Eddie Hinton (15 June 1944 - 28 July 1995) was an American songwriter and session musician best known for his work with soul music and R&B singers. He played lead guitar for Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section from 1967 to 1971.

As a session guitarist, Hinton played on hit records recorded by Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley, Aretha Franklin, Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, The Staple Singers, The Dells, Paul Kelly, Johnny Taylor, Elvis Presley, The Box Tops, R. B. Greaves, Boz Scaggs, Evie Sands, Looking Glass, Toots Hibbert and Otis Redding.

Hinton was a songwriter in his own right as well. His most well known song is "Breakfast in Bed" which has been recorded many times, most notably by Dusty Springfield and by UB40 with Chrissie Hynde. He also co-wrote "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" sung by Laura Lee.

Legacy and Influence

The song "Sandwiches for the Road" by fellow Alabamians Drive-By Truckers is based on the life of Eddie Hinton. It appears on their 1998 debut LP, Gangstabilly.

A documentary of the life and musical career of Hinton was made by New Mexico Filmmakers Deryle Perryman and Moises Gonzalez. Narrated by bluesman Robert Cray, Dangerous Highway screened in film festivals across the US and made its European premiere at the 2008 Porretta Soul Festival in Porretta, Italy. The film, a critical and popular success, was never allowed commercial release as Hinton's mother, controller of most of the rights to the songs in the film, did not approve of the story.

Dangerous Highway

Beginning in 2009, Shake It Records based in Cincinnati, Ohio, began releasing entries from their series Dangerous Highway: A Tribute to the Music of Eddie Hinton. This series featured cover versions of Hinton's songs by artists who were inspired by and continue his legacy. Volumes one and two were released in 2009.

Volume 1 - Greg Dulli
Side A - "Hard Luck Guy"; Side B - "Cover Me"

Volume 2 - Drive-By Truckers
Side A - "Where's Eddie?"; Side B - "Everybody Needs Love"

Volume 3 - Heartless Bastards and Wussy
Side A - "Got Down Last Saturday Night" - Heartless Bastards ; Side B - "Breakfast in Bed" - Wussy

Volume 4 - Buffalo Killers
Side A - "Heavy Makes You Happy"; Side B - "Still Water Runs Deep"

Personal life

He was born to Deanie McGee Hinton Perkins and Horton Hinton and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he formed a band, The Five Minutes who received local fame quickly. He was the grandson of a preacher and used the gospel influences in his music to tell his stories of pain and redemption. Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler heard Eddie while he was doing session work in Muscle Shoals and called him "the next big thing". However, Hinton's battles with mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction prevented that from happening.

He died at home with his mother, Deanie Perkins and step-father, Paul Perkins in Birmingham, Alabama from a heart attack at age 51.

Discography

• Very Extremely Dangerous (1978) Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
• Letters From Mississippi (1987) Birdland Recording Studio
• Cry & Moan (1991) Duck Tape Studio
• Very Blue Highway (1993) Birdland Recording Studio
• Hard Luck Guy (1999) Birdland & Duck Tape Recording Studios

[ Source: Wikipedia ]