Memphis Horns

Biography

The Memphis Horns were an iconic American horn section, best known for their foundational role in shaping the 'Memphis sound' that defined soul, R&B, and pop music from the 1960s onward. The core duo consisted of Wayne Jackson on trumpet, born in West Memphis, Arkansas, and Andrew Love on tenor saxophone, raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Both musicians developed their talents early: Jackson began playing trumpet at age eleven and joined the Mar-Keys in high school, contributing to Stax Records' earliest successes, while Love honed his skills in his father's church and at Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records.

Their partnership began in 1965 at Stax Records, where they quickly became the go-to horn section for the label’s biggest acts, including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Booker T. & the MGs. In 1969, seeking greater creative freedom, Jackson and Love officially formed The Memphis Horns, becoming a freelance horn section in high demand across the music industry. Their signature blend of tight, melodic brass arrangements graced over 100 charting singles and 83 gold and platinum records, including classics like Otis Redding’s '(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,' Al Green’s 'Let’s Stay Together,' and Elvis Presley’s 'Suspicious Minds.'

Their influence extended well beyond Stax, as they collaborated with artists from U2 and Peter Gabriel to Billy Joel and Neil Young. The Memphis Horns' sound became synonymous with soul and pop, earning them a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Their legacy endures as pioneers who set the standard for horn sections in popular music, inspiring generations of musicians and leaving an indelible mark on American music history.

Fun Facts

• The Memphis Horns played on more than 80 gold and platinum records, making them one of the most recorded horn sections in history.
• Their sound was so sought after that producers from around the world would call Stax Records specifically to request 'some of them Memphis horns.'
• Despite their fame among musicians, the Memphis Horns remained largely unknown to the general public until they received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
• Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love were born just three days apart in 1941 and maintained a close friendship and partnership for nearly 50 years.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Willie Mitchell - Andrew Love's early mentor and favorite horn player at Hi Records (Sessions at Hi Records) [early 1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Booker T. & the MGs - Frequent collaborators as part of the Stax house band (Numerous Stax Records hits) [1960s]
• Otis Redding - Provided horn arrangements and performances on major recordings ((Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay) [1960s]
• Al Green - Session musicians for Hi Records (Let's Stay Together) [1970s]
• Robert Cray Band - Extensive touring and recording collaboration (Five albums) [1980s–1990s]
• U2 - Session work and live performances (Studio and live recordings) [1980s–1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Countless horn sections and session musicians - Blueprint for modern horn arrangements in soul and pop (Influence evident in later soul, R&B, and pop recordings) [1970s–present]
• Jack Hale, Jr. - Later member and collaborator, continued the Memphis Horns legacy (Studio sessions, All Star Superband project) [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Forecast (Calls For Pain) (Midnight Stroll)
2. Consequences (Midnight Stroll)
3. Just for Your Love (Get Up and Dance)
4. Labor Of Love (Midnight Stroll)
5. Walk Around Time (Midnight Stroll)
6. Bouncin' Back (Midnight Stroll)
7. Can't Lose What You Never Had (Blues)
8. The Grosser (Hitstory)
9. These Things (Midnight Stroll)
10. Bouncin' Back

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia