Paul Cotton
Paul Cotton | |
---|---|
Fort Rucker, Alabama, US | |
Died | July 31, 2021 near Eugene, Oregon, US | (aged 78)
Genres | Rock, country rock, country, pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1968–2021 |
Labels | Columbia, Epic |
Norman Paul Cotton (February 26, 1943 – July 31, 2021) was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter. He was a member of the band Poco and the writer of their international hit song "Heart of the Night". Before that, he was co-guitarist for the Illinois Speed Press.
Early life
Cotton was born in
Career
Cotton joined Poco in 1970, replacing Jim Messina.[1][2] Most of Cotton's music career was as songwriter, lead guitarist and lead singer for the group. He said in a September 2000 interview with Sound Waves magazine, "I'm just drawn to the South. Hey, I spent 25 winters in Chicago."[3] Cotton's best known song with Poco is "Heart of the Night", which was a major hit from the band's Legend album, released in 1978; the song is an evocation of the night life of the city of New Orleans.[3]
Cotton's experiences in New Orleans had been the basis for a previous composition, "Down in the Quarter", featured on the 1975 Poco album
Later life
Cotton moved to
Cotton died at his summer home near Eugene, Oregon on July 31, 2021, at the age of 78.[11][12]
Solo discography
- 1990 Changing Horses (Curb)[13]
- 2001 Firebird[13]
- 2004 When the Coast Is Clear[13]
- 2007 Sunset Kidd[13]
- 2014 100% Paul Cotton[13]
References
- ^ a b c Eder, Bruce. "Paul Cotton – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. July 19, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Paul Cotton by Mark T. Gould". Swaves.com. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ a b Montgomery, Bucky (December 1, 2016). "Music Scene – The Legendary Paul Cotton". Florida Weekly. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Poco". The Daily Gazette. No. July 18, 2002. p. 46.
- ^ "Break of Hearts: Poco – Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Heart of the Night: Poco – Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Barbados: Poco – Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "Poco – Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Friedlander, Matt (August 2, 2021). "Longtime Poco singer/guitarist Paul Cotton dead at age 78". WCMY. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Friedlander, Matt. "Longtime Poco singer/guitarist Paul Cotton dead at age 78". 1430wcmy.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (August 6, 2021). "Paul Cotton, Mainstay of the Country-Rock Band Poco, Dies at 78". The New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Paul Cotton – Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
External links
- Paul Cotton Website
- Paul Cotton discography at Discogs