Aaron Neville | |
|---|---|
 Neville in 1999 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Aaron Joseph Neville (1941-01-24)January 24, 1941 (age 84) |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | aaronneville |
Aaron Joseph Neville (born January 24, 1941)[1] is an American singer renowned for his distinctively smooth, vibrato-heavytenor and a genre-crossing career that spans R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, country, and pop. He gained national prominence with his 1966 single "Tell It Like It Is", which reached number two on theBillboard Hot 100 and was later inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame.
As a solo artist, Neville achieved three consecutiveRIAA platinum-selling albums in the 1990s and topped the Billboard Jazz chart withNature Boy: The Standards Album. He has earned fourGrammy Awards, four Top 10 Gospel albums, and a Grammy nomination forBest Male Country Vocal Performance for his 1993 cover of "The Grand Tour". His duets withLinda Ronstadt, including "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life", both topped theAdult Contemporary chart and won Grammy Awards. He has also performed theUnited States national anthem at theSuper Bowl on two occasions, including a2006 rendition alongsideAretha Franklin andDr. John.
In addition to his solo work, he is a founding member ofthe Neville Brothers, alongside his brothersArt,Charles, andCyril. Neville contributed to notable compilations such asRhythm, Country and Blues (withTrisha Yearwood) andThe Bodyguard soundtrack. In 2023, he won his fourthGrammy Award for Best American Roots Performance for "Stompin' Ground", a collaboration with theDirty Dozen Brass Band, underscoring his enduring influence across multiple musical genres. That same year, he was named one ofRolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
The first of Neville's singles that was given airplay outside of New Orleans was "Over You", released in 1960. His first hit single was "Tell It Like It Is", released by local musician/arranger George Davis, a friend from school, and band-leader Lee Diamond. The song toppedBillboard's R&B chart for five weeks in 1967 and also reached No. 2 on theBillboard Hot 100 (behind "I'm a Believer" bythe Monkees). It sold over one million copies, and was awarded agold disc.[2]
Neville released his first solo album since the late 1960s in 1986 with the independent releaseOrchid in The Storm. In 1989, Neville teamed up withLinda Ronstadt on the albumCry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind which included four duets by the pair. Amongst them were the No. 1Grammy-winning hits "Don't Know Much" and "All My Life". "Don't Know Much" reached No. 2 on the Hot 100, and was certifiedGold for selling a million copies, while the album was certified Triple Platinum for US sales of more than three million.[3]
Following the success ofCry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind, Ronstadt produced his 1991 albumWarm Your Heart[4] including the hit single "Everybody Plays the Fool", a cover of the 1972Main Ingredient song, which reached No. 8 on theBillboard Hot 100[5] and another duet with Ronstadt "Close Your Eyes".Warm Your Heart was certified platinum in 1997 for more than a million sales in the U.S.[6]
During 1993 and 1994, Neville expanded his repertoire as a recording artist and ventured into makingcountry music. In 1993, Neville released the platinum-sellingThe Grand Tour onA&M Records with lead single "Don't Take Away My Heaven" reaching No. 4 on theAdult Contemporary chart (where previous hits "Don't Know Much", "All My Life", and "Everybody Plays the Fool" all reached number one). The follow-up single "The Grand Tour", a cover of country music legendGeorge Jones' 1974 hit, peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard country singles chart,[7] and was highly acclaimed by fans and critics, resulting in a nomination for theGrammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the36th Annual Grammy Awards in 1994.[8] He followed the album up with another platinum sellerAaron Neville's Soulful Christmas.
Neville's next country music project involved appearing on 1994'sRhythm, Country and Blues, an album of duets featuring R&B and Country artists performing renditions of classic country and R&B songs. Neville recorded a version of "I Fall to Pieces", a major crossover hit forPatsy Cline originally released in 1961, withTrisha Yearwood that resulted in Neville and Yearwood winning theGrammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the37th Annual Grammy Awards.[9] As a result, Neville became one of the only African American recording artists to win a Grammy within the Country genre.In April 1994, Neville appeared onSesame Street to sing the song "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" as a duet withErnie.
Neville's 1995 release,The Tattooed Heart, featuring covers of classics byBill Withers andKris Kristofferson went gold, while 1997's pop-oriented...To Make Me Who I Am included songwriting contributions from contemporary hitmakersBabyface andDiane Warren as well as two new duets with Ronstadt, including a cover of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". This was followed by a 2000 gospel albumDevotion which topped the US gospel album chart, and his 2003 debut for Verve Records entitledNature Boy: The Standards Album which topped the US jazz album chart. The album saw Neville covering selections from theGreat American Songbook, including another Ronstadt duet "The Very Thought of You".
