Disruptive Facts About Curtis Mayfield, Music’s Not-So-Gentle Genius

Disruptive Facts About Curtis Mayfield, Music’s Not-So-Gentle Genius


June 3, 2025 | Alicia B.

Disruptive Facts About Curtis Mayfield, Music’s Not-So-Gentle Genius


The Martin Luther King of Music

Curtis Mayfield didn’t just make good songs. He made songs that did good. From poverty to protest anthems, he rose with velvet vocals and iron convictions. They called him the “Gentle Genius,” but behind the smooth sound was a fighter. Then, in a split second, tragedy struck—and everything changed.

1. He Had An Awful Childhood

The odds were always stacked against Curtis. To start, he was born in 1942, before the civil rights movement. Then, Curtis was only five when his father abandoned him, his four siblings, and his mother. The family moved around Chicago public housing before settling into the notorious Cabrini-Green projects. But settled doesn’t always mean better. 

1748667888d1c8e3f3ed0f36e7dc56c7182deb62f4c624dc65.pngAVRO, Wikimedia Commons

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2. He Was A Music Prodigy

There are bad childhoods, and there’s Curtis Mayfield’s. Poverty, prejudice, mocking...you name it, and he suffered it. At least he fell in love with music—and it loved him back. Music was more than a hobby or coping mechanism. It was his salvation. Curtis saw music as the solution to everything, from his insecurities to his family’s poverty. 

Gettyimages - 73995851, Photo of Curtis Mayfield UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MayfieldMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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3. He Took A Risk

Curtis met his destiny young. At 14, he joined a musical group that became The Impressions, as lead singer and main songwriter. It was music or bust, so Curtis dropped out of high school in his second year. This cliche ended in disaster for countless aspiring musicians. But The Impressions—and Curtis in particular—were special. 

Gettyimages - 85355925, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD and IMPRESSIONS UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD and IMPRESSIONS; Posed studio group portrait, full length L-R Sam Gooden, Fred Cash and Curtis Mayfield Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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4. He Lived His Dream

Curtis was living his dream, and the American Dream. The Impressions were growing—but so was the civil rights movement. Curtis couldn’t, and didn’t want to, ignore it. The group became one of the first acts to sing about African American issues.But in doing so, they put themselves in grave danger. Turns out, Curtis was also living the American Nightmare. 

Gettyimages - 1014185548, The Impressions American group The Impressions perform with soul singers Jerry Butler and Betty Everett at the Apollo Theatre, New York City, circa 1965. From left to right, they are Sam Gooden, Fred Cash and Curtis Mayfield.Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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5. He Was At Risk

The Impressions spent a lot of time on tour, and a lot of that time fearing for their lives. Their growing success didn’t change the dangers of being African American. Especially in the South. This included not being able to stay in white hotels, and having to avoid many towns after dark. The Impressions did everything right, but still toured in fear. It’s no wonder Curtis began looking for comfort in the wrong places.

Gettyimages - 1319215599, The Impressions Play The Apollo American soul group The Impressions (American singer-songwriter and musician Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999), American singer Fred Cash, and American singer Sam Gooden) perform live at the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan, New York City, New York, circa 1965. Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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6. He Met A Girl

Curtis was home between tours when he met Helen. They began dating—not that you could tell when he went back on the road. Groupies flocked to the rising star, and he was more than willing to entertain them. He began cheating on his partners young. Once Curtis started, he couldn’t stop. Even after he decided to make the biggest commitment yet.

Gettyimages - 74282690, Photo of Curtis Mayfield Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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7. He Got Married

At just 17 years old, Curtis wasn’t exactly marriage material. He was too young, too busy, too difficult, and too unfaithful. These teenage sweethearts were a case of wrong person and wrong time. But Curtis and Helen decided to marry anyway. It gets even weirder. They married in a double ceremony with The Impressions member Fred Cash, and Judy. Neither couple would get a happy ending.

Gettyimages - 85355923, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD and IMPRESSIONS UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD and IMPRESSIONS; Posed studio group portrait L-R Fred Cash, Sam Gooden and Curtis MayfieldGilles Petard, Getty Images

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8. He Had A Meet Ugly

Not too long after his marriage, Curtis had a meet-ugly with another girl—Diane. She and her friends attended a show that The Impressions played in. On their way home, the group's limo almost struck them. Two bandmates got out, apologized, and offered the girls tickets to tomorrow’s show. Our 20-year-old loner sulked in the car. But everything changed at the next show.

Gettyimages - 494533965, The Impressions Marvin Gaye, group portrait, USA, 1964. L-R Fred Cash, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Gooden.Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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9. He Was Tempted

His loyalty faced its biggest temptation yet: Diane. Curtis went from paying Diane no attention one night to paying her too much attention the next. They hit it off at the show, and began a romance. But they had to keep it under wraps since they were both married to other people. Diane also had a young son. They loved each other through secret letters, phone calls, gifts, and tour meet ups. But, of course, it gets messier.

Gettyimages - 73995803, Photo of Curtis MayfieldMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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10. He Was Conflicted

His career was falling into place, while his personal life was falling apart. Even their first baby couldn't save Curtis and Helen's marriage. They were doomed the moment Curtis began courting her. Meanwhile, Diane dumped her husband. Curtis felt tempted to follow her footsteps. One day, the urge became too strong. Poor Helen.

Gettyimages  -73995836, Photo of Curtis Mayfield UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis Mayfield Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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11. He Dumped His Wife

After three years of marriage and two kids, Curtis dumped Helen. Helen had his ring, but Diane had his heart. He wrote his mom a letter explaining—or justifying—this decision. Curtis admitted that while Diane was “a good woman”, he was still “unhappy a large portion of the time”. He even declared  “things have happened within our home that has caused my love for her to die”. He kept going.

Gettyimages - 73995844, Photo of Curtis Mayfield UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis Mayfield Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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12. He Fell Out Of Love

According to Curtis, this wasn’t only about him. The divorce would spare their kids from seeing mom and dad miserable together. And this was supposed to be Helen’s best interest too: ”my respect for her will not let me lead her on as I have in the past. A woman with a child needs more than a husband. She also needs love and affection”. But Curtis had a weird way of showing he meant it.

  Gettyimages - 150031403, Curtis Mayfield American singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield (1942 - 1999), 26th January 1972. Michael Putland, Getty Images

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13. He Was Cheap And Stubborn

Helen demanded money in the divorce, but he refused. Curtis would rather stay married to her on paper than give up his money. Even if that meant being unable to make it official with Diane. They didn’t care and had two kids together. Curtis even adopted Tracy, Diane’s son, as his own. Curtis may have been a decent father, but he was a degenerate partner. Diane soon learned this in the hardest way.

Gettyimages - 74283245, Photo of Curtis Mayfield Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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14. He Was A Bad Partner

Diane never thought Curtis was an easy man—but she never thought he’d be this hard. Curtis did grand and expensive gestures for their family. But he didn’t do the smaller and everyday things that made relationships last. At first, she figured Curtis was just a quirky and introverted genius. Diane didn’t realize how controlling, temperamental, and disloyal he was. Once Diane realized, she was in too deep.

Gettyimages - 1195113227, Curtis Mayfield performs on Soul Train. Curtis Mayfield in between takes on Soul Train episode 143, aired 6/7/1975. Soul Train, Getty Images

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15. He Got A Mistress

Curtis didn’t limit himself to random flings. He also got a mistress, and set her up with an apartment. He started living a double life. There was Curtis, the family man who lived with Diane and the kids. And then there was Curtis, the cheater in the love nest. Diane might have been able to ignore it as long as Curtis was discreet… but he couldn’t even give her that.

Gettyimages - 112143654, Curtis Mayfield Curtis MayfieldMichael Putland, Getty Images

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16. He Was Shameless

Poor Diane couldn’t catch a break, and Curtis couldn’t stop betraying her. There was that time he impregnated another woman. Or that time said woman called to let them know she lost the baby. Or the time Diane came home and caught him in the act with another woman. Many times Diane knew these women. And sometimes, she snapped.

Gettyimages - 85356097, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; Curtis Mayfield in Miguel Pineiro's film 'Short Eyes'Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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17. He Drove Her Crazy

Diane was a woman with a plan. She would drive herself, her kids, and a friend to his lover's homes. The kids stayed outside while the adults stormed inside to confront the other woman. The kids didn’t have the full picture back then, but they already knew something was wrong. They also realized that their dad had different personalities.

Gettyimages - 85356091, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; Posed portrait of Curtis Mayfield Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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18. He Had Split Personalities

His kids revealed that Curtis had three voices. The first was the soft tone he used in songs, interviews, and normal interactions. This one earned him the name “Gentle Genius”. The second voice was stern and fatherly. Curtis used it to parent his kids when they did something wrong. The third was  “trembling, frenzied scream that only came out in fights with women”. And it was “scary”.

Gettyimages - 85223652, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 18: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; Curtis Mayfield backstage at The Barn, Ilford, Essex, 6/18/1983David Corio, Getty Images

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19. He Went Too Far

In one instance, Diane took a modeling gig, and Curtis took it badly. He raced home where Diana was about to leave for her job. Curtis demanded that she stay home. Diane screamed “I want to work! I want my own money!” Curtis snapped “You want money?” and grabbed a wad of cash from his pocket. Curtis tried throwing it at her, but the window blew it all over the street. Diane drove away while he scrambled to pick up the money. It gets worse.

Gettyimages - 112143656, Curtis Mayfield Curtis Mayfield, portrait, London, 26th January 1972.Michael Putland, Getty Images

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20. He Had A Temper

Curtis did things that were inexcusable and unforgivable. One day, he and Diane got into an argument in front of his brother Kenny. He ended up punching her in the stomach. Diane was about to call the authorities—until his family begged her not to. This wasn’t the first or last time Curtis got physical with his romantic partners.

  Gettyimages - 85355591, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; Curtis Mayfield performing on stage, playing guitarGilles Petard, Getty Images

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21. He Couldn’t Move On

Their relationship ended, but the drama didn’t. Curtis couldn’t let go of Diane—even after he got into a relationship with another woman. Even after Curtis started calling the new woman, Toni, his “spiritual wife” (he was still married to Helen). The exes stayed in each other’s lives so it was normal for him to drop by Diane’s house. Until a man called Diane during a visit.

Gettyimages - 74960356, Photo of Curtis Mayfield UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1980: Photo of Curtis MayfieldDavid Corio, Getty Images

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22. He Was Aggressive

Curtis grabbed the phone, and hung up on the man. He stormed to the bathroom where Diane was bathing their daughter. He began screaming at Diane. He grabbed their daughter out of the tub. He knocked Diane down, kicked her, and left a “huge bruise” on her thigh. His “spiritual marriage” wasn’t any better. But Curtis soon got a taste of his own medicine.

Gettyimages - 85223155, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 18: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; Curtis Mayfield backstaqe at The Barn, Ilford, Essex, England. 6-18-1983David Corio, Getty Images

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23. He Was Suspiciously Injured

Right before Curtis and Toni broke up, he ended up in the hospital. Something—or someone—severed the tendon on one of his fingers. The injury was so bad that he could have lost the ability to play guitar ever again. Curtis brushed it off as a kitchen accident. But some of his family suspected that Toni stabbed him. His personal life was always messy, but his professional life rarely reflected that.

Gettyimages - 74282696, Photo of Curtis MayfieldMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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24. He Was Savvy

Curtis changed music—then he changed the industry. Curtis was only 19 when he became one of the first African Americans to start a music publishing company. Then he was only 25 when he founded Curtom Records. He also composed music for artists like Aretha Franklin. Even so, Curtis lived by the motto “own yourself”, and revealed the heartbreaking reason why. 

1748674703dd2df96e99f145b67a3d33e45ad6474dc3241500.jpgAtlantic Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice), Wikimedia Commons

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25. He Had A Motto

He confessed “I believed very early in life that it was important to own as much of yourself as possible. I think that came from my insecurities as a child, coming up as a poor young student from a family that was poor”. Curtis knew how it felt to be powerless and unable to provide for your family. One of his worst fears was going back to this state. And this nightmare was closer than anyone thought. 

Gettyimages - 85510320, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELDGems, Getty Images

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26. He Got Bolder

The older Curtis got, the braver he got about writing social issues. But it was getting hard not to: "With everything I saw on the streets as a young black kid, it wasn't hard during the later fifties and sixties for me to write my heartfelt way of how I visualized things, how I thought things ought to be”. Curtis didn’t just make a difference, he made history. 

Gettyimages - 615461572, Curtis Mayfield Curtis Mayfield performs on stage, United States, 1972. Gilles Petard, Getty Images

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27. He Made A Difference

The Impressions have released many songs about these topics, but “People Get Ready” in 1965 stands above the rest, so much so that it became an anthem of a historical icon. Namely, Martin Luther King Jr. lauded it as the Civil Rights Movement’s unofficial anthem. He used the song in matches and to comfort people. “People Get Ready” is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It wasn’t enough. 

