Arthur Alexander
Real Name: Arthur Bernard Alexander Jr.
Born: May 10, 1940, Florence, Alabama
Died: June 9, 1993, Nashville, Tennessee
Arthur Alexander was a southern soul/ country soul singer who was one of the first to record at a prototype Muscle Shoals Studio. In fact, the money from the hit "You'd Better Move On" enabled Mother Man to properly develop these studios.
Alexander never really made a splash as a singer: especially, after suffering health problems that forced him to retire from the music business in 1975. A 1993 comeback album was well received by audiences and critics alike, but a comeback tour was cut short by his premature death from heart failure in its early stages.
Despite having a few minor hits, Alexander is better known for other people's versions of his songs. The Beatless and The The Rolling Stones owe a debt to this singer from Alabama, USA. His tragic, harmony-laden 'Anna' was covered on 45362, and 'You Better Move On' appears on 54293 EP. Other artists who've sung Alexander-penned songs include 107567. Also, 'If It's Really Got to Be This Way' appears on 1339393 and 'Every Day I Have to Cry Some' on 103285. Alexander sings in a soft, low crooning style somewhat akin to Sam Cooke.