Rhythm and Blues artist Curtis Mayfield died December 26, 1999. He was 57.

Mayfield was born June 3, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in a poor family, Mayfield’s early musical roots were influenced by gospel singers.

He quit school in the tenth grade and became a part of a group called the Roosters that would later be called the Impressions. Mayfield, who composed and played the guitar, was encouraged to join the Impressions by Jerry Butler.

When signed by Vee Jay Records, the Impressions recorded the song For Your Precious Love that sold nearly a million copies.

Known as Jerry Butler and the Impressions, Butler left the group in 1959. Mayfield took over as lead soloist and writer, but the Impressions disbanded after three singles.

Two years later, Mayfield reorganized the Impressions in New York City. In July 1961, Gypsy Woman was released. For the next seven years, Mayfield’s songs were high on the rhythm and blues charts.

It’s All Right in 1962 was a crossover hit on both the R&B and pop charts, rising to number one and number four respectively.

Mayfield left the Impressions in 1970 and embarked on a solo career. He wrote soundtracks for the movie Superfly in 1972. He reunited with the Impressions in 1983 for a reunion tour.

Mayfield’s popularity began to wane during the remainder of the 1980’s, but in 1990 he was making a comeback. Gypsy Woman had been made into a popular remake by Santana, and the Impressions had been nominated for selection in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But tragedy struck when Mayfield was struck by a light tower when preparing for a concert in Brooklyn. He was left a quadriplegic. His health declined. He died December 26, 1999.