Curtis Mayfield to be saluted in recognition of his 70th birthday

If Curtis Mayfield were still alive, he would have been on the verge of his 70th birthday and those who knew and respected him will remember that date with Here But I'm Gone: A 70th Brithday Tribute to Curtis Mayfield on July 20 at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center.

Performers for the night range from a number of great veterans to some of today's most ambitious new stars, including Aloe Blacc, Bilal, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Inyang Bassey, Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe, Mavis Staples, Meshell Ndegeocello, The Roots, Ryan Montbleau, Sinéad O'Connor and William Bell. The house band will be led by Binky Griptite of the Dap-Kings.

Mayfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 along with the members of his group, The Impressions. Curtis left the Impressions in 1970 and embarked on a successful solo career that included the classic soundtrack to the movie Superfly along with numerous other albums. On August 13, 1990, he was struck by falling stage lighting and was paralyzed from the neck down. He died on December 26, 1999 after years of declining health.

VVN Music