In August 2005, Neville's home inEastern New Orleans was destroyed byHurricane Katrina; he evacuated toMemphis, before the hurricane hit. He went to Austin to visit his friend Clifford Antone, then moved toNashville. He performedRandy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" onNBC'sA Concert for Hurricane Relief on September 2, 2005, and "A Change is Gonna Come" at the New York benefit concertFrom the Big Apple to the Big Easy.[10] When he didn't return to the city by early 2008, theNew Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival temporarily changed its tradition of having the Neville Brothers close the festival. However, the band, including Aaron, returned for the 2008 Jazzfest, which returned to its traditional seven-day format for the first time since Katrina.[10] He then moved back to New Orleans area, to the nearby city ofCovington.[10]
Neville signed toSonyBMG's newBurgundy Records label in late 2005 and recorded an album of songs byOtis Redding,Marvin Gaye,Curtis Mayfield,Sam Cooke and others forBring It On Home...The Soul Classics, released on September 19, 2006. The album, produced byStewart Levine, features collaborations between Neville andChaka Khan,Mavis Staples,Chris Botti,David Sanborn,Art Neville, and others. The album's first single was a remake ofThe Impressions' 1963 classic "It's All Right".
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Neville's career has included work for television, movies and sporting events. Neville sang the United States national anthem in the movieThe Fan starringRobert De Niro andWesley Snipes. He also sang the anthem at theWWF'sSummerSlam 1993 and atWCW'sSpring Stampede 1994. Neville has twice performed the anthem at the Super Bowl. His first appearance was atSuper Bowl XXIV in 1990 in New Orleans. He returned to the event atSuper Bowl XL in 2006, performing alongsideAretha Franklin andDr. John on keyboards, in a performance that was widely praised and served as a tribute to New Orleans in the wake ofHurricane Katrina.[11]
Neville sang the theme music to the children's TV seriesFisher-PriceLittle People and the songs for the sixth volume, "Discovering Seasons." He also sang a new version of "Cotton", forCotton Incorporated which was introduced during the1992 Summer Olympics. In 1988 he recorded "Mickey Mouse March" forStay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films, one of Various Artists. Neville (along with brothersArt andCyril) did background vocals for the songs "Great Heart", "Bring Back the Magic", "Homemade Music", "My Barracuda", and "Smart Woman (in a Real Short Skirt)" onJimmy Buffett'sHot Water, released in 1988.
Neville was interviewed on screen and appeared in performance footage with his brothers in the 2005 documentary filmMake It Funky!, which presents a history ofNew Orleans music and its influence onrhythm and blues,rock and roll,funk andjazz.[12] The Nevilles perform "Fire on the Bayou" in the film.[13] On October 27, 2006, Neville made a guest appearance on an episode of the soap operaThe Young and the Restless.[14] He sang "Stand by Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine", from his album,Bring It On Home ... The Soul Classics.
In 2008 he releasedGold, which includes adouble album of his hits.He also released an album of traditional carols calledChristmas & Hits Duos.[15] The songChristmas Prayer was featured on theER episodeThe High Holiday.
In 2009, Neville, along with the Mt. Zion Mass Choir, released a version of the song "A Change Is Gonna Come" on the compilation albumOh Happy Day.[16] In 2010, Neville and his brotherArt performed withThe Meters.[17]
Neville was the featured artist for the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Memphis Centennial Concert September 30, 2011, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.[18] That year, Neville toured New Zealand withThe Blind Boys of Alabama andMavis Staples.[19]
In January 2013, paying tribute to the songs of his youth, Blue Note Records released Neville'sMy True Story, a collection of 12 doo-wop tunes, produced byDon Was andKeith Richards, with backing by musicians such as Benmont Tench fromTom Petty and the Heartbreakers.[20] In March 2015, he was named the year's recipient of theLaetare Medal. In October 2015, Keith Richards selected the song "My True Story" as one of hisDesert Island Discs.[21]
In May 2021, the 80-year old Neville announced his retirement from touring, but said he may still record albums or perform occasionally for special events or festivals.[22]
In 2023,Rolling Stone ranked Neville at number 104 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[23]
Neville is from New Orleans, Louisiana. He has mixed African-American, white, andChoctaw heritage.[24] His uncle, George "Big Chief Jolly" Landry, was lead singer of theMardi Gras Indian groupthe Wild Tchoupitoulas.[25]
Neville got his facial tattoo (of a sword) when he was 16 years old. Speaking toBillboard in 2019, he recalled that "My dad made me scrub it withBrillo Pads and Octagon Soap. The skin came off, but the tattoo stayed. But some years later, I had an album out calledThe Tattooed Heart [in 1995], and we were doing a special thing in a tattoo parlor, so I let them go over it and outline it – freshen it up."[26]
