Artist page

Willie Hightower is an American rhythm and blues, soul, and funk singer born in 1940 in Gadsden, Alabama. He began singing in his church choir at the age of six and formed his own gospel group, The Silver Stars, in his teens, inspired by The Soul Stirrers. Following the crossover success of Sam Cooke in 1957, Hightower decided to pursue a similar path by performing in local clubs around Birmingham. His talent caught the attention of civil rights activist and WENN dee-jay Shelley Stewart, who was impressed by Hightower's voice and sent a tape to record label owner Bobby Robinson in New York. Robinson, seeking to find 'the next Sam Cooke' after Cooke's tragic murder in 1964, offered Hightower the opportunity to record in New York.

For any edit requests, please reach out to info@rovr.live