If you don’t know who Booker T. is (and I do not mean the W.W.E. wrestler), then it’s time for you to delve more deeply into the musical matrix. For over 50 years, Booker T. has been one of the most overlooked musical legacies in all of rock n’ roll, and one of the most legendary sidemen the business has ever seen.
His career was launched working as a studio musician at Stax Records in Memphis, TN. It was there, along with the other M.G.’s (his subsequent back-up band for the next few decades), played back-up on some of the most quintessential recordings of the 60’s. Some of these recordings were Eddie Floyd’s “I’ve Never Found a Girl (to love me like you do)”, Otis Redding’s “I Love You More Than Words Can Say”, and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign”.
On top of that he found time to record his own gargantuan hit in his own right, with the instrumental classic “Green Onions”. And during this time, Booker T. studied classical composition at Indiana University – resigning his live performances with The M.G.’s to only on weekends.
In the years since he has continued to write, record, and tour, all while preserving the Memphis legacy that he and so many worked so hard to build. His output has been so prolific, it’s nearly impossible to sift through every song Booker T. has ever put notes to.
He has continued to play over the decades with what always proves to be the next generation of classic rockers – keeping himself relevant and contemporary to people from Stephen Stills and Neil Young; to Drive-By Truckers and even Louisville’s own Jim James. Booker T. was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Booker T. Jones is on tour to support his latest album "Sound the Alarm", and will be performing tomorrow night, April 12th @Mercury Ballroom, 7 PM - $28.50
