Al Green (birth name Albert Greene) was born April 13, 1946. A soul and American gospel singer, his popularity peaked in the 1970s, with his hit singles "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still in Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together". Rolling Stone magazine gave him the number 65 spot in their "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2005. The nomination was written by Justin Timberlake, who said "people are born to do certain things, and Al was born to make us smile". Al Green was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, being referred to as "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". He sold more than 20 million records, including the studio albums "Green is Blues", "Al Green Get Next to You", "I'm Still in Love with You", "Call Me", "Living for You" and "Lay It Down".

Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas to Robert and Cora Greene. He began performing at ten years of age with the Greene Brothers. Eventually dropping the letter 'E' from his name, he began his career as a solo artist. The Greene Brothers toured throughout the South during the mid-1950s, until moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Green was kicked out of the band by his father for listening to Jackie Wilson.

In high school, Green started the band Al Green and the Creations. Two of the members started an independant label called Hot Line Music Journal. In 1967 the band released "Back Up Train" on the label, under the name Al Green and the Soul Mates.. The song became an R&B hit. Their following singles did not sell as well, however, and the album became the only one to be released by Hot Line.

"Green is Blues" was Green's debut album with HI Records, and was a slow album driven by horns, showing off Green's powerfully expressive voice. The album was arranged, engineered and produced by Willie Mitchell. The album only saw moderate success however. Green released his follow up album "Al Green Next to You" in 1970 featured a hit remake of the classic "I Can't Get Next You" by the Temptations.

Al Green's career saw the release of many singles, including "You Say It", "Let's Stay Together", "Look What You Done for Me", "Sha-La-La-La (Make Me Happy)", "Put a Little Love in Your Heart", and "Wait Here".