Legendary Memphis Music Icon Chips Moman Dead at 79

Courtesey of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Legendary Memphis music icon Chips Moman passed away yesterday at the age of 79.

Think of some of your favorite songs from artists like Elvis Presley, Bobby Womack, or Aretha Franklin. Chances are that legendary Memphis producer Lincoln “Chips” Moman had a hand in creating them.

After working with Satellite Records in the early ’60s -the label that would later become Stax- Moman went on to create American Sound Studio where he would produce legendary songs for the Box Tops, Elvis Presley, Bobby Womack and more.

Moman dominated the Billboard Hot 100 charts for much of the late ’60s and early ’70s, often having a plethora of songs he either wrote or produced on the chart at the same time. Simply put, Moman not only helped create the “Memphis sound,” he dominated the popular music landscape, and his recording style is still a heavy influence on both local and national recording artists and producers.

Moman also had a knack for reviving musical careers, and Elvis Presley’s last number one hit, “Suspicious Minds” was recorded at American Sound Studio in January of 1969.

Chips Moman is survived by his wife Jane and his children Casey and Monique. Details on his funeral are not available at this time, but take a moment and listen to some of the MANY hit songs that are associated with his legendary career.