1748675053b7ec9cad0005fd8c284c1ce6d0e8e56bbbbe383b.jpgDick DeMarsico, Wikimedia Commons

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28. He Got Uncomfortable

Curtis wanted to be even more outspoken about social issues, but he knew the dangers this posed. Putting himself at risk was one thing. But he would also be putting his fellow group members' livelihoods—and lives—at risk. Some radio stations even banned “People Get Ready”. The more outspoken Curtis got, the more he worried for his group mates Fred and Sam. He had to do the right thing.

Gettyimages - 514703522, Curtis Mayfield Singing A portrait of rhythm and blues singer Curtis Mayfield singing. Bettmann, Getty Images

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29. He Went Solo

At 28, Curtis went through one of his most difficult breakups yet. This time, he left The Impressions and went solo. Curtis wanted more control over his life, and a change of peace. The risk paid off. Curtis released a few successful personal albums. But his crown jewel might be the soundtrack for the 1972 film Super Fly. It’s seen as one of the greatest albums of all time. But Curtis wasn’t done.

Super Fly (1972) Official Trailer - Ron O'Neal, Sheila Frazier Movie HD, Rotten Tomatoes Classic TrailersSuper Fly (1972) Official Trailer - Ron O'Neal, Sheila Frazier Movie HD, Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers

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30. He Became A Hero

Curtis became such a hero that some even compared him to Martin Luther King. Political songs like “Keep On Pushing” got banned from radio stations and cut into his earnings. But not even lost money could cause Curtis to waver.  He championed equality all the way to his tragic end.  But things were more complicated in his personal life.

Gettyimages - 90419029, Curtis Mayfield At Studio 54 NEW YORK: Curtis Mayfield posed inside Studio 54 Club in New York in 1977 Richard E. Aaron, Getty Images

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31. He Started Declining

Curtis began a relationship with another woman, Altheida, and had six kids with her. But even worse than adding another woman to his roster, he continued his history of getting physical with partners. Nothing lasts forever: his career, artistry, business, and personal life began struggling. His substance use made everything worse. Curtis had “sunk to a low point”, but the worst was yet to come. 

Gettyimages - 81179370, Curtis Mayfield Honored At Hollywood's RockWalk HOLLYWOOD - MAY 20: Altheida Mayfield attends a ceremony honoring her husband, R&B legend Curtis Mayfield at Hollywood's RockWalk on May 20, 2008 in Hollywood, California. Noel Vasquez, Getty Images

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32. He Made An Unconventional Family

There are big families, and there’s the Mayfields. 10 kids and 3 baby mamas. Curtis wanted his family to get along and included everyone. But there were always tensions between 13 people vying for 1 man’s limited time. And they were worsening. As time wore on, he was spending less time with them, while breaking more promises. Curtis was the thread keeping this family together—but he was unravelling. 

Gettyimages - 451326966, Curtis Mayfield Portrait Session LOS ANGELES - 1981: Musician Curtis Mayfield poses for a portrait in 1981 in Los Angeles, California.Harry Langdon, Getty Images

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33. He Performed At A Dangerous Concert

August 13, 1990 was the worst day of his life. Curtis, about to perform at an outdoor concert in New York, had no idea. Marty Markowitz, a state senator, organized the concert. The politician was introducing Curtis “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve decided that we’re going to bring up Curtis Mayfield. I’m thrilled…”when a rude and terrifying interruption cut him off. 

Gettyimages - 159358833, Curtis Mayfield At SummerStage American rhythm & blues and soul musician Curtis Mayfield (1942 - 1999) performs at Central Park's SummerStage, New York, New York, July 7, 1990. Five weeks later, Mayfield suffered from an accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.Jack Vartoogian, Getty Images

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34. He Was In Danger

The extreme winds threw hundreds of fans around like ragdolls, and sent speakers crashing down. Marty felt torn: he already started the introduction, and the band was still playing. The show went on—even though it shouldn’t have.  The senator finished the introduction and cued Curtis. The artist began walking to the microphone. He only made it halfway there.

Gettyimages - 159353492, Curtis Mayfield At SummerStage American rhythm & blues and soul musician Curtis Mayfield (1942 - 1999) performs at Central Park's SummerStage, New York, New York, July 7, 1990. Five weeks later, Mayfield suffered from an accident that paralyzed him from the neck down. Jack Vartoogian, Getty Images

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35. He Had A Freak Accident

Stage lights fell right onto his neck. Curtis crumpled to the ground and blacked out. The audience screamed and ran for their lives. And of course it started pouring rain. The crew covered Curtis, who couldn’t move or be moved, with a plastic sheet. The only thing they could do was wait for help. The ambulance rushed Curtis to the hospital where nothing but bad news awaited.

