Eddie Hinton
June 15, 1944 - July 28, 1995
2018 Inductee

Eddie Hinton was never in the spotlight of stardom but an unsung hero, one of the backroom men who played or wrote the hits for many of the soul legends of the late 60’s and 70’s. He gained the respect of critics, producers and fellow artists. As a producer, writer, guitarist and composer Eddie Hinton made his mark on countless sessions recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound, Fame and Quinvy studios.

As a session guitarist, Hinton played on hit records recorded by Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley, Aretha Franklin, Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, The Staple Singers, The Dells, Johnny Taylor, Elvis Presley, The Box Tops, R.B. Greaves, Boz Scaggs, and Otis Redding. He toured as guitarist for R&B greats, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge and Ted Taylor.

His song writing partnership with Marlin Greene and Donnie Fritts yielded such gems as ‘Cover Me’ for Percy Sledge, and ‘Breakfast In Bed’. The latter, originally recorded by Dusty Springfield became a huge international hit for UB40 and Chrissie Hynde.

But, above all else Eddie Hinton was a singer. In 1978 Capricorn Records’ 'Very Extremely Dangerous' became his first solo album release. The eclectic 'Letters From Mississippi' album originally released in 1986 was remastered and packaged by Zane records and released in England in 1990. In the early 90's Rounder records issued, 'Cry And Moan' and ‘Very Blue Highway'.

Eddie continued to write and had moved back home to Birmingham. On July 28, 1995 he suffered a fatal heart attack. Since his death, Zane records released two more CDs of Eddie’s recordings, ‘Hard Luck Guy’ and ‘Dear Y’all’.