Neville married Joel (pronounced Jo-EL) Roux Neville (1941–2007)[27] on January 10, 1959.[28] Together they had four children: Ernestine, Aaron "Fred" Jr., and musiciansIvan and Jason.[29][30] Neville is also the uncle of journalistArthel Neville.[31]
In 2008, during aPeople magazine photo shoot, Neville met photographer Sarah Ann Friedman. They were married in New York on November 13, 2010.[32]
Neville isCatholic, with adevotion toSt. Jude, to whom he has credited his success and survival. He wears a St. Jude Medal as a left earring.[33]
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Label | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B [34] | US Christ [34] | US Gospel [34] | US Jazz [34] | US [34] | AUS [35][36] | UK Jazz [37] | ||||
| 1966 | Tell It Like It Is | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Par Lo Records | |
| 1967 | Like It 'Tis | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Minit | |
| 1986 | Orchid in the Storm | — | — | — | — | — | 140 | — | Passport; Rhino; Hyena | |
| 1991 | Warm Your Heart | 62 | — | — | — | 44 | 51 | — | A&M | |
| 1993 | The Grand Tour | — | — | — | — | 37 | 154 | — |
| |
| 1993 | Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas | — | — | — | — | 36 | 176 | — |
| |
| 1995 | The Tattooed Heart | 50 | — | — | — | 64 | 150 | — |
| |
| 1997 | To Make Me Who I Am | 73 | — | — | — | 188 | — | — | ||
| 2000 | Devotion | — | 28 | 7 | — | — | — | — | Chordant | |
| 2002 | Humdinger | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | EMI | |
| 2003 | Believe | — | 14 | 2 | — | 191 | — | — | Telit | |
| Nature Boy: The Standards Album | 85 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | Verve | ||
| 2005 | Gospel Roots | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | Chordant | |
| Christmas Prayer | 74 | 14 | 3 | — | — | — | — | EMI Gospel | ||
| 2006 | Mojo Soul | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Music Avenue | |
| Bring It On Home... The Soul Classics | 20 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | Burgundy | ||
| 2010 | I Know I've Been Changed | 50 | 29 | 10 | — | — | — | — | EMI Gospel | |
| 2013 | My True Story | 7 | — | — | — | 45 | — | 15 | Blue Note | |
| 2016 | Apache | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Tell It Records | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [34] | US AC [34] | US R&B [34] | US Cou. [34] | CAN | CAN AC | AUS [35][36] | ||||
| 1960 | "Over You" | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | Non-album song | |
| 1966 | "Tell It Like It Is" | 2 | — | 1 | — | 96 | 2 | — | Tell It Like It Is | |
| 1967 | "She Took You for a Ride" | 92 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "Baby I'm-a Want You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album songs | |
| 1973 | "Hercules" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978 | "The Greatest Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "Everybody Plays the Fool" | 8 | 1 | — | — | 19 | — | 52 | Warm Your Heart | |
| "Somewhere Somebody" | — | 6 | — | — | 43 | 15 | — | |||
| 1992 | "Close Your Eyes"(withLinda Ronstadt) | — | 38 | — | — | 90 | — | — | ||
| 1993 | "Don't Take Away My Heaven" | 56 | 4 | — | — | 17 | 12 | 162 | The Grand Tour | |
| "The Grand Tour" | 90 | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | |||
| "Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight" | — | 26 | — | — | 37 | — | — | |||
| 1994 | "I Owe You One" | — | — | — | — | 51 | 29 | — | ||
| "I Fall to Pieces"(withTrisha Yearwood) | — | — | — | 72 | — | — | — | Rhythm, Country and Blues | ||
| "Even If My Heart Would Break"(withKenny G) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album | ||
| "Betcha by Golly, Wow" | — | — | — | — | 32 | — | — | The Grand Tour | ||
| 1995 | "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You (The Rain Song)" | 99 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | The Tattooed Heart | |
| "For the Good Times" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1996 | "Use Me" | — | — | 93 | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Crazy Love"(withRobbie Robertson) | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | Phenomenon: Music from the Motion Picture | ||
| 1997 | "Say What's in My Heart" | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | To Make Me Who I Am | |
| 2006 | "It's All Right"A | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | Bring It On Home... | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||
| Year | Title | Artist | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US AC | AUS [40] | CAN | CAN AC | UK [41] | |||||
| 1989 | "Don't Know Much" | Linda Ronstadt | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind | |
| 1990 | "All My Life" | 11 | 1 | — | 10 | 1 | 96 | |||
| "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby" | 78 | 5 | — | 29 | 10 | — | ||||
| 1996 | "That's What My Love Is For" | Anne Murray | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | Anne Murray | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "Don't Know Much" | |
| 1991 | "Everybody Plays The Fool" | |
| 1993 | "Don't Take Away My Heaven"[43] | Zack Snyder |
| "The Grand Tour"[44] | Jim Shea | |
| "Please Come Home for Christmas"[45] | Bronwen Hughes | |
| 1994 | "I Fall to Pieces"(w/Trisha Yearwood) | Charley Randazzo |
| 1995 | "Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You (The Rain Song)" | |
| "For the Good Times"[46] | Jim Shea | |
| "Use Me" | ||
| 2006 | "Stand By Me" |