Gettyimages - 159348855, Curtis Mayfield At SummerStage American rhythm & blues and soul musician Curtis Mayfield (1942 - 1999) performs at Central Park's SummerStage, New York, New York, July 7, 1990. Five weeks later, Mayfield suffered from an accident that paralyzed him from the neck down. Jack Vartoogian, Getty Images

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36. He Was Destroyed

Medicine could save his life, but not his body. The accident paralyzed the 48-year-old from the neck down; he’d never walk again, much less play guitar. It gets worse. Curtis caught pneumonia, and his battered body couldn’t fight it. He ended up hooked to a ventilator and unable to speak. Curtis cried in front of his son Todd Mayfield for the first time—then made a shocking request.

Gettyimages - 51042933, Curtis Mayfield At The Soul Train Awards In The Shrine Auditorium In Los Angeles Califor E296193-86:Curtis Mayfield At The Soul Train Awards In The Shrine Auditorium In Los Angeles, California March 7,1997. Barry King, Getty Images

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37. He Was Obsessed With Money

Curtis mouthed to his son “Take care of the finances”. It was a crazy request considering the circumstances. But it wasn’t a selfish or materialistic one. Turns out, Curtis obsessed over money for his loved ones. It allowed him to take care of his family, and shield his kids from the poverty he experienced firsthand. The accident took away his ability to make it—and it was just getting started.

Gettyimages - 84999472, Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 01: Photo of Curtis MAYFIELD; posed Fin Costello, Gettyimages

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38. He Lost Everything

Todd revealed that Curtis “knew he’d lost more than just control of his body. He’d lost his guitar, his other self, the love of his life. With it, he lost the magic that gave him control of his life—music... Because he could control music, he could control his world. With cruel irony, fate snatched that control from him in the exact place where he had earned it—the stage”.

Gettyimages - 110758039, Curtis Mayfield Performs in Barcelona BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 06: Curtis Mayfield performs on stage at Zeleste on April 6, 1990 in Barcelona, Spain.Jordi Vidal, Getty Images

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39. He Made Peace

Curtis made Altheida his wife, and made peace with his reality. When someone expressed their pity, he put on a brave face. Curtis insisted “Don’t feel sorry for me; it could’ve happened to anybody. I was just there”.   Altheida declared “He broke his back but not his spirit”. Curtis had one last surprise up his sleeve—and it was inspiring. 

  Gettyimages - 81179378, Curtis Mayfield Honored At Hollywood's RockWalk HOLLYWOOD - MAY 20: Altheida Mayfield attends a ceremony honoring her husband, R&B legend Curtis Mayfield at Hollywood's RockWalk on May 20, 2008 in Hollywood, California. Noel Vasquez, Getty Images

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40. He Kept Going

Curtis continued to compose music and sing. Even though he couldn’t sing more than a few lines at a time. Even when he had to sing laying down so gravity could pull his chest and lungs. In 1996, he released his final album New World Order. Curtis may have had to record it laying down, yet he’d never stood taller. But it didn’t last long.

Curtis MayfieldCurtis Mayfield - New World Order (Official Music Video), RHINO

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41. He Called It Quits

Curtis knew what he had to do: say goodbye. He admitted to the press “I’ve been doing this since I was seven, professionally since I was 15. I turned 16 in the Apollo Theater. I’m a fighter but it’s best at this point to go on and retire and be appreciated for whatever you have done”.  But Curtis found no peace in retirement.

Gettyimages  -74699279, The 35th Annual GRAMMY Awards Curtis Mayfield at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaKMazur, Getty Images

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42. He Had A Feud

Curtis and his son Todd Mayfield had a complicated, but always loving relationship. That is, until their worst and final fight. Eventually, Todd wanted nothing to do with his dad. They made up six months later—but Todd had a bittersweet feeling about it. Todd suspected that his dad knew he didn’t have long to live. He was right.

