Don’s still Feelin’ it
The soul legend on the key to his success
Don Bryant, 78, and his wife Ann Peebles, 73, were right at the centre of the action when Hi Records was making soul music history in Memphis in the early 70s.
Overshadowed by the success of label star Al Green, Don’s solo career came to a halt as he became a major writer at the label. Bryant hit the jackpot when Peebles arrived and she and Don co-penned her classic smash hit I Can’t Stand The Rain.
“Ann and I were going to see Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland perform at the Mid-South Coliseum. When it started raining, we knew we were not going to be able to make it to the show. Someone said, ‘Oh, I can’t stand this rain!’ and instead of being sad about it, somebody said, ‘Hey, that sounds like a title for a song!’ And it has been a blessing.”
The year after the 1973 hit was released the pair married and have been together ever since.
“I’m just like everyone else, I was amazed with her voice,” Don says. “Working with her gave me the opportunity to be around her a lot. Being around her a lot, I learned a lot about her, her family and everything.
“Our love has just developed over the years and I am thankful for that.”
On Don’s brilliant brandnew album You Make Me Feel, the songs explore the triumphs and challenges of the couple’s relationship. These days it’s Don who is out in front after Peebles’ retirement following a stroke in 2012.
“Ann is doing OK. Her health is pretty good but I cannot remember the last time she performed. We still write songs together, come up with ideas and different things.”
Don’s solo career was reactivated by the release of the acclaimed Don’t Give Up on Love in 2017, and like You Make Me Feel, it features veteran Hi drum ace Howard Grimes. Soulful authenticity cannot be faked and Don is the real deal, among the last of a dying breed. A second wind for his solo career as he nears 80 can’t be bad.
“It feels good,” he smiles.
“I am excited about this new record. I have been writing for so long and I never stopped. I enjoy doing this and telling these stories. “I get inspiration from my past life. Sometimes one story can be told a whole lot of different ways.
“If the idea is there, there are always several approaches to it.
“From being around music all of my life and coming up with different writers, artists and their songs, I have learned how to do it.”
■ You Make Me Feel is out now
Me and Ann still write songs and come up with ideas together