Sam Hutchins RIP

Yet another soul man has passed on, this time Sammie 'Sam' Hutchins at the age of 79, who recorded as a solo artist and was for many years lead singer of the Masqueraders. He wasn't an original member of the group, which was formed in Dallas in 1957 and who also recorded some records in Detroit in the mid sixties, but recorded three solo singles for Mala and Chips Moman's AGP label with background support from the group. These included a cover of Roger Miller's 'Dang Me', 'I Can't Stop Crying' and 'Big D Breakdown'. The group recorded tracks for AGP, including two which were leased to Wand. The Masqeraders had success with 'I Ain't Gonna Love Nobody Else', which was later recorded by Bobby Womack on his 'Womagic' album, and just missed the R and B top 20 with 'I'm Just An Average Guy' on AGP. They returned to Dallas, with Sam now a member, and released a couple of singles without success. Returning to Memphis they met Willie Mitchell and recorded two singles for Hi ('Let The Love Bells Ring' and 'Wake Up Fool') and then linked up with Isaac Hayes on his Hot Buttered Soul label. This was probably their most successful period, with two albums ('Everybody Wanna Live On' and 'Love Anonymous') and three singles, including 'Baby It's You'. They recorded some singles for the Pathfinder label, owned by Al Green's producer Al Zalesky, and a final album for Bang in 1980. That might have been the end but they reappeared in 2017 singing 'A Change Is Gonna Come' on America's Got Talent, which led to several singles of previously unreleased tracks being issued. In 2020 they collaborated with Eli 'Paperboy' Reed on 'Anytime You Want Me'. Sadly I never got the chance to see the group live, but those who did were mightily impressed. RIP Sam.