  Getty Images - 1313936905, Rhythm And Blues Foundation Presents 1990 1991 Pioneer Awards NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 1991: Musician Phil Collins (Philip David Charles Collins LVO) poses for photos with Todd Mayfield, son of Curtis Mayfield during the 1990 1991 R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards at Tatou in New York, New York in November 1991. Raymond Boyd, Getty Images

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43. He Refused Treatment

His best days were well behind him. In 1998, doctors amputated his right leg below the knee due to diabetes complications. One of the only positive moments was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducting Curtis again in 1999. The first time was with The Impressions. The second was as a solo artist. Then diabetes really struck and ruined everything.

Gettyimages - 51042932, Curtis Mayfield At The Soul Train Awards In The Shrine Auditorium In Los Angeles Califor E296193-78:Curtis Mayfield At The Soul Train Awards In The Shrine Auditorium In Los Angeles, California March 7,1997. Barry King, Getty Images

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44. He Said Goodbye

Instead of going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, Curtis went to the hospital. There, doctors prepared to amputate his other leg. But Curtis had enough and refused. He soon “faded quickly, one foot on Earth, one in the hereafter”. Everything came to a head days before Christmas. Curtis knew that his time was running out.

Gettyimages - 84311930, The 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards Curtis MayfieldKMazur, Getty Images

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45. He Passed

On December 22, 1999 Curtis fell into a coma and never woke up. Four days later, Curtis passed. The 57-year-old was survived by: a wife, several partners, 10 kids, 7 grandkids, 2 sisters, and a brother. Curtis left behind a musical legacy that is undisputed. The family he left behind, on the other hand, is more complicated. Todd revealed that he learned about his dad’s passing on the radio. Trouble was already brewing in this family.

Gettyimages - 463003231, Curtis Mayfield 1990 Curtis Mayfield, vocal, performs at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 1st April 1990.Frans Schellekens, Getty Images

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46. He Left Behind A Mess

Todd lamented “Dad was the rock, the glue that kept us all more or less together. Now he was gone”. Todd knew that more money meant more problems. And that his dad’s estate was worth a lot of it. He grieved while preparing to fight. Todd’s worst fears came true, and fighting soon took over the family. But he was destined for more than family squabbles. 

Gettyimages - 1138122, 11/5/95. LOS ANGELES, CA. CURTIS MAYFIELD AT THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 11/5/95. LOS ANGELES, CA. CURTIS MAYFIELD AT THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDSDenny Keeler, Getty Images

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47. He Was Memorialized

Many people told Curtis Mayfield’s story—but he was so private that few outsiders did it well. His son Todd wasn’t impressed with what he saw. In 2017, he decided to do it himself and released Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield. Todd could’ve written a fluff piece to make his dad and family look better. He refused to.

Gettyimages - 517724642, Curtis Mayfield Performing (Original Caption) Singing star Curtis Mayfield, closeup, performing. November 24, 1972. Bettmann, Getty Images

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48. He Was Exposed

Todd declared “the world deserves to know the real Curtis Mayfield”—and he showed us. A lot of what we know about Curtis, especially the complicated parts, came from Traveling Souls. Todd explained that Curtis told the truth, more than any other artist of that era, in his music. So he did the same in his writing. The world already knew the music, but now they met the man. And he turned out to be as brilliant and complicated as his songs.

  Gettyimages - 90419033, Curtis Mayfield At Studio 54 NEW YORK: Curtis Mayfield posed inside Studio 54 Club in New York in 1977 Richard E. Aaron, Getty Images

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49. He’s Still Underrated

When H.E.R. won an Oscar in 2021, she thanked her biggest influences. This included Curtis Mayfield. But you would’ve never known it based on headlines since the press cut out his name. This snub made H.E.R. realize that something was wrong with his legacy. People remember Curtis as a big artist, but not as a giant. She had to make this right.

Gettyimages - 1314442817, 93rd Annual Academy Awards - Press Room LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: H.E.R., winner of Best Original Song for Pool, Getty Images

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50. He’s Influential

H.E.R. hated that Curtis “is one of the greatest of all time,” but most “people don’t even know”. In response, she released the documentary The Making of Curtis Mayfield in 2025. She had deep conversations with stars like Dr. Dre and Mary J. Blige. H.E.R. set out to prove that Curtis influenced genres like R&B and hip hop, along with some of its top artists.

'The Makings of Curtis Mayfield': Curtis Mayfield’s Legacy Through the Eyes of H.E.R., Deadline Hollywood'The Makings of Curtis Mayfield': Curtis Mayfield’s Legacy Through the Eyes of H.E.R., Deadline Hollywood

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