Hermon Hitson Herman Hitson (born June 7, 1943) is an American guitarist from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He has played with Garnet Mimms, Joe Tex, Bobby Womack, and Wilson Pickett. Hitson has also been at the center of the controversy over the disputed Hendrix "Free Spirit" track.
Background Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Hitson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He formed the Sterophonics in 1959 which was his first band. at that time he only knew a few guitar chords but got the chance to play to the audience because his guitar player never turned up. Seeing a positive reaction from the audience he purchased a guitar the next day. After the Stereophonics finished he formed another band called The Rockin' Tonics. The first record he cut "Been So Long" / "Georgia Grind" on Royal Records was plugged by DJs and Hitson did quite well with it.
His song "Love Slipped Thru My Fingers" is a popular Northern Soul track.The Story of Northern Soul: A Definitive History of the Dance Scene that Refuses To Die By David Nowell The full playlist of Richard Searling's last ever spot at The Casino in September 1981Too darn soulful: the story of Northern soul David Nowell Page 159Soul Underground Feb 2012 Richard Searling: What Happened To Yesterday?
In the late 1980s, Hitson, Freddie Terrell, and Raymond Smith formed Family Records Inc. The first artists they signed were Harrison Jones and The Voices of Harmony.Billboard December 28, 1989 Page 15 General News, New Companies
Among the musicians that have either backed or played with Hitson are the Mississippi-based guitarist J.D. Mark, who died in 2013,The Local Voice July 13, 2013 Local Musician J.D. Mark Passes Away by Newt RayburnThe Times-Picayune July 15, 2013 Guitarist J.D. Mark, of the Haunted Hearts band and others, has died By Alison Fensterstock, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune and The Lonely Lonely Knights. The Knights had also backed Filmore Slim, Chick Willis, and Ralph "Soul" Jackson.OffBeat Magazine August 10, 2012 Lonely Lonely Knights Hit Frenchmen Street by John Swenson
Controversy Regarding the controversy over "Free Spirit", questions are asked if Hitson is the actual player and singer on the track, or if it was actually Hendrix who played on it, also being unsure on who deserves the artist credit.Gambit April 29, 2008 Rhythm Section, Headliner Notes, Herman Hitson By Alison Fensterstock Some tracks that may or may not actually feature HendrixEarly Hendrix Lonnie Youngblood have Hitson, Lonnie Youngblood, and Lee Moses have playing on them. Some have been produced by John Brantley.The Jimi Hendrix Experience Chapter 4
Later years In 2005, Soul-Tay-Shus Records released You Are Too Much for the Human Heart which was a compilation of singles he recorded from 1961 to 1976. Peter Margasak, reviewer for the Chicago Reader stated that the material on the album ranged from Otis Redding styled songs to tracks similar to James Brown.Chicago Reader June 21, 2007 Arts & Culture | Theater Critic's Choice, Herman Hitson by Peter Margasak
In August 2010, Herman Hitson and the Lonely Knights appeared at the Rock ’n’ Bowl in New Orleans.The Times-Picayune August 20, 2010 A Dash Rip Rock CD release party, Joe Krown for free and more music for Aug. 20–26, SATURDAY, Aug. 21 by Keith Spera
Discography + Singles Name Title Label and cat Year Notes # Hermon and the Rockin Tonics "Been So Long" / "Georgia Grind" Royal 2871-47 Hermon and the Rockin Tonics "Laughin" / "Find My Baby" Royal 2871-50 Herman Hitson"You Are Too Much for the Human Heart" / "I Got That Will" ATCO Records 45-6566 1968 Arranged by – T. StaffProduced by – Johnny BrantleyDiscogs Herman Hitson – You Are Too Much For The Human Heart / I Got That Will Herman Hitson "Yes You Did" / "Better To Have Loved" Minit 32072 1969 Produced by Johnny BrantleyArranged by T. Staff Hermon Hitson "She's A Bad Girl" / "Show Some Sign" Minit 32096 S 1970 Produced by Johnny BrantleyArranged by Lee Moses45Cat Herman Hitson – Discography Herman Hitson "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" / "Ain't No Other Way Sweet Rose Records O-25, O-26 1972Discogs Herman Hitson – You Can't Keep A Good Man Down / Ain't No Other Way Hermon Hitson "Buckbboard" / "Ayana" (The Baby Song) Hitsong HH-001 1979 Side 1 Produced by Hermon Hitson, Arranged by Hermon Baaqar
Side 2 Produced by Hermon Baaqar, Eddie MaxeyArranged by Darryl Cooper, Kenny Davis, H. Hitson
+ CD singles Title Label and cat Year Notes # "I Should Have Kept My Big Mouth Closed" Sweet Rose Express Records "Dream Weaver", "Letters I'll Never Mail" Sweet Rose Express Records Hermon Hitson – The Soul of Soul Hermon Hitson – Music and More!
+ Albums Title Label and cat Year Notes # You Are Too Much for the Human Heart Soul-Tay-Shus Records STS CD 6352 2005EB Records Herman Hitson – You Are Too Much For The Human Heart: Rare & Unreleased Georgia Soul 19611976 Soul-Tay-ShusRate Your Music You Are Too Much for the Human Heart Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Sweet Rose Express 2008 Live at The Earl Sweet Rose Express Supporting band: Freddie Terrell and the Buckboard Express BandHermon Hitson – The Soul of Soul Hermon Hitson – Music and More! Hermon Hitson's – Free Spirit Brooklyn Soul presents Live in Concert Sweet Rose Express Records 2010CD Baby Brooklyn Soul "Live In Concert" by Hermon Hitson
References
External links Official website