Maxx Kidd (born Carl Lomax Kidd, August 8, 1941 – March 13, 2017)[1][3] was an American record producer, music promoter, film producer, and impresario based in Washington, D.C.[1] He is regarded as one of the most significant figures in shepherding the growth of go-go music.[1][4][5][6] Some of the most well-known production credits included "Blow Your Whistle" and "We Need Some Money", along with numerous other go-go songs.[4] Additionally, Kidd has done concert promotion for numerous musical acts, such as Lou Rawls, Shalamar, The Temptations, Johnnie Taylor, Van McCoy, and The O'Jays.[1][7]
Maxx Kidd | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carl Lomax Kidd |
| Born | August 18, 1941[1] Charleston, West Virginia[2] |
| Origin | Washington, D.C. |
| Died | March 13, 2017 (aged 75) Chevy Chase, Maryland[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Music executive, songwriter, record producer, film producer, concert promoter |
| Years active | 1960–2017 |
| Labels | T.T.E.D., Capitol, Curtom, Shrine |
Biography edit
Maxx Kidd was born on August 8, 1941, and raised in Charleston, West Virginia.[1][2][4] During his youth in West Virginia, he met Nat King Cole in a nightclub which was owned by his father.[3][4][8] This encounter sparked Kidd's interest in the music industry.[8] Thereafter, he became a calypso singer at a drive-in restaurant.[4][8]
Kidd briefly served in the United States Army before relocating to Washington, D.C. in 1960.[1][8] After arriving in D.C., Kidd joined soul group The Enjoyables,[4] whose members included Keni St. Lewis, James Johnson, William Britton, Gerald Richardson, and Sidney Hall.[1][9][10] The group released their debut single "Push a Little Harder" on Capitol Records in 1964, and the follow-up single "Shame" in 1966 on the D.C.-based label Shrine Records.[8] Additionally, Kidd also worked with Curtis Mayfield's record label "Curtom Records", where he collaborated with Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler and Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers.[1][8] He created his own record label T.T.E.D. (the initials stood for "Tolerance, Trust, Eternal dedication, and Determination") and released numerous go-go singles and albums.[4][7][8]
In 1992, Kidd suffered a stroke and was faced with continuing health issues for the remainder of his life.[8][11] He died on March 13, 2017, in Chevy Chase, Maryland at the age of 75.[4][7][8] Kidd was survived by five daughters, one son, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, four siblings, and a son-in-law.[1][8]
See also edit
- Go-go, (a funk subgenre of Washington, D.C.)
- Good to Go, (1985 film and soundtrack)
- Music of Washington, D.C.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Staff Writer (March 16, 2017). "Veteran Go-Go music producer Maxx Kidd dies at 75". Defender Network.
- ^ a b Cooper, Michael (June 1985). "Kiss me Before You Go-Go". SPIN. pp. 65–67.
- ^ a b "Maxx Kidd". Discogs. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mitchell, Gail (March 15, 2017). "Go-Go Music Pioneer Maxx Kidd Dies at 75". Billboard.com.
- ^ Staff Writer (15 March 2017). "Go-Go Music Pioneer Maxx Kidd Dies at 75". Music News Web.
- ^ Lornell, Kip; Stephenson, Jr., Charles C. (2001). The Beat: Go-Go's Fusion of Funk and Hip-Hop. Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7727-6.
- ^ a b c Staff Writer (n.d.). "Music producer Maxx Kidd dies". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kiviat, Steve (March 20, 2017). "Maxx Kidd, Go-Go's Fiercest Advocate, Has Died". Washington City Paper.
- ^ "The Enjoyables". Discogs. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "The Enjoyables | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ Johnson, Bruce (March 27, 2017). "#OffScriptOn9: Remember Go-Go pioneer Maxx Kidd". WUSA*9 | OFFSCRIPT with Bruce Johnson.[permanent dead link]
External links edit
- Maxx Kidd at IMDb
- Take Me to the Go-Go at IMDb (upcoming biographical film)
