Michael Henderson Passed Away at the Age of 71

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Michael Henderson, born on July 7, 1951, rose to prominence in the early 1970s for his work with Miles Davis. His contributions to fusion albums including Jack Johnson, Live-Evil, and Agharta were well received. He was also featured on other big musicians’ successful tracks. In the early 1960s, the Yazoo City, Mississippi native relocated to Detroit and began working as a session musician. He was a fusion bass guitarist and one of the most important jazz and soul performers of the past four decades.

He collaborated with performers such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and the Dramatics, among others. Henderson previously toured with Stevie Wonder after meeting him at the Regal Theater in Chicago while preparing for a show. In 1970, Davis saw Henderson perform at the Copacabana in New York City. After seven years with Davis, he concentrated on his solo career, producing numerous successful songs and albums for Buddah Records until his retirement in 1986.

Take Me, I’m Yours was his first Top Ten R&B single for Buddah Records. In 1980, he had another success with Wide Number. In 1986, he signed with EMI and recorded Can’t We Fall in Love Again with Phyllis Hyman for her EP, as well as singing with Bobby Womack and Johnnie Taylor.

He was most known for his ballads, but he was also a funk guitarist whose riffs and melodies were extensively replicated. He was well-known for his ballad vocalizing on numerous Norman Connors records, including You Are My Starship and Valentine Love.