Not just a distinctive singer but a true vocal wonder, Al Hibbler featured with Duke Ellington's Orchestra throughout the 1940s and recorded a few hits ("Unchained Melody, " "After the Lights Go Down Low, " "He") on his own for Decca and Atlantic during the 1950s and '60s. His frequent use of a Cockney accent and non-subtle growling techniques kept listeners on their toes though, far from a novelty act, Hibbler's voice was strong, emotive and masculine, with a steady vibrato that carried every record he made.

Born blind in Mississippi, he began singing early on and sang soprano in the choir of a school for the blind after moving to Little Rock at the age of 12. Inspired by lush ballad singers like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo, Hibbler's voice soon deepened and he began singing the blues at area roadhouses. After winning a talent contest in Memphis, he joined Jay McShann and His Orchestra in 1942 and debuted with Duke Ellington's Orchestra just one year later, replacing Herb Jeffries. One of the most important singers Ellington ever showcased, Hibbler appeared on a range of Ellington standards including "Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear from Me, " "Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues, " "Don't Be So Mean to My Baby" and "I'm Just a Lucky So-And-So." He spent a total of eight years with Ellington's band, finally leaving in 1951 after Ellington refused to raise his salary by $50.

After quickly signing to Verve, Hibbler continued to record with excellent musicians (Harry Carney, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson) for his initial solo work, and in 1954 released an LP of old favorites entitled Al Hibbler Sings Duke Ellington. One year later, he signed a big contract with Decca and hit the pop charts in a big way with two million-selling singles, "Unchained Melody" and "He, " spotlighting his idiosyncratic (to say the least) delivery, which veered from growling vocals to a carefully studied, almost Cockney accent only occasionally enforced. In 1956, Hibbler hit the Top Ten again with "After the Lights Go Down Low, " but it proved to be his last hit.

By the late '50s, Hibbler had begun taking an interest in the civil-rights movement. While other major artists gave generously to the cause, Hibbler actually marched with protestors and was arrested twice, once in New Jersey in 1959 and again in Alabama in 1963 (after he led an anti-segregation protest). Though the major labels backed away from the potential controversy of owning his contract, Hibbler did gain support from an important source -- Frank Sinatra signed him to Reprise and released an LP, Monday Every Day, in 1961. Hibbler recorded very sparingly after that. He collaborated with Rahsaan Roland Kirk on a 1972 LP for Atlantic (A Meeting of the Times), but resurfaced only occasionally during the 1980s and '90s for recordings or special performances. -- John Bush, All Music Guide

LINKS TITLE YEAR Al Hibbler Sings Love Songs 1952 Al Hibbler Favorites 1953 Al Hibbler Sings Duke Ellington 1954 Melodies by Al Hibbler 1954 After the Lights Go Down Low 1956 Starring Al Hibbler 1956 Here's Hibbler 1957 Al Hibbler with the Ellingtonians 1957 Torchy and Blue 1958 Al Hibbler Remembers the Big Songs of The Big Bands 1958 I Surrender, Dear 1959 Monday Every Day: Al Hibbler Sings the Blues 1961 Early One Morning 1964 For Sentimental Reasons 1982 Christmas with Al Hibbler 1992 Solitude 1997 Best Of Al Hibbler 1998

1952 Al Hibbler Sings Love Songs

1953 Al Hibbler Favorites

1954 Al Hibbler Sings Duke Ellington

1954 Melodies by Al Hibbler

1956 After the Lights Go Down Low

1956 Starring Al Hibbler

1957 Here's Hibbler

1957 Al Hibbler with the Ellingtonians

1958 Torchy and Blue

1958 Al Hibbler Remembers the Big Songs of The Big Bands

1959 I Surrender, Dear

1961 Monday Every Day: Al Hibbler Sings the Blues

1964 Early One Morning

1982 For Sentimental Reasons

1992 Christmas with Al Hibbler

1997 Solitude

1998 Best Of Al Hibbler