Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson (born July 7, 1951)[1] is an American bass guitarist and vocalist. He is known for his work with Miles Davis in the early 1970s and on early fusion albums such as Jack Johnson,[2] Live-Evil, and Agharta,[3] along with a series of his own R&B/soul hits and others featuring him on vocals, particularly the Norman Connors-produced hit "You Are My Starship" in 1976 and other songs in the mid to late-1970s.[4]

For other people named Michael Henderson, see Michael Henderson (disambiguation).

Michael Henderson
Henderson singing at Sunset Junction Festival in Los Angeles
Background information
Born (1951-07-07) July 7, 1951
Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S.
GenresR&B, jazz, funk, soul, pop
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsVocals, bass
Years active1970–present
LabelsBuddah Records, Arista, EMI-Capitol
Associated actsMiles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Ray Parker Jr., Jean Carn, Norman Connors

Biography

Henderson was born on July 7, 1951[5] in Yazoo City, Mississippi. In the early 1960s he moved to Detroit, playing as a session musician.[6]

He was one of the first notable bass guitarists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Davis, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, among many others.[6]

Before working with Davis, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal Theater in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana in New York City in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm taking your fucking bassist."[7] After almost seven years with Davis, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced many hit songs and albums for Buddah Records until his retirement in 1986.[6] Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered. He is also known for his ballad vocalizing on several Norman Connors hit recordings, including "You Are My Starship" and "Valentine Love", performed with Jean Carn.[6]

Henderson performing in 1971 with Miles Davis

Solo discography

Studio albums
Year Album Label Peak chart positions
US
[8]		 US R&B
[9]
1976 Solid Buddah Records 173 10
1977 Goin' Places 49 18
1978 In the Night Time 38 5
1979 Do It All 64 17
1980 Wide Receiver 35 6
1981 Slingshot 86 14
1983 Fickle 169 41
1986 Bedtime Stories EMI America — 30
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
US Dance
[10]		 US R&B
[11]		 US Pop
[12]
1976 "Time" — — ―
"Be My Girl" — 23 101
1977 "Won't You Be Mine" — 82 —
"I Can't Help It" ― 27 103
"You Haven't Made It to the Top" — 80 —
1978 "Take Me I'm Yours" — 3 88
"In the Night-Time" — 15 ―
1979 "To Be Loved" ― 62 ―
"Do It All" ― 56 ―
1980 "Reach Out for Me" ― 78 ―
"Prove It" ― 27 ―
"Wide Receiver" 42 4 ―
"You're My Choice" ― ― ―
1981 "Make It Easy on Yourself" ― 68 ―
"(We Are Here to) Geek You Up" ― 51 ―
1983 "Thin Walls" ― ― ―
"Fickle" ― 33 ―
1986 "Tin Soldier" ― 86 ―
"Do It to Me Good (Tonight)" ― 17 ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Collaborations

With Miles Davis

With Stevie Wonder

With The Dramatics

References
  1. McCall, Michael (1997). Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; et al. (eds.). "Michael Henderson". All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music. AMG All Music Guides. Hal Leonard Corporation: 88, 208. ISBN 978-0-87930-475-1. 0879304758.
  2. Cole, George (2007). The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980–1991. University of Michigan Press. p. 268. ISBN 978-0-472-03260-0.
  3. Freeman, Philip (2005). Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis. Hal Leonard. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-61774-521-8.
  4. "Michael Henderson: He's now captain of his own starship". Ebony. Vol. 36, no. 3. Johnson Publishing Company. January 1981. p. 68. ISSN 0012-9011.
  5. "Happy birthday to Michael Henderson". Soul Tracks. December 27, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  6. Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  7. Jung, Fred (December 15, 2003). "A Fireside Chat With Michael Henderson". Allthatjazz.com. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  8. "Chart History – Michael Henderson: BILLBOARD 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  9. "Chart History – Michael Henderson: TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  10. "Chart History – Michael Henderson: DANCE CLUB SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  11. "Chart History – Michael Henderson: HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  12. "Michael Henderson Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
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