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Born into dire poverty and raised in the projects of Chicago, Curtis Mayfield went on to become a musical prodigy and an iconic voice of the 1960s civil rights era, with hits like “People Get Ready” and “Keep On Pushing.” Yet, no great biography has ever been written about the musician until now. We are proud to publish Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield next month. The biography is written by Curtis’s son Todd Mayfield, along with music journalist Travis Atria. We asked Todd a few questions about what it was like to write the definitive book on his father.
You paint a vivid picture of your family history in the first few chapters of the book. How did you gather those stories and why was it important to you to include that background context for your father’s life?
We gathered those stories mostly through interviews with family members on my father’s side and supplemented them through researching previously published interviews. I felt it was important to paint as complete a picture as possible of the people and events that heavily influenced his life and music. My great grandmother Annabelle and my grandmother Marion were obvious influences but there were others. I approached this as not only a story about Curtis Mayfield but also of a family. It’s part of our story as well.
Your dad was a famously private person (which may be a reason no previous biography has done him justice). What does it mean to you to now be sharing this intimate look at your father’s life, weaknesses and all?
Curtis and Todd, 1968. Author’s collection
It was a hard decision, and there were several anxious family members who wondered exactly what I would write. My father maintained a good public image but was a fairly complex person. I felt that if I was to pursue writing an excellent biography, I needed to tell as complete a story as possible, as I knew it. There are probably a few things that may be considered controversial but I think the work is balanced and comes from a good place in my heart. The truth also lends more credibility and makes it more interesting to read. It’s the truth as I know it.
Chicago is featured prominently in your dad’s life story—from his home in Cabrini-Green, to listening to Herb Kent on the radio, to appearing on Soul Train when it was still produced here. Given the mix of good and bad that Chicago exposed him to, what was Curtis’s general attitude toward the city?
He loved the city. It was his home for the majority of his life. He felt it was a great town to grow up in because the things you see and experience every day build a kind of inner strength. He also loved his second home of Atlanta, which was more rural and allowed for him to have lots of personal space, which he enjoyed.
Curtis’s lyrics carried such formative and perceptive messages that went on to influence 
so many musicians. Whose music would you say displays the clearest influence, or homage, to his legacy?
There are many but I would say some of the more iconic artists that he heavily influenced would be Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and Lenny Kravitz.
What was it like accompanying him to the 1994 Grammys and seeing him receive the Legend Award?
It was a very proud moment to see him recognized in that way. To see many industry titans, both artists and executives, pay him so much respect helps validate the fact that he did have a remarkable career and influenced so many people of different backgrounds.
What artists today do you think your dad would greatly admire if he were still here?
That is difficult to say, but I know that he would admire many singer-songwriters like Alicia Keys, Babyface, Lenny Kravitz, and possibly young guys on the hip-hop side like Drake, who has sampled several of my father’s songs.
Do you have a favorite song of your dad’s?
No, I don’t. Too many to choose from to select one. Some of my favorites are “People Get Ready,” “The Makings of You,” “Right On for the Darkness,” and most all of the Super Fly soundtrack.
Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield by Todd Mayfield, with Travis Atria, officially publishes October 1, 2016. It is available wherever books and e-books are sold.
Book Excerpt: Curtis Mayfield’s Tragic Accident [Rolling Stone]
Midday Fix: Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield author Todd Mayfield [WGN-TV]
A Deep Dive into the Life of the Great Curtis Mayfield [Chicago Tribune]
“This book is super fly; people get ready.” –Library Journal
“This is an affectionate portrait and a fascinating, balanced account of a tormented soul.” –Publishers Weekly
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