Rhythm guitarist
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges was an indispensable ingredient of the Memphis Soul sound of the 1970s. Along with his brothers, Leroy (bass) and
Charles (organ), he generated the chugging, bluesy grooves and smooth rhythms that, particularly with singer
Al Green, have become a prominent part of American music history.
Hodges co-wrote several hits with Green. "Here I Am, Come and Take Me," "Full of Fire," and the timeless "Love and Happiness" are just a few.
Hodges began playing guitar at age 12, quickly learning
Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" and
B.B. King's "Woke Up This Morning." As a teenager, he was taken in and tutored by Hi records producer
Willie Mitchell.
Mitchell enlisted the services of the
Hodges brothers, drummers
Al Jackson and
Howard Grimes, and pianist
Archie Turner, forming the powerfully productive
Hi Rhythm Section. With
Mitchell at the helm, this group churned out hit after hit, with the rhythm guitar of Teenie Hodges almost always at the core.
Since Green's departure and the demise of the glory days of Hi,
Hodges has done mostly studio work and continues to perform as the leader of the
Hi Rhythm Section with his brothers and
Grimes.
–
Keith Brown, Rovi