Editing Al Green

{{short description|American soul singer, songwriter and pastor (born 1946)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Al Green
| image             = Al Green in Washington D.C (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Green in 1996
| birth_name        = Albert Leornes Greene
| alias             = The Reverend Al Green
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1946|4|13}}
| birth_place       = [[Forrest City, Arkansas]], U.S.
| instrument        = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| discography       = [[Al Green discography]]
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Soul music|Soul]]|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[gospel music|gospel]]|[[Southern soul]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|date=n.d.|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/al-green-mn0000607448/biography|title=Al Green|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>|[[progressive soul]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Himes|first=Geoffrey|authorlink=Geoffrey Himes|date=December 23, 1992|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/12/23/recordings/4b528f58-8442-4e3c-941d-7f7df0308472/|title=Recordings|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|pastor |record producer}}
| years_active      = 1966–present
| label             = {{hlist|[[Hi Records|Hi]]|[[Myrrh Records|Myrrh]]|[[The Right Stuff Records|The Right Stuff]]|[[Fat Possum Records|Fat Possum]]|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[Word Records|Word]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]|[[MCA Records|MCA]]|[[Blue Note Records|Blue Note]]}}
| website           = {{URL|https://www.al-green.com/}}
}}

'''Albert Leornes Greene''' (born April 13, 1946), known professionally as '''Al Green''', is an American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer. He is best known for recording a series of [[Soul music|soul]] [[hit single]]s in the early 1970s, including "[[Tired of Being Alone]]" (1971), "[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green song)|I'm Still in Love with You]]" (1972), "[[Love and Happiness]]" (1973), "[[Take Me to the River]]" (1974), and his [[signature song]], "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" (1972).<ref name=hall/> After his girlfriend died by [[suicide]], Green became an ordained [[pastor]] and turned to [[gospel music]]. He later returned to [[secular music]].<ref name="chicagotribune" /><ref name="brunner" />

Green was [[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees|inducted]] into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1995. He was referred to on the museum's site as being "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music".<ref name="hall">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/al-green|title=Al Green|publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]}}</ref> He has also been referred to as "The Last of the Great Soul Singers".<ref>{{cite book |last=Bogdanov |first=Vladimir |title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA285 |year=2003 |page=285 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |access-date=April 18, 2014 |isbn=9780879307448}}</ref> Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a [[Kennedy Center Honors]] recipient. He was included in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s 2008 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", ranking at No. 65,<ref name="justin" /> as well as its 2023 list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time", at No. 10.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/al-green-6-1234643199/|title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|date=January 1, 2023|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 23, 2023}}</ref> 

Green is a canonical [[Memphis soul]] artist. He collaborated closely with many of Memphis's most notable R&B musicians; a long and prolific partnership with producer/arranger [[Willie Mitchell (musician)|Willie Mitchell]] and the [[Hi Rhythm Section]] yielded Green's greatest commercial success.

==Early life==
Albert Leornes Greene<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/01/03/silent-no-longer/|title=Silent No Longer|last=Fountain|first=John W.|date=March 1, 1995|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-date=June 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601100241/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-01-03/features/9501030138_1_spousal-abuse-domestic-violence-marriage}}</ref> was born on April 13, 1946, in [[Forrest City, Arkansas]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Hill |first=Jack W. |title=Al Green (1946–) |url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2773 |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture |publisher=Central Arkansas Library Foundation}}</ref> as the sixth of ten children born to Cora Lee and [[sharecropper]] Robert G. Greene Jr. At around the age of ten, Al began performing with his sister in a group called the Greene Brothers. During the late 1950s, the Greene family relocated to [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Darden |first=Robert |title=People Get Ready!: A New History of Black Gospel Music |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |year=2005 |page=[https://archive.org/details/peoplegetreadyne0000dard/page/296 296] |isbn=0-8264-1752-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/peoplegetreadyne0000dard/page/296}}</ref>

While still a teenager, Al was kicked out of the family home after his devoutly religious father caught him listening to [[Jackie Wilson]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Booth |first=Stanley |title=Rhythm Oil: A Journey Through the Music of the American South |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2000 |page=150 |isbn=0-306-80979-6}}</ref> He then lived with a [[prostitute]], began hustling,{{clarify|date=December 2021}} and indulged in [[recreational drug]]s.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal|last=King|first=Aliya S.|title=Love and Unhappiness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyYEAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+divorce+shirley+1982&pg=PA191|journal=Vibe|pages=1986–191 |date=December 2004}}</ref>

<blockquote>"[I listened to] [[Mahalia Jackson]], all the great gospel singers. But the most important music to me was those hip-shakin' boys: [[Wilson Pickett]] and [[Elvis Presley]]. When I was 13, I just loved Elvis Presley. Whatever he got, I went out and bought."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/1645/|title=Q&A with Al Green – Nymag|last=Brown|first=Ethan|date=March 30, 2005|website=New York Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

In high school, Al formed a vocal group called Al Greene & the Creations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/al-green-37614#commercial-success |title=Kicked Out of House |website=[[Biography.com]] |access-date=May 19, 2016}}</ref> Two of the group's members, Curtis Rodgers and Palmer James, formed an independent label called Hot Line Music Journal. In 1966, having changed their name to Al Greene & the Soul Mates, they recorded the song "Back Up Train", releasing it on Hot Line Music.<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=first|isbn=0-85112-733-9|pages=105–107}}</ref> The song was a hit on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] charts and peaked at No. 46 in the [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cashbox'' Top 100]]. However, the group's subsequent follow-ups failed to chart, as did their debut album ''[[Back Up Train]]''. While performing with the Soul Mates, Green came into contact with [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] record producer [[Willie Mitchell (musician)|Willie Mitchell]], who hired him in 1969 to be a vocalist for a Texas show with Mitchell's band. Following the performance, Mitchell asked Green to sign with his [[Hi Records]] label.<ref name="LarkinSM"/>

==Career==
===Early success===
Having noted that Green had been trying to sing like Jackie Wilson, [[Sam Cooke]], [[Wilson Pickett]], and [[James Brown]], Mitchell became his vocal mentor, coaching him into finding his own voice. Before releasing his first album with [[Hi Records]], Green removed the final "e" from his name. Subsequently, he released ''[[Green Is Blues]]'' (1969), which was a moderate success. His follow-up album, ''[[Al Green Gets Next to You]]'' (1971), featured the hit R&B cover of [[the Temptations]]' "[[I Can't Get Next to You]]", recorded in a slow [[Blues music|blues]]-oriented style.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The album also featured his first significant hit, "[[Tired of Being Alone]]",<ref name="LarkinSM"/> which sold a million copies and was certified gold, becoming the first of eight gold singles Green would release between 1971 and 1974.<ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Al Green – Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Al Green 1973.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Al Green in an appearance on ''[[The Mike Douglas Show]]'' in 1973]]

Green's next album, ''[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green album)|Let's Stay Together]]'' (January 1972), solidified his place in soul music.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The [[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|title track]] was his biggest hit to date, reaching number one on both the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] charts.<ref name=":6">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/al-green/chart-history/bsi/|title=Al Green Chart History|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The album became his first to be certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]]. His follow-up, ''[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green album)|I'm Still in Love with You]]'' (October 1972), went platinum with the help of the singles "[[Look What You Done for Me]]" and the [[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green song)|title track]], both of which went to the top 10 on the Hot 100. His next album, ''[[Call Me (Al Green album)|Call Me]]'' (April 1973), produced three top-10 singles: "[[You Ought to Be with Me]]", "[[Call Me (Come Back Home)]]", and "[[Here I Am (Come and Take Me)]]".<ref name=":6" /> In addition to these hit singles, Green also had radio hits with songs such as "[[Love and Happiness]]", his cover of the [[Bee Gees]]' "[[How Can You Mend a Broken Heart]]", "[[Simply Beautiful]]", "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is", and "[[Take Me to the River]]" (later covered successfully by [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Talking Heads]] and blues artist [[Syl Johnson]]).

Green's album ''[[Livin' for You]]'' (December 1973) was certified gold.<ref name=":9" /> He continued to record successful R&B hits in the next several years, including "[[Livin' for You (song)|Livin' for You]]", "Sha-La-La (Makes Me Happy)" from his album ''[[Al Green Explores Your Mind]],'' "Let's Get Married", "[[L-O-V-E (Love)]]" and "[[Full of Fire (song)|Full of Fire]]".

By the time Green released ''[[The Belle Album]]'' in 1977, however, his record sales had plummeted, partially due to Green's own personal issues during this time and his desire to become a [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Strong |first1=Martin C. |last2=Peel |first2=John |title=The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded by More Than 1,200 Artists |publisher=Canongate U.S. |year=2004 |page=628 |isbn=1-84195-615-5}}</ref> His last Hi Records album, ''[[Truth n' Time]]'', was released in 1978 and failed to chart top 40.

=== Gospel recordings ===
Continuing to record R&B, Green saw his sales start to slip and drew mixed reviews from critics. In 1979, he injured himself falling off the stage while performing in Cincinnati and took this as a message from God. He then concentrated his energies towards pastoring his church and [[gospel music]].<ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=Al Green (1946–) |url=http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2773 |website=encyclopediaofarkansas.net |access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref>

From 1981 to 1989, Green recorded a series of gospel albums.<ref name=":5" /> While still under contract with Hi Records, Green released the 1980 album ''[[The Lord Will Make a Way]]'', his first of six albums on the [[Christianity|Christian]] label [[Myrrh Records]].<ref name=":7" /> The title song from the album would later win Green his first of eight [[Grammy Award]]s in the Best Soul Gospel Performance category.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/al-green|title=Al Green|website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards|date=November 23, 2020}}</ref> In 1982, Green co-starred with [[Patti LaBelle]] in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] play "[[Your Arms Too Short to Box with God]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4182|title=''Your Arms Too Short to Box With God'': A Soaring Celebration in Song and Dance|website=IBDb.com|access-date=August 7, 2008}}</ref>  In 1984, director [[Robert Mugge]] released a documentary film, ''Gospel According to Al Green'', including interviews about his life and footage from his church. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell along with [[Angelo Earl]] for ''[[He Is the Light]]'', his first album for A&M Records. His 1987 follow-up, ''[[Soul Survivor (Al Green album)|Soul Survivor]]'', featured the minor hit, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", which reached No. 22 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart, his first top-40 R&B hit since "I Feel Good" in 1978.<ref name=":6" />

=== Return to secular music ===
"Let's Stay Together" was later covered by Tina Turner, her second collaboration with the British Heaven 17 and British Electric Foundation production team after "Ball of Confusion" in 1982, and served as her comeback single in late 1983. Unlike Al Green's version, Turner sings verse 2 first, then verse 1 when the band starts playing. Green returned to secular music in 1988 recording "[[Put a Little Love in Your Heart]]" with [[Annie Lennox]].<ref name="LarkinSM"/> Featured on the soundtrack to the movie ''[[Scrooged]]'', the song became Green's first top-10 pop hit since 1974. Green had a hit in 1989 with "The Message is Love" with producer [[Arthur Baker (musician)|Arthur Baker]]. Two years later, he recorded the theme song to the short-lived show ''[[Good Sports]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Good Sports | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | author = Tucker, Ken | url = https://ew.com/article/1991/01/25/good-sports/ | date=January 25, 1991}}</ref> In 1993, he signed with [[RCA Records|RCA]] and with Baker again as producer, released the album, ''Don't Look Back''. Green received his ninth Grammy award for his collaboration with [[Lyle Lovett]] for their duet of "[[Funny How Time Slips Away]]". Green's 1995 album, ''[[Your Heart's In Good Hands]]'', was released around the time that Green was inducted to the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref name=thinice>{{cite book|last=Van Til|first=Reinder |author2=Olson, Gordon|title=Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|year=2007|pages=225–226|isbn=978-0-8028-2478-3}}</ref> The one single released from the album, "[[Keep On Pushing Love (song)|Keep On Pushing Love]]", was described as "invoking the original, sparse sound of his [Green's] early classics".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1103846/a/Your+Heart's+In+Good+Hands.htm |title=Al Green – Your Heart's In Good Hands CD Album |website= CDuniverse.com |date=November 7, 1995 |access-date=April 18, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Al Green@SonomaJazz2008.jpg|thumb|200px|Green performing at the Sonoma Jazz festival, May 23, 2008]] 
In 2000, Green released his autobiography, ''Take Me to the River''. Two years later, he earned the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]] and recorded a hit R&B duet with [[Ann Nesby]] on the song, "Put It On Paper". Green again reunited with Willie Mitchell in 2003 for the album, ''[[I Can't Stop (album)|I Can't Stop]]''.<ref name=":2" /> A year later, Green re-recorded his previous song, "Simply Beautiful", with [[Queen Latifah]] on the latter's album, ''[[The Dana Owens Album]]''. In 2005, Green and Mitchell collaborated on ''[[Everything's OK (album)|Everything's OK]]''.

