Winfield Parker
Winfield Parker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Winfield Albert Parker June 21, 1942 Cooksville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | January 18, 2021 (aged 78) Howard County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, gospel |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, saxophonist |
| Years active | 1960s–2010s |
| Labels | Ru-Jac, Arctic, Wand, Spring, GSF, Little Star, P&L |
Winfield Albert Parker (June 21, 1942 – January 18, 2021) was an American soul and gospel singer-songwriter and saxophonist based in Baltimore who was known for his 1971 R&B song "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)".[1][2][3][4][5]
Early life
Winfield Parker was born on June 21, 1942, in Cooksville, Maryland. At the age of 16, he took up the saxophone.[6]
Career
Parker began recording in the 1960s and performed on stage with artists such as Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Ike & Tina Turner.[7][8][9][10]
In 1971, Parker released a cover of Edwin Starr's "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)," which became his only nationally charting single, reaching number 48 on the Billboard R&B chart.[11] He continued to perform soul music for the rest of his career, even after shifting focus to gospel music.[12]
Personal life and legacy
In 2013, he received the Gold Mic Award from the Global Entertainment Media Association for his work on soul and gospel music.[13]
Parker became an ordained minister in 1981. He died from complications of COVID-19 on January 18, 2021, at Gilchrist Center in Howard County, Maryland, at the age of 78.[14][15]
Discography
Studio albums
- Mr. Clean (GSF, 1972)
- Winfield Parker (Little Star, 1988)
- I Want to Be Loved (P&L Records, gospel, 2000s)
- He's Able (P&L Records, gospel, 2000s)
Selected singles
- "Shake That Thing" / "Brand New Start" (Arctic, 1969)
- "I'm Wondering" / "Barbara" (Wand, 1970)
- "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)" / "I'm on My Way" (Spring, 1971)
- "Mr. Clean" / "I Love You Just the Same" (GSF, 1972)
Charted single
| Year | Title | Chart (U.S. R&B) | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)" | Billboard R&B[16] | 48 |
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "R.I.P. "S.O.S." singer Winfield Parker at 78". SoulTracks. January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Winfield Parker". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "R.I.P. "S.O.S." singer Winfield Parker at 78". SoulTracks. January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Winfield Parker". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "About Winfield Parker". 17 December 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Maryland native Winfield Parker, versatile R&B musician who played with Little Richard and Otis Redding, dies". The Baltimore Sun. January 20, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.