Booker T. Jones

Biography

Renowned as the organist and leader of the unparalleled Stax house band Booker T. & the MG's, Memphis native Booker T. Jones remained active as a solo artist after the breakup of the legendary quartet. Jones was the first to leave the group in 1968, relocating to Los Angeles and producing Bill Withers' 1971 gold record "Ain't No Sunshine." He recorded several albums with his wife, vocalist Priscilla Coolidge, as Booker T. & Priscilla in the early 1970s. Recording under the name Booker T., he also managed a substantial seller of his own in 1981 with "I Want You" for A&M. Jones reunited with MG's guitarist Steve Cropper and bassist Duck Dunn for a series of tours in the early '90s. He spent the rest of the decade lending his multi-instrumental prowess to a number of other albums, from Soul Asylum's Grave Dancer's Union to several John Lee Hooker releases. Although hidden from the public's eye for several years, he emerged in 2009 with Potato Hole, a solo album recorded with acclaimed alt-country outfit the Drive-By Truckers and featuring Neil Young on guitar. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide