Arthur Alexander

Alexander was born in Sheffield, Alabama, United States. Working with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama, Alexander recorded his first single, "Sally Sue Brown", under the name of June Alexander (short for Junior), which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records.[4] (Phillips is the brother of music pioneer Sam Phillips).

A year later, Alexander cut "You Better Move On",[1] at the fledgling FAME Studios, which at that point was located above the City Drug Store in Florence, Alabama. (The studio would shortly move to its more famous location in nearby Muscle Shoals, Alabama.) Released on Nashville's Dot Records, the song became a soul/R&B chart hit, and laid the foundation for the modern recording studio FAME.[4] "You Better Move On" is perhaps Alexander's best-known song, covered by the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, George Jones & Johnny Paycheck, Gene Clark (from The Byrds) and Mink DeVille. "Anna (Go to Him)", a U.S. R&B Top Ten Hit, was covered by the Beatles, Roger McGuinn (from The Byrds) and Humble Pie. The Beatles also did live recordings of "Soldier of Love", which was also performed by Marshall Crenshaw and Pearl Jam, "A Shot of Rhythm and Blues", and "Where Have You Been" recorded live at the Star-Club in Hamburg, 1962. "Set Me Free" (covered by Esther Phillips and Joe Tex) were also major hits and established Alexander as a pioneering arranger of others' tunes, as well as an established songwriter in his own right.

In 1962, Steve Alaimo was the first to record Alexander's "Every Day I Have to Cry", which reached No.46 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Dusty Springfield also recorded the song for her first UK solo EP, "I Only Want to Be With You", released on March 6, 1964.

In the mid-1960s, Alexander switched to another label, Sound Stage 7, but failed to find commercial success.[1] Although a 1972 album for Warner Brothers was promising, the singer's potential seemed to wither.[1] He secured a pop hit with "Every Day I Have to Cry Some" on Buddah Records in 1975, but the success remained short-lived.[1] The song was also covered by Ike and Tina Turner (produced by Phil Spector), the McCoys, Dusty Springfield, Joe Stampley, C.J. Chenier, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Gentrys and others. The follow-up single "Sharing The Night Together" (written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Ava Aldridge and Eddie Struzick) reached No. 92 on the R&B charts, but earned Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show a Top 10 hit in 1978; the Dr. Hook version was used in the 2012 Family Guy episode "Mr. and Mrs. Stewie".

For many years, Alexander was out of the music business; he was a bus driver for much of this time.[1] In 1990, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He began to perform again in 1993 as renewed interest was shown in his back catalogue.[1] His last album Lonely Just Like Me was his first in 21 years.

He signed a new recording/publishing contract in May 1993 but suffered a fatal heart attack on 9 June 1993 in Nashville, three days after performing there with his new band.[1] He is buried in Florence City Cemetery in Florence, Alabama.[5]

Alexander is the only songwriter whose songs have been covered on studio albums by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan (who recorded "Sally Sue Brown" on his 1988 LP Down in the Groove).[6] "Go Home Girl" was also recorded by Ry Cooder on his 1979 album Bop Till You Drop.

(USA issues except where noted)

• "Anna (Go To Him)", recorded by Alexander in 1962, covered by the Beatles[12]
• "Every Day I Have to Cry Some", covered by Ike and Tina Turner, produced by Phil Spector[13]
• "Go Home Girl", recorded by Alexander in 1962[14]
• "In the Middle of it All", recorded by Alexander in 1987[15]
• "You Better Move On", recorded by Alexander in 1961,[14] covered by the Hollies, the Rolling Stones, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Mink DeVille
• "Sally Sue Brown", recorded by Alexander in 1960, covered by Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello

• Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
• Soul music
• Country music

• Comprehensive Arthur Alexander Discography
• Arthur B. Alexander, Jr at FindaGrave
• Alabama Music Hall of Fame
• Interview With Richard Younger, "Get A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues: The Arthur Alexander Story"
• Arthur Alexander discography at Discogs
• Arthur Alexander at IMDb