Greg Prato’s biography. Willie Mitchell is best known for signing Al Green to Hi Records. He was also the producer of Green’s most successful records. Mitchell was born in Ashland on March 23, 1928. He was raised in Memphis, TN. Mitchell began studying music and arranging as an infant. At eight years old, he took up the trumpet and learned from Ozie Horn, a pianist, as well as from Roy Eldridge, Harry James, and others. Mitchell was discharged in 1954 from the Army and returned to Memphis where he quickly became a well-known trumpet player. Elvis Presley hired the band to perform at several private events. Mitchell was already focusing on studio work by 1959 and signed with Hi Records. He is often credited for creating the instantly recognisable Hi sound (churning organ sounds, solid horn arrangements, and a steady 4/4 beat). Mitchell was a well-known concert performer on American college campuses in the 1960s. He also released a steady stream of solo records for Hi Records, including You Turn Me On and Willie Mitchell Live at The Royal, Solid Soul and On Top. Mitchell was suddenly appointed to the position of Hi Records founder, Joe Cuoghi. The transition could have been turbulent, but Mitchell signed Al Green, a young soul singer to the label one year prior to Cuoghi’s death. Green’s career would quickly rise under Mitchell’s guidance. Mitchell was instrumental in co-producing and engineering all Green’s albums between 1970 and 1976. This period was the singer’s most successful. Mitchell also continued to release solo albums, including Soul Bag, Robbins’ Nest and Hold It. He also produced albums for Syl Johnson and Ann Peebles. Mitchell released occasional solo albums but continued to produce recordings for Otis Clay and Jimmy King. Wright among others. In the late ’90s, Mitchell compilations were released (1998)’s Hi Masters and 1999’s Soul Serenade. The Mitchell series continued into the 21st century, with a double-disc collection, Poppa Willie, 1962-1974. There was also a two-for-one CD release, “It’s What’s happening”/The Hit Sound Of Willie Mitchell, and Soul Serenade/Willie Mitchell live. Mitchell was also the owner and operator of Memphis’ Royal Recording Studio. On January 5, 2010, he died in Memphis.
