He began recording in 1970 with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox with the assistance of Bob Thiele Flying Dutchman Records, co-writer Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie (who later recorded "Delights of the Garden" with The Last Poets), Charlie Saunders, Eddie Knowles, Ron Carter and Bert Jones, all jazz musicians (see 1970 in music). The album included the aggressive diatribe against white-owned corporate media and middle-class America's ignorance of the problems of inner cities in songs such as Whitey On The Moon.
The 1971 Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken word feel of his first, though he didn't reach the charts until 1975 with "Johannesburg". His biggest hit was 1978's "The Bottle", produced by Heron and longtime partner Brian Jackson, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts (see 1978 in music).
In 2001, Gil Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment in New York State for possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious. He was released on parole in 2003. On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. Scott-Heron's sentence was to run until July 13, 2009. He was paroled on May 23, 2007. The reason given for the violation of his plea was that the clinic refused to supply Scott-Heron with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist is HIV positive.
After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOBs in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States.
He was arrested October 10, 2007, the day before a scheduled (but ultimately cancelled) second SOBs performance, on felony possession of cocaine charges. However, he has continued to make live appearances at various US venues during the course of 2008 and 2009, including further appearances at SOBs in New York. He has also stated in interviews that work is continuing on his new album, which will consist mainly of new versions of some of his classic songs plus some cover versions of other artists' work.
Having originally planned to publish The Last Holiday in 2003, before it was put on hold, Canongate Books now tentatively intend to issue it in January, 2011. The book was due to be previewed via a website set to be launched on April 1, 2009, but this did not appear.
Mark T. Watson, a student of Scott-Heron's work, dedicated a collection of poetry to Gil titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. The book was published in the UK in 2004 by Fore-Word Press Ltd. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Watson's book Black & Blue due for release in 2008 as part of the album Rhythms of the Diaspora by Malik & the OG's on the record label CPR Recordings.
Gil Scott-Heron released his new album I'm New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, 'I'm New Here' is Scott-Heron's first album in thirteen years.The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the last twelve months with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, www.gilscottheron.net , was launched with a brand new track 'Where Did The Night Go' made available as a free download from the site.
In 2011, Scott-Heron released "We're New Here" a remix album which was a collaboration with Jamie xx, a member of the British indie band The xx. Scott-Heron died in New York City on May 27, 2011.
Hello Sunday! Hello Road!
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tom and Keg Leg got the map
The Steelers on my color tv
Henry riding in my lap
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Lord what would my grandma say
To see me out here loving music
So much that I live this way
Watching every place I go
Oh did you tell me it was my move
I guess it is
Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Manager we had just couldn't manage
So Midnight managed right alone
And it's got me out here with my brothers
And that's the thing that keeps me strong
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Seems like we're coming up on a town
Children on their way to Sunday school
And I'm tippin' my hat to Miss Chocolate Brown
And it was on a Sunday that I met my old man
I was twenty-six years old
Naw but it was much too late to speculate
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Hello Sunday, Hello Road
And I've been digging life through my window
And that's the way it's always been
Snow in Nashville, rain in Philly
No matter, get back on the bus again
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Let me try the optimistic side
'Cause me and Stick done seen a lot of babies
Dancing to "The Bottle" while we ride
It's sure nuff good being with the brothers
Carrying good news wherever we go
Hey let me get myself together man
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
The lyrics of "Hello Sunday! Hello Road!" convey the story of Gil Scott-Heron's life on the road, as he travels with his bandmates, navigating through different towns and cities, and encountering various people and experiences along the way. The opening lines of the song suggest that Scott-Heron is being guided by someone else, possibly an agent or a tour manager. He refers to his bandmates Tom and Keg Leg, who have the maps that will lead them to their next destination. The mention of the Steelers on his color TV provides a sense of comfort and familiarity for the artist, who is away from home yet still finds a way to connect with his favorite sports team.
The chorus "Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road" emphasizes the repetitive nature of life on tour, where every day may seem like a blur, yet there are certain constants such as Sunday, which provides a sense of regularity amidst the chaos of being on the road. Scott-Heron also wonders what his grandmother would think of him living his life pursuing music, indicating that there may be some hesitation or concern from his family about his chosen profession. However, he also acknowledges that his grandmother is with him in spirit and is watching over him as he navigates through life.
