Don Bryant

Biography

Don Bryant, born April 4, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, emerged from a deeply musical family and a gospel-rich environment. His father, Edward Bryant, led the Four Stars of Harmony, and Don began singing in church at age five, later joining his father’s group before forming his own high school gospel quartet, the Four Kings, which successfully crossed over into secular R&B. Bryant’s early talent was recognized by bandleader Willie Mitchell, who brought him on as a lead singer and, crucially, as a songwriter for Hi Records. By age 18, Bryant was penning songs for Memphis’s top soul artists, quickly establishing himself as a prolific writer and performer.

Bryant’s career flourished through the 1960s and 1970s, both as a solo artist and as a staff songwriter. He released his own singles and the 1969 album 'Precious Soul,' but his greatest impact came behind the scenes, writing or co-writing over 150 songs for Hi Records. His most celebrated collaboration was with Ann Peebles, for whom he co-wrote the iconic 1973 hit 'I Can’t Stand the Rain.' The pair married in 1974, and Bryant continued to write and perform, primarily in gospel, for decades. After a long hiatus from solo recording, Bryant returned to the spotlight with the critically acclaimed albums 'Don’t Give Up on Love' (2017) and 'You Make Me Feel' (2020), earning overdue recognition as a masterful Memphis soul singer and songwriter.

Bryant’s musical style is rooted in gospel, classic soul, and blues, characterized by emotive vocals and heartfelt lyricism. His legacy is defined by his contributions to the Memphis soul sound, his enduring songwriting, and his influence on subsequent generations of soul and blues musicians.

Fun Facts

• Bryant wrote his first recorded song, 'I Got to Know,' for the '5' Royales in 1960 while still a teenager.
• He co-wrote 'I Can’t Stand the Rain,' which John Lennon once called his favorite song.
• After decades focused on gospel and songwriting, Bryant made a major comeback as a solo artist in his seventies, releasing new albums to critical acclaim.
• Bryant’s early career included performing uncredited vocals on several Willie Mitchell band recordings, leading some listeners to mistake his voice for Mitchell’s.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Willie Mitchell - Bandleader and producer who recognized Bryant’s talent, brought him into his band, and mentored him as a songwriter and solo artist at Hi Records. (Four Kings recordings, solo singles, songwriting for Hi Records) [late 1950s–1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Ann Peebles - Frequent songwriting partner and wife; co-wrote major hits including 'I Can’t Stand the Rain.' ('I Can’t Stand the Rain', multiple Hi Records releases) [1970s–present]
• Scott Bomar - Producer, multi-instrumentalist, and frequent collaborator in Bryant’s modern recordings and live performances. ('Don’t Give Up on Love', 'You Make Me Feel', live performances with the Bo-Keys) [2010s–present]
• Willie Mitchell - Collaborated as bandleader, producer, and arranger on Bryant’s early recordings and performances. (Four Kings, solo singles, Hi Records productions) [late 1950s–1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Ann Peebles - Bryant’s songwriting and musical partnership helped shape her signature sound and career. ('I Can’t Stand the Rain', other Hi Records hits) [1970s]
• Contemporary Memphis soul/blues artists - Bryant’s songwriting and vocal style have inspired a new generation of Memphis musicians, especially those associated with the Bo-Keys and Fat Possum Records. (Modern Memphis soul/blues recordings) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Is It Over (You Make Me Feel)
2. A Nickel and a Nail (Don't Give up on Love)
3. How Do I Get There? (Don't Give up on Love)
4. Slip Away (Precious Soul)
5. Did You Ever Have the Blues? (Rare & Unissued Hi Recordings)
6. It Ain't Easy (Rare & Unissued Hi Recordings)
7. 99 Pounds (You Make Me Feel)
8. (You're A) Wonderful One (Precious Soul)
9. With Your Hand (Rare & Unissued Hi Recordings)
10. Something About You (Don't Give up on Love)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia