Willie Mitchell, 1928-2010

Willie Mitchell, 1928–2010

A cornerstone of Memphis, pianist, producer and bandleader Willie Mitchell died yesterday at age 81. Aside from making his own music, Mitchell owned and operated the Hi Records label after 1970, home of Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, and most notably, Al Green. It’s not a stretch to say that Mitchell is responsible for some of the very greatest soul music ever recorded.