960) and a pop hit "It's Too Late, Baby (Too Late)" (1965). For

Verve Records Verve Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the label is home to the world's largest jazz catalogue, which includes recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, ...

he recorded '' Arthur Prysock and Count Basie'' (December 12, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 1965, at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey), and ''A Working Man's Prayer'' (1968). He read verses from

Walter Benton Walter Benton (September 8, 1930 in Los Angeles – August 14, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Benton first began playing saxophone as a high schooler in Los Angeles. After three years of service in the Army in the early 1950s, he ...

's book of poems against a jazz instrumental backdrop on his 1968 album, ''This is My Beloved''. Between 1960 and 1988, he released over 30 LPs. He also briefly had his own television show in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Prysock mainly played cabaret engagements; he gained his greatest fame during these years singing the jingle for the Lowenbrau television commercials. In 1987 he received a

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

nomination for "Teach Me Tonight", a duet with Betty Joplin, and the following year received another nomination for ''

This Guy's in Love With You "This Guy's in Love with You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and recorded by Herb Alpert. Although known primarily for his trumpet playing as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert sang lead vocals on this solo recording, arr ...

''. His brother, Wilbur "Red" Prysock, was a tenor sax player who appeared on many of Arthur's later records. Prysock received a Pioneer Award from the

Rhythm and Blues Foundation The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent American nonprofit organization dedicated to the historical and cultural preservation of rhythm and blues music. The idea for the foundation came in 1987 during discussions about royalties with en ...

in 1995. In later years he lived in

Bermuda ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = National song , song = " Hail to Bermuda" , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , mapsize2 = , map_caption2 = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = , e ...

. Stephen Holden, "Arthur Prysock, 68, a Rhythm-and-Blues Singer", ''The New York Times'', June 25, 1997
Retrieved October 31, 2016 He died after several years' illness from an

aneurysm An aneurysm is an outward bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also be a nidus (s ...

at King Edward Hospital,

Hamilton, Bermuda The City of Hamilton, in Pembroke Parish, is the territorial capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination. Its population of 854 (2016) is one of the sm ...

, in 1997.

Discography

Chart singles

Albums

* ''I Worry About You'' (

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins after thorough renovations. There are ma ...

LP-102, 1960) * ''Arthur Prysock Sings Only For You'' (Old Town LP-2004, 1962) * ''Coast To Coast'' (Old Town LP-2005, 1963) * ''A Portrait of Arthur Prysock'' (Old Town LP-2006, 1963; reissue: Verve V6-5012, 1967) * ''Everlasting Songs For Everlasting Lovers'' (Old Town LP-2007, 1964) * ''Intimately Yours'' (Old Town LP-2008, 1964) * ''A Double Header With Arthur Prysock'' (Old Town LP-2009, 1965) * ''In A Mood With Arthur Prysock'' (Old Town LP-2010, 1965) * ''Strictly Sentimental'' (

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, a record label * Decca Gold, a classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, a musical theater record label * Decca Studios, a recording facility in W ...

DL-4581, 1965) compilation of material recorded 1951–1953. * ''Arthur Prysock Showcase: Songs That Made Him Famous'' (Decca DL-4628, 1965) compilation of early material featuring

and His Orchestra. * '' Arthur Prysock and Count Basie'' (

Verve Verve may refer to: Music * The Verve, an English rock band * ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve * ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album) * Verve Records, an American jazz record label Businesses * Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...

V6-8646, 1965

el. 1966 EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American po ...

* ''Mr. Arthur Prysock and Guest'' (Old Town LP-2011, 1966) 3 tracks with Count Basie, plus 8 tracks previously released on singles. * ''Art & Soul'' (Verve V6-5009, 1966) * ''Mister Prysock'' (Verve V6-5014, 1967) reissue of ''Arthur Prysock Sings Only For You'', plus 2 tracks from ''Intimately Yours''. * ''Love Me'' (Verve V6-5029, 1967) * ''To Love Or Not To Love'' (Verve V6-5048, 1968) * ''I Must Be Doing Something Right'' (Verve V6-5059, 1968) * ''This Is My Beloved'' (Verve V6-5070, 1968

el. 1969 EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American po ...

* ''Funny Thing'' (

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 a ...

SE-4694, 1968 el. 1970 * ''The Country Side of Arthur Prysock'' (

King King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...

KSD-1064, 1969) * ''Where The Soul Trees Grow'' (King KSD-1066, 1969) * ''The Lord Is My Shepherd'' (King KSD-1067, 1969) * ''Fly My Love'' (King KSD-1088, 1970) * ''Unforgettable'' (King KSD-1134, 1971) * ''Arthur Prysock '74'' (Old Town 12-001, 1973) * ''Love Makes It Right'' (Old Town 12-002, 1974) * ''All My Life'' (Old Town 12-004, 1976) * ''Arthur Prysock Does It Again!'' (Old Town 12-005, 1977) * ''Here's To Good Friends'' ( MCA 3061, 1978) * ''A Rockin' Good Way'' (

Milestone A milestone is a numbered marker placed on a route such as a road, railway line, canal or boundary. They can indicate the distance to towns, cities, and other places or landmarks; or they can give their position on the route relative to so ...

9139, 1985) * ''This Guy's in Love With You'' (Milestone 9146, 1986) * ''Today's Love Songs, Tomorrow's Blues'' (Milestone 9157, 1988)

Compilations

* ''The Best of Arthur Prysock'' (Verve V6-5011, 1966) * ''The Best of Arthur Prysock, Number 2'' (Verve V6-5038, 1967) * ''Arthur Prysock...Golden Archive Series'' (MGM GAS-134, 1970) * ''Arthur Prysock At His Very Best – Silk and Satin'' (

Polydor Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...

PD-2-8901, 1977) * ''Compact Jazz: Arthur Prysock'' (Verve 841130, 1989) * ''Jazz 'Round Midnight: Arthur Prysock (Late Night Ballads and Blues)'' (Verve 527033, 1995) * ''Morning, Noon & Night – The Collection'' (Verve 557484, 1998) * ''The Best of Arthur Prysock – The Milestone Years'' (Milestone 9303, 2000) * ''Too Late Baby: The Old Town Singles 1958–1966'' (

Ace An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the c ...

CDTOP-1401, 2014) * ''They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool: The Complete Recordings With Buddy Johnson (1946-1952)'' (

Jasmine Jasmine ( taxonomic name: ''Jasminum''; , ) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Jasmines are widely cultiva ...

JASMCD-2609, 2014) * ''You Never Know About Love'' (Jasmine JASMCD-2737, 2022) two complete albums on one CD: ''I Worry About You'' and ''Arthur Prysock Sings Only For You'' plus four bonus tracks.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prysock, Arthur Prysock 1920s births 1997 deaths Verve Records artists Milestone Records artists 20th-century American singers Musicians from Spartanburg, South Carolina