Imagine being the mastermind behind some of the most iconic songs in music history – Sam & Dave‘s Soul Man and Hold On, I’m Comin’, Carla Thomas‘ B-A-B-Y, and Mable John‘s Your Good Thing (Is About to End). That’s the legacy of David Porter, a man who has seen it all and is now sharing his story in his new memoir, The Soul Man: Life of Songwriter David Porter.
Recently, David Porter took the stage at Evergreen Studios in Burbank, California, for an intimate Q&A session with Jimmy Jam, where he delved into his remarkable journey, from his early days singing in church to his time at the legendary Stax Records. The audience was filled with music legends like Stevie Wonder and Peter Asher, all there to celebrate Porter‘s incredible career.
David Porter spoke about growing up in Memphis, the city that would become the heartbeat of his music, and where he met lifelong friends like Maurice White and Booker T. Jones. He reminisced about his start as a songwriter at Stax Records, working alongside geniuses like Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, and Otis Redding. His songs have been sampled by the likes of Mariah Carey, Notorious B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan, a testament to the timeless appeal of his work.
One of the most compelling stories Porter shared was about the creation of Stax‘s signature sound – a unique blend of spirituality and emotional connectivity that set them apart from other labels like Motown. As he recalled, they couldn’t compete with the likes of Holland-Dozier-Holland or Burt Bacharach & Hal David, but they found their own path by tapping into the soul of the church and the city, creating music that was raw, honest, and deeply personal.
With his memoir, The Soul Man: Life of Songwriter David Porter, David Porter invites us into his world, a world of music, passion, and legacy. It’s a story that reminds us of the power of staying true to ourselves and our art, and the impact that can have on the world.
