Rave SheetRave Sheet
Whitney Houston
"Dearest Curtis, with much love and respect, it was an honor."
Stevie Wonder
"To cover a song written by someone who, as a songwriter has greatly inspired me, is more than a pleasure - it is an honor."
Aretha Franklin
"Curtis Mayfield is to soul music what Bach was to the classic, and Gershwin and Irving Berlin were to pop music; a soul laureate and catalyst and the heart and soul of a song and a people."
Altheida Mayfield
"Curtis was a very humble person. I kind of gathered the impact he was making on the world but I don’t think it ever really hit him that he was touching hearts. I met Andre 3000 at an airport and he almost literally got down on his knees about Curtis!"
B.B. King
"Curtis has been a very good friend of mine over the years. I respect him greatly as a writer and performer."
Phill Collins
"I've been listening to Curtis' music for as long as I can remember. Even in my school group, we played his songs "I Love You Yeah," "Meeting over yonder," "People Get Ready" and many more. "I've Been Trying" was my favorite, and that is why I jumped at the chance to do it on this record. I was literally fighting people for it. It means that much to me."
Aloe Blacc
"I feel like he was a voice of inspiration to people who did not feel valued in society with songs like 'Move on Up.' And he gave a voice to romance! The beauty of the style is that the voice is tender and approachable, not aggressive or threatening but at the same time the lyrics are powerful and politically charged. You've got as hooky, catchy pop sound but by the time you absorb the lyric you’ve been baited and switched."
Eric Clapton
"In my opinion, he changed the course of modern music bringing refinement, 'cool', and social comment to R&B, leading the way for songwriters, players, and singers in all fields of music. He is a great talent and an inspiration to us all."
Ronald Isley
"Curtis was the forerunner in being the all-around songwriter, artist, and producer. He has a special style that has been imitated more than any other. He is a true genius."
Gladys Knight
"[Curtis] made us take a look through his music at ourselves and the world; a musical philosopher."
Lauryn Hill
"Curtis had a huge impact on the way I grew up."
Mavis Staples
"Curtis Mayfield had a long history of writing wonderful love songs, songs that you'd want to dance slow to in the basement before he went off in that other direction. And then all of a sudden he went and wrote some of the best message songs that could be out there. Curtis was a poet; his lyrics came straight from the heart and make me shiver."
Sinéad O'Conner
"The choreography that Curtis did on those Impressions records was absolutely brilliant and when you listen to reggae that’s what you hear mostly, especially in the harmonies of the backing vocals. He was a genius of gentleness who used love and encouragement, not anger, to say important things."
Steve Winwood
"Curtis is an innovator. His guitar playing set new standards and created a style that is unique and yet emulated by many. His sense of accompaniment is heightened to a degree that is reached by few. His songs have touched the lives of many people with his deep understanding of social and emotional conditions."
Carole King
"I think every day should be a tribute to Curtis Mayfield."
Jerry Butler
"Curtis was self-contained and had it all going on. He was one bad little guy, man."
Tevin Campbell
"It was a great experience working on a song for one of the biggest legends of music."
