Arthur Lee Conley (January 4, 1946 – November 17, 2003) was an American sou… Read Full Bio ↴Arthur Lee Conley (January 4, 1946 – November 17, 2003) was an American soul singer. He is best known for the 1967 hit Sweet Soul Music which shot to the number two spot on both the pop and R&B charts in America, earning Conley the number eleven male artist ranking for 1967. The song pays homage to great soul singers like Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett and James Brown.
Conley was born in McIntosh County, Georgia and grew up in Atlanta. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group he released three singles from 1963 through 1964 (Poor Girl, I Believe, and Flossie Mae) on the Atlanta-based label National Recording Company.
In 1964 he moved to a new label (Ru-Jac Records) and released I'm a Lonely Stranger. When Otis Redding heard it he asked Conley to record a new version, which became the second release on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records.
Conley met Otis Redding in 1967. After this meeting Redding took Conley under his care and taught him the fine points of the music business. Together they rewrote the Sam Cooke song Yeah Man into Sweet Soul Music, which at Redding's insistence was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It proved a massive hit and went to the number two position on the U.S. charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe. It is said that Conley never accepted Otis Redding's death of December 1967.
After several years of lackluster singles in the early 1970s he relocated to England in 1975 and then spent several years in Belgium before settling in the Dutch village of Ruurlo and the cultural centre of Ganzenhoef (an extension southeast of Amsterdam) in 1980. He legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). He occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company and was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980 featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters was released as an album titled Soulin' in 1988.
He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands at age 57.
Conley was born in McIntosh County, Georgia and grew up in Atlanta. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group he released three singles from 1963 through 1964 (Poor Girl, I Believe, and Flossie Mae) on the Atlanta-based label National Recording Company.
In 1964 he moved to a new label (Ru-Jac Records) and released I'm a Lonely Stranger. When Otis Redding heard it he asked Conley to record a new version, which became the second release on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records.
Conley met Otis Redding in 1967. After this meeting Redding took Conley under his care and taught him the fine points of the music business. Together they rewrote the Sam Cooke song Yeah Man into Sweet Soul Music, which at Redding's insistence was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It proved a massive hit and went to the number two position on the U.S. charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe. It is said that Conley never accepted Otis Redding's death of December 1967.
After several years of lackluster singles in the early 1970s he relocated to England in 1975 and then spent several years in Belgium before settling in the Dutch village of Ruurlo and the cultural centre of Ganzenhoef (an extension southeast of Amsterdam) in 1980. He legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). He occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company and was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980 featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters was released as an album titled Soulin' in 1988.
He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands at age 57.
I'm A Lonely Stranger
Arthur Conley Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Arthur Conley:
01. Sweet Soul Music Do you like good music That sweet soul music Just as long…
Aunt Dora's Love Soul Shack Hardwood floors is a-breaking The mini dresses really shakin…
Funky Street One used to be the shotgun Two used to be the…
Let Nothing Separate Us I'll let nothing separate us I'll let nothing, no, no, separ…
Ob La Di Ob La Da Desmond has a barrow In the marketplace Molly is the singer …
Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da Desmond has a barrow In the marketplace Molly is the singe…
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Single Version) Desmond has a barrow In the marketplace Molly is the singer …
People Sure Act Funny People sure act funny When the get a little money Yes, the…
Shake Rattle Get out from that kitchen And rattle those pots and pans Get…
Shake Rattle And Roll Get out from that kitchen And rattle those pots and pans Get…
Something You Got Something you got, baby Makes me work all day Something you …
Stuff You Gotta Watch Stuff you gotta watch Na na na na na baby Stuff you…
sweet soul m Do you like good music That sweet soul music Just as long…
Sweet Soul Music Do you like good music That sweet soul music Just as long…
Sweet Soul Music (Remastered Single/LP Version) Sweet Soul Music Arthur Conley Do you like good music That …
Take Me Some folks think I'm a millionaire But they don't really kn…
Whole Lotta Woman I got a rocking chair that rock I got a rubber…
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@ladymakini
Arthur Conley so put his foot in this classic that Ive searched high and low for 5yr. THANK YOU, everlasting from the bottom of my heart.
@robertdavis1217
I woke up this morning singing this song, used to play the hell out of it back
in the day,
@miclehuys7963
Goosebumps thats what i felt when i entered a a desolated music cafe in Amsterdam high summer begin seventies, and i heard this man singing and screaming out his emotions on a empty stage without any musical backing. I was the only visitor. 2 or 3 men drinking at the bar not interested what happened on stage.
I was so shocked and felt so uncomfortable with the situation - a singer crying out his heart and me alone there-- that i left he cafe.
Still heard him singing inside when i walked out along the canal.
Found out later that this was Arthur Conley singing there. I wondered all my life why i was such coward to walk away before he finished his song and did not wait to give him an applause.
@DateTwoRelate
Quite a difference from the ONE song of his that WHITE RADIO has played to death over the last 60 years.
@elizabethchase8725
This song bring back so many memories. This is when music was music and appreciated.