June 4, 2021 • 11 mins
Curtis Mayfield is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a second time by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Diddy marvels at Mayfield’s ability to connect to the human experience as a singer, songwriter, poet & pioneer. Longtime manager and friend Marvin Hyman accepts the award on his behalf, sharing Mayfield's appreciation of hip-hop & R&B artists who had sampled his songs, allowing his music to live on and be shared with a new generation of music fans.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
M Welcome to Induction Vault, a production of I Heart
Radio and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. M Hmmm,
ladies and gentlemanly give it up. In Curtis Mayfield was
(00:33):
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for
a second time after already being in as a member
of the Impressions. Paying tribute to Mayfield that night was
producer and record exact Sean Combs, a k a. Diddy,
who painted the fullest picture of the soul icon. He
was a singer, a songwriter, and a producer, but he
(00:53):
was also a preacher, a teacher, a poet, and a pioneer.
Did he marvel's Mayfield's ability to connect to the human experience,
from hope to despair, from the sinners to the saints.
Members of Mayfield's family, along with longtime manager and friend
Marvin Hyman, accept the award on his behalf. Hyman share
(01:16):
some words from Mayfield, who specifically shouted out the hip
hop and R and B artist who had sampled and
covered his songs, allowing his music to live on and
be shared with the new generation of music fans. Mayfield
was unable to attend the ceremony due to health reasons,
but shared his gratitude through a touching video. Mayfield passed
(01:37):
away later that same year, but this night gave him
his roses when he could still smell him. What's up, Danny.
(02:08):
All great music is soul music. No matter what genre
of music it is, it has to contain a little
bit of soul. And God knows nobody ever had more
soul than my man Curtis Mayfield. To paraphrase that great
Old Impression song, the Man's Got Soul. Curtis Mayfield has
(02:32):
always been a divine artist in every sense of the word.
He's a preacher, a teacher, a poet, a founding funk pioneer.
From his early days in Chicago, he brought a sense
of religious purity to his music. Whether he was creating
his songs for the church or his songs for the streets,
(02:52):
Curtis realized there was no difference. Curtis Mayfield wrote songs
connected with sinners and saints and other people that had
to get ready. Whether they were songs of hope or
songs of despair. He wrote about the human experience with
amazing grace and remarkable honesty. His music has always communicated
(03:15):
a sense of the holy and the sting of the truth.
Growing up, it was hard to imagine some of these
creations were actually written by a man. They sounded timeless,
god given, and I believe they were. When Curtis Mayfield left,
(03:37):
he left an impression, one of giants vocal soul, one
of the one of the I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous,
I meant to say. When he left the Impressions, they
were one of the giant vocal soul groups of all time.
He had it on his way in nine seventy, and
(04:00):
he bravely showed us amazing new size of that beautiful
soul of his and all the realities of American life change.
Mayfield's music reflected those changes and ways that we're both
frightening and gorgeous and funky as hell. You can hear
it on such killed tracks as Freddie's Dad, super Flies,
(04:27):
Push Your Man, and don't worry if there's a hell below,
We're all gonna go. I think I sampled one of
two of those rectords myself. Somehow, as Tim's got tougher,
the music got even deeper, which is to say very deep. Indeed,
(04:53):
since then, Curtis Mayfield has proven himself to be unstoppable
and ways which are simply be on description. His six
New World Order album was much more than a comeback.
It was the return of a much needed voice and
an inspiring heart. Suffice to say, as much soul as
(05:15):
Curtis Mayfield has shown us over the years through his
genius as a singer, a songwriter, a producer and a
guitar player, he showed us even more as a man.
For all these reasons and millions more, is my profound
honor to welcome this legend into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. After the break, we'll hear from Mark
(05:45):
Himan and listen to a special message by Curtis Mayfield
sent into the ceremony on the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame induction belt. Thank you Yeah. I'm Marv Stewart Hyman.
I've been Curtis Mayfield's manager, partner, and friend for thirty years.
(06:09):
Standing next to me is his love, the woman stood
by him, cared for him since the day of the
accident well before that, ALTHEA Mayfield, Mrs Curtis Mayfield, and
representing all of his children is Mr Shay Mayfield. Curtis
(06:37):
was honored a few years ago when he was inducted
with the impressions, the honor that you bestow upon him
tonight moved him to a great deal. As a Thursday,
he was coming in to be the recipient of this award. Unfortunately,
(06:57):
with his medical condition and some setbacks, he couldn't attend,
but he wanted me to say the following things. First
of all, he wants to thank the recording industry, Warner
Brothers Records for all their love and support, b Am I,
Francis Preston, and his fans who have made it all possible.
