Soulful saxophonist behind the 1968 instrumental hit "The Horse," a classic groove that's been sampled and covered numerous times. Known for his smooth, funky sound that's still widely enjoyed today.
Cliff Nobles, the American soul singer, is best known for his instrumental masterpiece, "The Horse", which galloped its way to the top of the charts in 1968, peaking at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This chart-topping hit, featuring the horn section from what would later be known as MFSB, was simply an instrumental version of the A-side, and remarkably, Nobles himself did not play on the track.
Clifford James Nobles was born on August 4, 1941, in Grove Hill, Alabama, and grew up in Mobile, Alabama.
His love for music began in high school, where he sang as a member of a local group, The Delroys.
Nobles moved to Philadelphia and recorded three singles for Atlantic Records, although none of them charted.
It was during his time living in a commune in Norristown, Pennsylvania, that he formed a group, Cliff Nobles & Co., with bassist Benny Williams, guitarist Bobby Tucker, and drummer Robert Marshall.
With the help of songwriter and record producer Jesse James, they landed a recording contract with Phil-L.A. of Soul Records.
Their second release for the record label was the single "Love Is All Right" b/w "The Horse", which caught fire at radio stations and became a massive hit.
Within three months of release, "The Horse" sold a million copies, earning a gold disc award from the R.I.A.A. in August 1968.
The song's success was not limited to the U.S., as it reached number 7 on the Canadian charts.
An album credited to Cliff Nobles & Co., entitled "The Horse", was released, consisting mostly of instrumentals, and hit number 159 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart.
In Canada, two further singles made the Top 100, with "Horse Fever" reaching number 94, and "Switch It On" reaching number 91.
After his music career, Nobles went on to work in various capacities, but his legacy as the mastermind behind "The Horse" remained unparalleled.
Cliff Nobles may have passed away on October 12, 2008, but his soulful contribution to the music world continues to inspire generations of music lovers.
In conclusion, Cliff Nobles' life was a testament to the power of music, and his iconic hit "The Horse" remains an integral part of soul music history.
Born in 1920
The "Godfather of Soul" was a legendary musician and performer who revolutionized funk and soul music with his unique sound and energetic stage presence. He is most known for his iconic hits like "I Got You" and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag".
83 Years Old
A funk and soul music pioneer, known for blending psychedelic rock, gospel, and rhythm and blues to create a unique sound, and producing hits like "Dance to the Music" and "There's a Riot Goin' On".
