david porter

Biography

David Porter, born November 21, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, is a seminal figure in American soul music, renowned as a songwriter, producer, singer, and entrepreneur. Growing up on Virginia Avenue, Porter formed a gospel group at age six with Maurice White, who would later found Earth, Wind & Fire. By age 11, Porter was leading his own band and writing songs, and as a teenager, he performed in Memphis clubs under the name 'Little David.' After a brief stint at LeMoyne College, he began working at Stax Records, initially as a background vocalist and later as a songwriter and producer[2][3][5].

Porter's partnership with Isaac Hayes at Stax Records became legendary, producing classics such as "Hold On, I'm Coming," "Soul Man," and "I Thank You" for Sam & Dave, among many others. Their songwriting prowess helped define the Memphis soul sound of the 1960s and 1970s, and Porter’s catalog now exceeds 1,700 songwriting and composer credits for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to Drake and Wu-Tang Clan[1][4]. His work has been widely sampled and covered, influencing generations of musicians across genres. Porter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and named one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time in 2015[4].

Beyond his creative output, Porter has been a key figure in nurturing Memphis’s musical legacy, founding the Consortium MMT to develop local talent and serving as Vice President of A&R/Talent at Stax. His influence extends through his mentorship, philanthropy, and tireless advocacy for the music industry in Memphis, cementing his legacy as one of soul music’s most important architects[4][2].

Fun Facts

• Porter met Isaac Hayes while selling insurance, and their conversation quickly turned to music, sparking their iconic songwriting partnership[2].
• He borrowed $500 from a local preacher as a teenager to start Genie Records, releasing early works that influenced later hits like 'Gimme Some Lovin''[3].
• Porter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and named one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time in 2015[4].
• He founded the Consortium MMT, a nonprofit dedicated to developing Memphis’s music industry and mentoring young talent[4].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jerry Butler - Porter sought advice from Butler when he visited Memphis, learning the importance of diversifying in the music business. (Counsel and mentorship, not direct collaborations) [Late 1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Isaac Hayes - Co-writer and creative partner at Stax Records; together they wrote numerous soul classics. (Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man', 'Hold On, I'm Coming', Carla Thomas's 'B-A-B-Y', Johnnie Taylor's 'I Got to Love Somebody’s Baby', Lou Rawls's 'Your Good Thing Is About to Come to an End') [1960s–1970s]
• Booker T. Jones - Early collaborator and introduced Jones to Stax for session work. (Session work, early Stax recordings) [Early 1960s]
• Maurice White - Childhood gospel group partner and lifelong friend. (Rose Hill Baptist Church gospel group) [1940s–1950s]

Artists Influenced

• Wu-Tang Clan - Sampled Porter's compositions in their music. (Various tracks sampling Porter’s work) [1990s–present]
• Drake - Sampled Porter's songwriting in contemporary hip-hop. (Various tracks sampling Porter’s work) [2010s–present]
• Mariah Carey - Sampled Porter's songs in her hit 'Dreamlover'. ('Dreamlover') [1993]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. You Got Me Hummin' (And So It Goes)
2. Can't See You When I Want To - Alternate Take (The Spirit Of Memphis (1962-1976))
3. I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over
4. (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over (Victim Of The Joke?...An Opera)
5. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) - Remastered 1991 Album Version (Isaac Hayes Sings For Lovers)
6. Can't See You When I Want To - Alternate Take (Gritty, Groovy, & Gettin' It (Deluxe Edition))
7. Hang On Sloopy (Into A Real Thing)
8. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) - Remastered 1991 Album Version (Stax Records Presents)
9. Can't See You When I Want To (Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959-1968)
10. Baby I'm-A Want You (Isaac Hayes Sings For Lovers)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia