True to his pioneering soul group's name, Curtis Mayfield sure left one hell of an impression. On Tuesday, Feb. 22, some of his most famous disciples -- including Lauryn Hill, Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder -- will pay tribute to the recently deceased two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer by each performing one of his songs at Los Angeles' First African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mayfield's former bandmates the Impressions, who scored inspirational hits in the Sixties with Mayfield compositions like "People Get Ready" and "Keep on Pushing," will also take the stage for the invite-only affair. "We're gonna do two or three songs," said Impression Fred Cash, from his Tennessee home. "I think when we do [the Impressions song] 'Amen,' all of the others are gonna come up and do it with us, as a finale."
The Temptations are also scheduled to perform; and, according to Cash, Whitney Houston might be a late addition to the celebration.
Mayfield died Dec. 26, 1999 after years of bad health.
"This is gonna be something nice," Cash enthused. "If Curtis is looking down, he'll smile on this."
BILL CRANDALL
(February 17, 2000)
