Did you know one of the most influential soul musicians is from Illinois?

Curtis Mayfield was born in raised in Chicago, living in the Cabrini-Green housing development while attending school alongside his four siblings, mother and grandmother.

He received his first guitar at 10 years old, where he taught himself how to play while admiring blues signers such as Muddy Waters. At 16, he joined the music group “The Roosters” with his friend, Jerry Butler, and brothers, Arthur and Richard Brooks, where they sang and composed music.

Later renaming the group to “The Impressions,” they had two hit singles with Butler, who later left the group. Curtis Mayfield became the lead singer while still composing, leading to their further rise in popularity, especially for songs such as “People Get Ready” and “It’s All Right.”

Both he and “The Impressions” were known for singing openly about civil rights and introducing social consciousness into African-American music, where the soundtrack “Keep On Pushing” was often sang or played during protests following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This song was later banned from playing on several radio stations, including some in Chicago.

Following the popularity and scrutiny of “Keep On Pushing,” he continued to make a social impact through his songs during his solo career. Seeing the rise of drug use across communities in America, his songs often served as warnings to the dangers they bring.

In 1990, Mayfield became paralyzed from the neck down after an on-stage accident. Although he could not play guitar anymore, he continued to compose and sing while lying down. Before his death in 1999, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside other famous artists such as Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.

To learn more about Curtis Mayfield and his work, click here.