(07:23):
The artists through the years that have recorded his music,
that have kept his music alive. In the last nine
years with the evolution of hip hop and rap. All
of you that have sampled his music, from Coolio to
Dr Dre, Tupac, Puff Daddy, Lauren Hill, who he just
(07:46):
uh just mixed and did a duet with Mr Mayfield.
All of you had made his life worthwhile. I said
to Curtis, there's there's nothing I can say with the
circumstances befel you. He says, don't feel sorry for me.
(08:09):
It could have happened to anybody. I was just there.
It's his music that goes on. Bruce Springsteen, who you're
honoring tonight, and Eric Clapton, who you'll hear from in
a minute, are two special people that Curtis wanted me
to personally thank. They were the first two artists to
(08:30):
join and be part of a tribute album of Curtis's music.
Eric Clapton has been for curt been behind Curtis, has
spoken for Curtis, and has done a tremendous amount of
things from day one since his accident, probably way before that,
and for that he sends his love. All I can
say to all of you in the Rock and Roll
(08:51):
Hall of Fame, thank you, Thank you for honoring my
friend while his eyes are still open. I'm truly honored
this year to have been inaugurated, along with Paul McCartney,
for the second time, into the Rock and Roll Hall
(09:13):
of Fame. That's a guest right there. I am so
pleased to share this induction with such greats as Billy,
Joe Dale, Shannon, Dusty Springfield, Pops, and the Staples singers
Charles Brown and Bob Wills. I am also thankful for
(09:35):
Bruce Springsteen, Puff Daddy D'Angelo and Eric Clapton for always
being there during my time of needs. My greatest admiration
goes to George Martin for his productive work with so
many artists, um not to mention the Beatles and so
(09:57):
many others. I am so sorry that my health prohibits
me from attending tonight's awards, but break a leg anyway,
I am there with you in spirit. I wish to
thank my friend of thirty years, Marvenheim and Warrener Brothers,
(10:19):
my wife, and my children for their love and support.
Thank you. Thanks for joining us on this week's episode
(10:51):
of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault. For
more on your favorite inductees, to shop inductee merch or
to plan your trip to the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame, visit rock Hall dot com. Plus view Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Special on demand on
HBO Max. Our executive producers are Noel Brown, Shelby Morrison
and Reesa Gurkey. Supervising producer is Taylor shakogn Research and
(11:16):
archival assistants from Isabelle Keeper and Shannon Herb. Thanks again
for joining us on this week's episode of Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault. Induction Ball is a
production of i heart Radio and the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. For more podcasts from my heart Radio,
(11:36):
visit the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite podcasts.
M Welcome to Induction Vault, a production of I Heart
Radio and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. M Hmmm,
ladies and gentlemanly give it up. In Curtis Mayfield was
(00:33):
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for
a second time after already being in as a member
of the Impressions. Paying tribute to Mayfield that night was
producer and record exact Sean Combs, a k a. Diddy,
who painted the fullest picture of the soul icon. He
was a singer, a songwriter, and a producer, but he
(00:53):
was also a preacher, a teacher, a poet, and a pioneer.
Did he marvel's Mayfield's ability to connect to the human experience,
from hope to despair, from the sinners to the saints.
Members of Mayfield's family, along with longtime manager and friend
Marvin Hyman, accept the award on his behalf. Hyman share
(01:16):
some words from Mayfield, who specifically shouted out the hip
hop and R and B artist who had sampled and
covered his songs, allowing his music to live on and
be shared with the new generation of music fans. Mayfield
was unable to attend the ceremony due to health reasons,
but shared his gratitude through a touching video. Mayfield passed
(01:37):
away later that same year, but this night gave him
his roses when he could still smell him. What's up, Danny.
(02:08):
All great music is soul music. No matter what genre
of music it is, it has to contain a little
bit of soul. And God knows nobody ever had more
soul than my man Curtis Mayfield. To paraphrase that great
Old Impression song, the Man's Got Soul. Curtis Mayfield has
(02:32):
always been a divine artist in every sense of the word.
He's a preacher, a teacher, a poet, a founding funk pioneer.
From his early days in Chicago, he brought a sense
of religious purity to his music. Whether he was creating
his songs for the church or his songs for the streets,
(02:52):
Curtis realized there was no difference. Curtis Mayfield wrote songs
connected with sinners and saints and other people that had
to get ready. Whether they were songs of hope or
songs of despair. He wrote about the human experience with
amazing grace and remarkable honesty. His music has always communicated
(03:15):
a sense of the holy and the sting of the truth.
Growing up, it was hard to imagine some of these
creations were actually written by a man. They sounded timeless,
god given, and I believe they were. When Curtis Mayfield left,
(03:37):
he left an impression, one of giants vocal soul, one
of the one of the I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous,
I meant to say. When he left the Impressions, they
were one of the giant vocal soul groups of all time.
