Every day deserves to be a fun day! (Attributed to Raggedy)
Prince Phillipp Mitchell was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 27, 1944.
His career began in the late 50's when he sang with The Premiers and The Checkmates.
While he had composed hit records for Mel and Tim, Millie Jackson, Joe Simon and Norman Connors, he never was successful as a singer himself. No wonder he retired from the business in the late 70's. I don't think it was a coincidence either that he did so at the height of the disco era. Many a serious musician decided not to follow the direction music took after those two decades of incredible creativity, the 60's and 70's, had come to an end.
The list of recordings on which he receives credit as composer or arranger is quite impressive too: Bobby Womack, Cissy Houston, William Bell, Walker Bros., Archie Bell and the Drells, just to name a handful. So, without a doubt, Phillip Mitchell left his mark on numerous tunes that are considered classics of R&B and soul.
He recorded for Hi Records, Atlantic, Shout, Event, and in late 80's, he returned from his self-imposed exile to record two albums for Ichiban.
Like so many artists that came before him and followed him, he is hopelessly underrated.
Previous post on Prince Phillip Mitchell.
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Album Discography (Discogs):
Make It Good (Atlantic, 1978)
Top Of The Line (Atlantic, 1979)
Devastation (Ichiban, 1986)
Loner (Ichiban, 1991)
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