Booker T. Jones will be bringing the sounds of 40 years of R & B and more to the Lincoln Theatre. He will be performing with the Booker T. Band at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Jones is a multi-genre musician with hits ranging from soul to instrumental rock. He has created a reputation as a songwriter and performer. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jones is also well-known for his work on the Hammond organ, the instrument he played with his band Booker T. and the MGs. He has lent his abilities to artists like Ray Charles, Neil Young and Natalie Merchant.
Jones began practicing music early in his life.
“The first time I was ever in a dime store and I saw a drum, I was just drawn over to the drum,” Jones said during a telephone interview. He does not know exactly what drew him to music, but practice made him what he is today. “I wasn’t a prodigy. I practiced all the time when I was a kid,” Jones said.
His dedication soon paid off. At 16 years old, he played baritone saxophone for soon-to-be Stax Records’ first hit, “Cause I Love You.” Jones remembers leaving class to go and record the track with a saxophone borrowed from the school.
“It really was extraordinary. It was quite lucky,” Jones said. “I knew the key of the song and I came up with the hook for the song. I played it and the horns answered me.”
Jones soon signed with Stax Records, falling into the MGs soon after.
“We started as the house band for Stax,” he said. “We just became a band by accident. A singer didn’t show up so we used that time to record ‘Green Onions.'” “Green Onions” would become the band’s first hit.
Booker T. and the MGs became known not only for their music but for being racially integrated in the predominantly African-American music scene in Memphis, Tenn. The band had a white guitarist and bassist.
Jones continued to perform with the MGs as he split his free time between music studies at Indiana University and working with other Stax artists, including Eddie Floyd and Otis Redding.
He left Stax Records in 1970 and moved to California. Jones then produced three albums with his wife, Priscilla, while collaborating with other artists.
Jones’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came in 1992. He was especially honored to be inducted at that time in his career.
“So early — It was just big, huge to me.” Jones said. “That was the ultimate.”
His Lifetime Achievement Award came years later in 2007 at the Grammys. Winning the award validated Jones’ career.
“It was a landmark for me,” Jones said. “It made me feel like I had done something with my life. It made me feel like I really belonged.”
Jones released a new album in 2009, “Potato Hole.” The album featured guitar work by Neil Young.
“A lot of the songs I wrote for the “Potato Hole” album were inspired by Neil,” Jones said. “I really loved his guitar sound.”
Jones’ performance with the Booker T. Band will bring music from his entire career to the audience. He plans on including in his set some of the MGs’ hits including “Green Onions,” along with some of his favorites from his time with Stax and new tracks from “Potato Hole.”
“I think they’re [the audience] just going to have a great time,” Jones said.