Green's 2008 album, ''[[Lay It Down (Al Green album)|Lay It Down]]'', was produced by [[Questlove|Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson]] and [[James Poyser]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |title=The Roots Plot Tour, ?uestlove Reworks Pharrell |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56443/the-roots-plot-tour-uestlove-reworks-pharrell |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |date=December 14, 2006}}</ref> It became Green's first album to reach the top 10 since the early 1970s. The album features a minor R&B hit with the ballad, "Stay with Me (By the Sea)", featuring [[John Legend]], and also includes duets with [[Anthony Hamilton (musician)|Anthony Hamilton]] and [[Corinne Bailey Rae]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=al green|chart=all}} |title=''Lay It Down'': Album Review |last=Jurek |first=Thom |work=Billboard.com |access-date=August 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531134401/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278275/al+green/chart |archive-date=May 31, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During an interview for promotion of the album, Green admitted that he would have liked to duet with [[Marvin Gaye]]: "In those days, people didn't sing together like they do now."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Scaggs |first=Austin |title=Al Green's Soul Revival |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/21023889/al_greens_soul_revival |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 12, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605230837/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/21023889/al_greens_soul_revival |archive-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref>

In 2009, Green recorded "[[People Get Ready (song)|People Get Ready]]" with [[Heather Headley]] on the album ''[[Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah go gospel for "Day" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE52Q6WQ20090327 |publisher=Reuters |date=March 27, 2009}}</ref> In 2010, Green performed "Let's Stay Together" on ''[[Later... with Jools Holland]]''. On September 13, 2018, Al Green released his first new recording in almost over ten years, "[[Before the Next Teardrop Falls (song)|Before the Next Teardrop Falls]]", most famously recorded by Freddy Fender in 1975. It was produced by Matt Ross-Spang and is part of Amazon Music's new "Produced By" series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Powers |first=Ann |title=Hear Al Green's First New Recording In Nearly A Decade |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/09/13/647053567/hear-al-greens-first-new-recording-in-nearly-a-decade?t=1538994456585 |publisher=NPR |date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On October 18, 1974, Green's girlfriend, Mary Woodson, assaulted him and then died by suicide at his Memphis home.<ref name=":3">{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=George F.|date=November 7, 1974|title=The Inside Story Of Fatal Shooting In Al Green's Home|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFsDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+grits+jet&pg=PA12|magazine=Jet|volume=47|issue=7|pages=12–16}}</ref><ref name=brunner>{{cite magazine |last=Brunner |first=Rob |title=Al Green's conversion |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2000/10/20/al-greens-conversion |access-date=October 26, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 20, 2000}}</ref> Although unbeknownst to Green she was already married with three children, Woodson became upset when Green refused to marry her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2002/5/17/alGreenLovesAndCherishesTheBooty|title=Al Green loves and cherishes the booty |last=Kim|first=Alice|date=May 17, 2002| work= [[The Stanford Daily]] |access-date=August 7, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080514030930/http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2002/5/17/alGreenLovesAndCherishesTheBooty |archive-date = May 14, 2008}}</ref> She doused him with a pot of boiling [[grits]] as he was preparing for bed in the bathroom, causing [[Burn|second-degree burns]] on his back, stomach, and arms which required [[skin graft]]s.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> Shortly after, Woodson fatally shot herself with his [[.38 caliber|.38 handgun]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spinner.com/2008/02/22/twisted-tales-al-green-finds-salvation-served-scalding-hot/|title=Twisted Tales: Al Green Finds Salvation, Served Scalding Hot |last= Sullivan| first= James |date=February 22, 2008|website=Spinner.com|access-date=August 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721102507/http://www.spinner.com/2008/02/22/twisted-tales-al-green-finds-salvation-served-scalding-hot/|archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref> Police found an apparent [[suicide note]] inside Woodson's purse that declared her intentions and her reasons.<ref>{{cite book|title=Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green|last=McDonough|first=Jimmy|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2017|isbn=9780306822674|pages=172–189}}</ref> A few days prior, Green had sent Woodson to convalesce at the home of his friend after she had taken a handful of sleeping pills and slit her wrists.<ref name=":2" /> Green cited this incident as a wake-up call to change his life.<ref name="brunner" />