The second verse shifts focus to Scott-Heron's manager, who he implies was not able to handle the demands of managing a touring band. He mentions Midnight, who may be a reference to his bandmate Midnight Moe, as the person who is now managing the group. Despite the challenges of being on the road, Scott-Heron finds strength in the brotherhood he shares with his bandmates, and this connection keeps him going. The reference to tippin' his hat to Miss Chocolate Brown suggests a flirtatious encounter with a woman in a southern town, highlighting the experiences of African Americans traveling through different parts of the country during a time of racial tension.
Overall, "Hello Sunday! Hello Road!" reflects the experiences and emotions of a traveling musician, capturing the joys and challenges of life on the road. Scott-Heron's lyrics provide a window into his personal journey, as he navigates through different towns and cities, meets new people and faces challenges, all while pursuing his passion for music.
Line by Line Meaning
Agent told me where I'm going
I was given directions by an agent.
Tom and Keg Leg got the map
Two people named Tom and Keg Leg have a map to where I'm going.
The Steelers on my color tv
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing on my color television.
Henry riding in my lap
Henry, possibly a pet or a friend, is riding in my lap.
Say Hello Sunday, Hello Road
Greetings to Sunday and the road that I'm traveling on.
Lord what would my grandma say
I wonder what my grandmother would say if she saw me now.
To see me out here loving music
If she saw how much I love music.
So much that I live this way
To the point where it's become my way of life.
But then again she's right here with me
But then again, I feel her presence with me.
Watching every place I go
As if she's watching my every move.
Oh did you tell me it was my move
Someone informed me that it's my turn to make a decision or take action.
I guess it is
I suppose it's up to me then.
Manager we had just couldn't manage
Our previous manager wasn't able to handle our business.
So Midnight managed right alone
Midnight was able to manage things on their own.
And it's got me out here with my brothers
Because of that, I'm out here with my fellow artists.
And that's the thing that keeps me strong
That's what gives me strength and keeps me going.
Seems like we're coming up on a town
It appears that we're approaching a town.
Children on their way to Sunday school
I see children who are on their way to Sunday school.
And I'm tippin' my hat to Miss Chocolate Brown
I'm giving a respectful nod to a woman named Miss Chocolate Brown.
And it was on a Sunday that I met my old man
It was on a Sunday that I met my father when I was 26 years old.
Naw but it was much too late to speculate
But now it's too late to wonder what might have been.
Let me try the optimistic side
I'm going to try to be optimistic about things.
'Cause me and Stick done seen a lot of babies
My friend Stick and I have witnessed the birth of many children.
Dancing to "The Bottle" while we ride
They were dancing to the song 'The Bottle' while we were traveling.
It's sure nuff good being with the brothers
It's really nice to be around my fellow artists.
Carrying good news wherever we go
We're spreading positivity and good news wherever we travel.
Hey let me get myself together man
I need to compose myself and gather my thoughts.
Contributed by Jack N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michele Gagnon
This album opened a young white girls eyes in so many ways. Truly a gift!
Julius Batman
WOW, so WOKE@!
Bobby Hunt
It was on a Sunday I met my old man, I was 26 years old. Aww but it was much too late to speculate...hello Sunday hello road! That man could say a whole lot using so few words! Brilliant!
Madame Ching
That's what real poets do!
rootsgyrl
i saw Gil in 1980 when he opened for Stevie Wonder at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and i fell in love with him that very moment and my love and admiration for Gil has never wavered <3
Kam C
An amazing talent, poet, musician, author, political activist, ....I hope God is taking his talented from earth in preparation for one of the most astounding musical events to be hosted in heaven! Even through his struggles, he gave his best....AMAZING...I will always love his talent, his music, his mission was well accomplished; people are still being touched by his truth! Feel really blessed to have met you and saw you perform... R.I.P.
ianman15
I also saw Gil when he opened from Stevie Wonder in Cincinnati. He was great! Got the whole crowd moving!
TheShabazzProduction
The entire lp is slamming' I ran to the record store when it came out!!!!!
omar shabazz
This is one baddass lp, the whole thing rocks!!!!!!!!!!
CORNELL HILL
This song make me think about driving from Dallas to McNeil Arkansas,stopping to get a cheeseburger in waldo to get a 50 c tall boy can of beer too.