He had it on his way in nine seventy, and
(04:00):
he bravely showed us amazing new size of that beautiful
soul of his and all the realities of American life change.
Mayfield's music reflected those changes and ways that we're both
frightening and gorgeous and funky as hell. You can hear
it on such killed tracks as Freddie's Dad, super Flies,
(04:27):
Push Your Man, and don't worry if there's a hell below,
We're all gonna go. I think I sampled one of
two of those rectords myself. Somehow, as Tim's got tougher,
the music got even deeper, which is to say very deep. Indeed,
(04:53):
since then, Curtis Mayfield has proven himself to be unstoppable
and ways which are simply be on description. His six
New World Order album was much more than a comeback.
It was the return of a much needed voice and
an inspiring heart. Suffice to say, as much soul as
(05:15):
Curtis Mayfield has shown us over the years through his
genius as a singer, a songwriter, a producer and a
guitar player, he showed us even more as a man.
For all these reasons and millions more, is my profound
honor to welcome this legend into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. After the break, we'll hear from Mark
(05:45):
Himan and listen to a special message by Curtis Mayfield
sent into the ceremony on the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame induction belt. Thank you Yeah. I'm Marv Stewart Hyman.
I've been Curtis Mayfield's manager, partner, and friend for thirty years.
(06:09):
Standing next to me is his love, the woman stood
by him, cared for him since the day of the
accident well before that, ALTHEA Mayfield, Mrs Curtis Mayfield, and
representing all of his children is Mr Shay Mayfield. Curtis
(06:37):
was honored a few years ago when he was inducted
with the impressions, the honor that you bestow upon him
tonight moved him to a great deal. As a Thursday,
he was coming in to be the recipient of this award. Unfortunately,
(06:57):
with his medical condition and some setbacks, he couldn't attend,
but he wanted me to say the following things. First
of all, he wants to thank the recording industry, Warner
Brothers Records for all their love and support, b Am I,
Francis Preston, and his fans who have made it all possible.
(07:23):
The artists through the years that have recorded his music,
that have kept his music alive. In the last nine
years with the evolution of hip hop and rap. All
of you that have sampled his music, from Coolio to
Dr Dre, Tupac, Puff Daddy, Lauren Hill, who he just
(07:46):
uh just mixed and did a duet with Mr Mayfield.
All of you had made his life worthwhile. I said
to Curtis, there's there's nothing I can say with the
circumstances befel you. He says, don't feel sorry for me.
(08:09):
It could have happened to anybody. I was just there.
It's his music that goes on. Bruce Springsteen, who you're
honoring tonight, and Eric Clapton, who you'll hear from in
a minute, are two special people that Curtis wanted me
to personally thank. They were the first two artists to
(08:30):
join and be part of a tribute album of Curtis's music.
Eric Clapton has been for curt been behind Curtis, has
spoken for Curtis, and has done a tremendous amount of
things from day one since his accident, probably way before that,
and for that he sends his love. All I can
say to all of you in the Rock and Roll
(08:51):
Hall of Fame, thank you, Thank you for honoring my
friend while his eyes are still open. I'm truly honored
this year to have been inaugurated, along with Paul McCartney,
for the second time, into the Rock and Roll Hall
(09:13):
of Fame. That's a guest right there. I am so
pleased to share this induction with such greats as Billy,
Joe Dale, Shannon, Dusty Springfield, Pops, and the Staples singers
Charles Brown and Bob Wills. I am also thankful for
(09:35):
Bruce Springsteen, Puff Daddy D'Angelo and Eric Clapton for always
being there during my time of needs. My greatest admiration
goes to George Martin for his productive work with so
many artists, um not to mention the Beatles and so
(09:57):
many others. I am so sorry that my health prohibits
me from attending tonight's awards, but break a leg anyway,
I am there with you in spirit. I wish to
thank my friend of thirty years, Marvenheim and Warrener Brothers,
(10:19):
my wife, and my children for their love and support.
Thank you. Thanks for joining us on this week's episode
(10:51):
of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault. For
more on your favorite inductees, to shop inductee merch or
to plan your trip to the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame, visit rock Hall dot com. Plus view Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Special on demand on
HBO Max. Our executive producers are Noel Brown, Shelby Morrison
and Reesa Gurkey. Supervising producer is Taylor shakogn Research and
(11:16):
archival assistants from Isabelle Keeper and Shannon Herb. Thanks again
for joining us on this week's episode of Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault. Induction Ball is a
production of i heart Radio and the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. For more podcasts from my heart Radio,
(11:36):
visit the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite podcasts.
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