Days after Green was released from [[Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis|Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis]], where he was treated for his burns, he was reportedly held hostage at gunpoint by his cousin, who claimed he owed her money.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 5, 1974|title=Gun-Wielding Cousin Of Al Green Demands Money|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlsDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+grits+jet&pg=PA13|magazine=Jet|volume=47|issue=11|pages=13}}</ref> Green refused to press charges.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine|date=December 26, 1974|title=Al Green Sued For $100,000 By His Former Secretary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qbIDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+linda++jet&pg=PA56|magazine=Jet}}</ref>

In 1976, Green established the Full Gospel Tabernacle church in Memphis.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="tripadvisor.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g55197-d269914-r17090230-Full_Gospel_Tabernacle-Memphis_Tennessee.html/|website=TripAdvisor.com|title=Full Gospel Tabernacle Church – Memphis, TN}}</ref> Green resides in Millington, and preaches near [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theboombox.com/al-green-hot-grits-scalded/|title=Pure Agony: Al Green Scalded by Hot Grits 40 Years Ago|last=Mastropolo|first=Frank|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref> He is a member of the [[Prince Hall Masons]], the African-American wing of Freemasonry, at the Thirty-Third Degree.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green|last=McDonough|first=Jimmy|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2017|isbn=9780306822674|pages=225}}</ref>

In September 2013, Green's sister Maxine Green was reported missing from her assisted living home in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]. According to her daughter Lasha, Green has not reached out to the family about his sister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox17online.com/2015/02/21/soul-singer-al-greens-sister-missing-18-months-family-let-the-public-know-your-sister-is-missing/|title=Soul singer Al Green's sister missing 18 months, family: "Let the public know your sister is missing"|date=February 21, 2015|website=fox17online.com}}</ref> As of March 2023, she is still missing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1ryBL-475k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/d1ryBL-475k| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Michigan Family Still Waiting for Answers 6 Years of Disappearance of Al Green's Sister|website=FOX 17 WXMI|date=November 27, 2019 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Marriages and children ===
On June 15, 1977, Green married his first wife Shirley Green (née Kyles) in Memphis. Originally from Chicago, she was one of his [[backing vocalist]]s and an employee at his church.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|date=March 28, 1983|title=Al Green Pays Ex-Wife $432,000 In Alimony|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TkEDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+married+1977&pg=PA15|magazine=Jet|volume=64|issue=2|pages=15}}</ref> Together they have three daughters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|date=August 6, 1981|title=Al Green Now The Proud Father Of Three Girls|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MkIDAAAAMBAJ&q=shirley+green+jet&pg=PA31|magazine=Jet|volume=60|issue=21|pages=31}}</ref> Shirley first filed for divorce in 1978 on the ground of cruelty and irreconcilable differences.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 25, 1978|title=Al Green's Wife Seeks Divorce, Charging Cruelty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VEIDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green|magazine=Jet|volume=54|issue=10|pages=61}}</ref> She filed again in 1981, charging that Green had subjected her to [[domestic violence]] throughout their marriage.<ref name="chicagotribune" /> Green accused her of cruel and inhuman treatment in a countercomplaint. In a sworn [[Deposition (law)|deposition]] in 1982 as part of her divorce filing, Shirley testified that in 1978 while she was five months pregnant, Green beat her with a boot for refusing to have sex.<ref name="chicagotribune" /> She claimed that the assault resulted in head wounds, one of which required stitches. After the incident she filed for divorce, but they reconciled.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 10, 1979|title=Al Green, Wife Together Again After Splitting Over 'Misunderstanding'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G8ADAAAAMBAJ&q=shirley+green+jet&pg=PA16|magazine=Jet|volume=56|issue=8|pages=16}}</ref> According to Shirley, they separated several times when the beatings became "too frequent and too severe".<ref name="chicagotribune" /> Initially, Green denied beating his wife, but under oath in 1982 he admitted to striking her. Their divorce was finalized in February 1983.<ref name="chicagotribune" /> Green agreed to pay her $432,800 in [[alimony]] and [[child support]].<ref name=":0" /> In 1995, the story of [[Nicole Brown Simpson]] inspired Shirley to go public with the abuse she endured in order to help other victims.<ref name="chicagotribune" />

