Bio
David Porter
Hall of Fame Songwriter
David Porter, internationally renowned songwriter, producer is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. David Porter is a cornerstone of the legendary Stax Records of Memphis. He recorded his first record as a solo singer at the age of nineteen for local Golden Eagle Records. David began his tenure at Stax Records before it was called Stax, as a matter of fact it was first known as Satellite Records. David being a recording artist at that time, upon Satellite changing its name to Stax, David stopped performing and became the first African American staff songwriter for the company. Within two years, Isaac Hayes joined him as his co-writing partner and they became one of the top songwriting and producing teams in the entire industry. David Porter's songs have been involved in more than 350 million units sells worldwide. /ReadMorebio
Reflections
One of the biggest thrills of David’s life was meeting Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, in Washington, D.C., at a private function at the home of Rev. Jessie Jackson. Also pictured is Nomalizo Leah Tutu (wife of Desmond Tutu).
Isaac Hayes and David Porter at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of NARAS on February 10th, 2007
Here, the “David Porter and Friends Show” welcomes guest Samuel L. Jackson at the Horseshoe Casino. David’s touring show was themed around the concept of “The Tonight Show” with live musical acts and interviews.
Pictured are Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn and David along with the original “Blues Brother” Dan Aykroyd. Dan, along with John Belushi, recorded the hit “Soul Man” as the famous Blues Brothers.
David and Rhonda Porter hosted a golf tournament for his Stax Records fundraiser with participants entrepreneur/author Stedman Graham, actor Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), and football player/actor Fred “The Hammer” Williamson.
This picture was taken around the time that David was asked by the Shelby County (Tenn.) Mayor to record a PSA for the Memphis/Shelby County initiative titled “Save The Children.” Recorded at Ardent Studios, participants included recording artist Carla Thomas (“B-A-B-Y”), recording artist Rufus Thomas (“Walking the Dog”), Grammy award winners Isaac Hayes and co-songwriting partner David Porter, J. Blackfoot/John Colbert (“Taxi,” member of the Stax recording group “Soul Children”), drummer Michael “Slugger” Tucker (Zavion), and Maurice White (creator and leader of Earth, Wind & Fire).
David Porter performed live at Wattstax with his show band and dancers on August 20th, 1972.
The iconic Aretha Franklin recorded a song David and Isaac wrote called “I Take What I Want,” and is also known for her Grammy-winning performance of the hit “Hold On I’m Comin’.” Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, and her father Reverend CL Franklin preached the eulogy at David Porter’s father’s funeral in 1943. This picture shows their close friendship.
A young David Porter is shown while composing in the studio with Isaac Hayes at a creative pensive point. The picture also shows a view of the control room window of Stax Records’ Studio A.
This picture was taken at a private function where Isaac Hayes and David presented a citation to country music legend Johnny Cash.
Here, David plays in a celebrity charity golf event with Hall of Fame Golfer Greg Norman and movie director Rudy Durand (associate of Jack Nicholson).
This photo was taken at the 50th Anniversary of Stax Studio. Artists and staff members pictured are: Doris Fredrick (Estelle Axton’s daughter), blues singer Anne Hines (toured with Soul Children), Norman West (original member of Soul Children), songwriter Mac Rice (“Mustang Sally,” also wrote for the Staple Singers), recording artist Mable John (the first female to be signed to Motown by Barry Gordy), Boo Mitchell (Royal Recording Studios, grandson of Willie Mitchell), Marvel Thomas (son of Rufus Thomas and keyboard player for the Rufus Thomas Band), Larry Dodson (lead singer of the Bar-kays), Curtis Johnson and Sam Jones (Vocals, Astors, recording artist of Stax Records), Jody Stevens (original member of recording group Big Star - Stax distributed that record), John Gary Williams (lead singer of The Mad Lads), Floyd Newman (original member, baritone sax player of the Memphis Horns), Betty Crutcher (songwriter with writer credits on “Cheaper To Keep Her,” co-writer on “Who’s Making Love”), Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Wayne Jackson (original member, trumpet player, Memphis Horns), Eddie Floyd (recording artist, “Knock on Wood”), Steve Cropper (guitar player, Booker T and The MG’s), Al Bell (president of Stax, co-wrote “I’ll Take You There” by the Staples Singers), and William Bell (singer/songwriter, Grammy-winning recording artist)