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Booker T. Jones

Booker T. Jones grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and was a child prodigy who played the oboe, saxophone, trombone, and piano at school, and was also the organist at church. While still in high school, he helped to direct the school band and he co-wrote his first hit, "Green Onions," which entered the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1962 and peaked at number 3 by September 1962. "Green Onions" was also number 1 on the soul singles chart for four consecutive weeks. It continues to be an instrumental classic to the present, 50 years later.

After graduating from high school, Booker T attended Indiana University to study composition and music theory. During this time, he continued to compose music and write songs, to play with the MGs in Memphis, Tennessee on the weekends, and sit in as session musician for other Stax Records musicians.

Booker T has worked with and/or played with a wide variety of music artists, including: Otis Redding, Albert King, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Wayne Newton, Isaac Hayes, The Manhattan Transfer, Clive Davis, Al Green, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Bill Withers, The Allman Brothers Band, Barbara Streisand, Levon Helm, Hall & Oates, Ike and Tina Turner, John Lee Hooker, George Clinton, The O'Jays, Roy Orbison, Billy Idol, Boz Scaggs, Santana, Boyz II Men, Linda Ronstadt, Lionel Ritchie, Toni Braxton, and Neil Young.

As a producer, Booker T worked with Rita Coolidge, Willie Nelson (Stardust), Bill Withers (Just As I Am), and Neil Young (Are You Passionate?), to name a few.

 

Some highlights of Booker T's long illustrious career:

1962 - "Green Onions" becomes a smash hit

1992 - induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1995 - first Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Cruisin'

2007 - lifetime achievement Grammy Award

2009 - new solo album Potato Hole

2010 - Best Instrumental Album Grammy Award for Potato Hole

2011 - release of Road to Memphis album, featuring The Roots as backup band

2012 - Best Pop Instrumental Album Grammy Award for Road to Memphis

2012 - awarded an honorary doctorate of music from the Jacobs School of Music

Congratulations, Dr. Booker T. Jones!

2012 - The Stone Age Institute Craftsmanship Award

See more photos and videos of Dr. Booker T. Jones' special evening at The Stone Age Institute.

 

For more information about Dr. Jones's music, please visit the following websites:

Booker T Jones official website

Booker T interview at Indiana University

Booker T. Jones wikipedia page