Green has seven children: sons Chris Burse Sr., Al Green Jr., and Trevor and daughters Alva Lei Green, Rubi Renee Green, Kora Kishé Green, and Kala.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite book|title=Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green|last=McDonough|first=Jimmy|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2017|isbn=9780306822674}}</ref> Alva, Rubi, and Kora were born to Green and his ex-wife Shirley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Anita |date=2016-04-13 |title=Celebrating Seniors – Al Green Turns 70 {{!}} 50+ World - 50+ World |url=https://50plusworld.com/celebrating-seniors-al-green-turns-70/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Green was reportedly remarried by the 1990s.<ref name=":2" />

=== Assault charges ===
Green's former secretary, Linda Wills, filed a $25,000 civil suit against him in 1974. Wills alleged that Green beat her and shoved her through a glass door in his Memphis office after a dispute about how much back pay she was entitled to for her duties.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=August 15, 1974|title=Singer Al Green Charged In $25,000 Civil Suit|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1coDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+grits+jet&pg=PA54|magazine=Jet|pages=54}}</ref> The civil suit was dropped because of "conflicting testimony", but in 1975, they settled a $100,000 lawsuit for [[assault]] and [[Battery (crime)|battery]] charges.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=August 7, 1975|title=Al Green, Ex-Secretary Settle $100,00 Suit|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gLEDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+linda++jet&pg=PA44|magazine=Jet|volume=48|issue=20|pages=44}}</ref>

In 1977, Green and his former organ player Larry Robinson were arrested for assault on [[Memorial Day]] in [[Irving, Texas]]. According to Robinson, Green and his bodyguards jumped him when he confronted Green about owed money from previous gigs. They both posted bond on a [[misdemeanor]] charge.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 23, 1977|title=Al Green Arrested For Assault In Irving, Tex.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z78DAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+assault&pg=PA61|magazine=Jet|volume=57|issue=14|pages=61}}</ref>

In 1978, Green was charged with assault and battery for allegedly beating a woman unconscious with a tree limb. The charges were dismissed after the woman, who had moved, did not receive a [[subpoena]] and therefore missed the court date.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=September 6, 1979|title=Al Green Cleared of Memphis Battery Charges|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkIDAAAAMBAJ&q=al+green+lovie+smith&pg=PA64|magazine=Jet|volume= 56| issue =  25|pages=64}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Al Green discography}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=60em|
;Studio albums
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''[[Back Up Train]]'' (1967)
*''[[Green Is Blues]]'' (1969)
*''[[Al Green Gets Next to You]]'' (1971)
*''[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green album)|Let's Stay Together]]'' (1972)
*''[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green album)|I'm Still in Love with You]]'' (1972)
*''[[Call Me (Al Green album)|Call Me]]'' (1973)
*''[[Livin' for You]]'' (1973)
*''[[Al Green Explores Your Mind]]'' (1974)
*''[[Al Green Is Love]]'' (1975)
*''[[Full of Fire]]'' (1976)
*''[[Have a Good Time (Al Green album)|Have a Good Time]]'' (1976)
*''[[The Belle Album]]'' (1977)
*''[[Truth n' Time]]'' (1978)
*''[[The Lord Will Make a Way]]'' (1980)
*''[[Higher Plane (album)|Higher Plane]]'' (1981)
*''[[Precious Lord]]'' (1982)
*''[[I'll Rise Again]]'' (1983)
*''[[White Christmas (Al Green album)|White Christmas]]'' (1983)
*''[[Trust in God]]'' (1984)
*''[[He Is the Light]]'' (1985)
*''[[Soul Survivor (Al Green album)|Soul Survivor]]'' (1987)
*''[[I Get Joy]]'' (1989)
*''[[Love Is Reality]]'' (1992)
*''Don't Look Back'' (1993)
*''[[Your Heart's in Good Hands]]'' (1995)
*''Feels Like Christmas'' (2001)
*''[[I Can't Stop (album)|I Can't Stop]]'' (2003)
*''[[Everything's OK (album)|Everything's OK]]'' (2005)
*''[[Lay It Down (Al Green album)|Lay It Down]]'' (2008)
{{div col end}}
}}

==Awards and honors==
Green has been nominated for 21 [[Grammy Award]]s, winning 11, including the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]].<ref name=":8" /> Two of his songs, "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" and "[[Take Me to the River|Take Me To the River]]" have been inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/hall-of-fame|title=Grammy Hall of Fame|website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref>

Green was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1995. In 2004, he was inducted into the [[Gospel Music Association]]'s [[Gospel Music Hall of Fame]].  That same year, he was inducted into [[The Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C331 |title=Al Green Exhibit Home |publisher=Songwriters Hall of Fame |access-date=April 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208104750/http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C331 |archive-date=February 8, 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Also in 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine ranked him No.&nbsp;65 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref name="justin">{{Cite web |last=Justin Timberlake |author-link=Justin Timberlake |title=The Immortals – The Greatest Artists of All Time: 65) Al Green |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7248227/the_immortals__the_greatest_artists_of_all_time_65_al_green |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220011031/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7248227/the_immortals__the_greatest_artists_of_all_time_65_al_green |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |website=Rolling Stone Issue 946 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 [[BET Awards]] on June 24, 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = Al Green to scoop lifetime gong| work = BBC News| publisher = BBC| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7404146.stm | date=May 16, 2008 | access-date=January 1, 2010}}</ref>

On August 26, 2004, Green was honored as a [[Broadcast Music Incorporated|BMI]] Icon at the annual BMI Urban Awards. He joined a list of previous Icon honorees that included R&B legends [[James Brown]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Little Richard]] and [[Bo Diddley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234163 |title=BMI Celebrates Urban Music at 2004 Awards with Top Writers, Producers, Publishers|website=Bmi.com|date=August 26, 2004|access-date=October 13, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920034642/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234163| archive-date= September 20, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Green was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/mrrl-hall-of-fame/102-al-green|title=Michigan Rock and Roll Legends – Al Green|website=Michiganrockandrolllegends.com}}</ref> He was recognized on December 7, 2014, as a [[Kennedy Center Honors]] recipient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/tom-hanks-lily-tomlin-sting-to-receive-kennedy-center-honors-1201297630|title=Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin, Sting to Receive Kennedy Center Honors|website=Variety.com|first=Paul|last=Harris|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Album era]]
*[[List of best-selling music artists]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/green-76.php|title=The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll|year=1976|chapter=Al Green|author=Christgau, Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|display-authors=etal}}
* {{cite book|last1=Green|first1=Al|last2=Seay|first2=Davin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M7f4PgAACAAJ&q=Take+Me+to+the+River|title=Take Me to the River: An Autobiography|publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-1556528101}} 
* {{cite book|last=McDonough|first=Jimmy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JhqrDQAAQBAJ&q=Soul+Survivor|author-link=Jimmy McDonough|title=Soul Survivor: A Biography of Al Green|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2017|isbn=978-0306822674}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Al Green}}
* {{Official website|https://www.al-green.com/}}
* {{AllMusic|artist/al-green-mn0000607448}}
* {{IMDb name|337585|Al Green}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Rockhall}}

{{Al Green}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Al Green
|list =
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Kennedy Center Honorees 2010s}}
{{1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

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