Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, a guitarist best known for his work within the '70s "Memphis" soul sound and his contributions to the career of Al Green, has died resulting from complications of emphysema. He was 68 years old.
Hodges earned his nickname early during his music career. Although he began playing guitar in bands at the age of 12, his lack of height never improved and the "Teenie" moniker stuck. He played with his brothers in a band called the Impalas during the '60s but he joined up with Hi Rhythm, the house band for Willie Mitchell's Memphis Hi Records label, during 1965.
The biggest name to come out of Hi Records as a representative of the Memphis soul sound was easily Al Green. Behind nearly every hit maker is an army of songwriters and Hodges contributed to a number of Green's hits, including "Here I Am," "Full of Fire" and "Love and Happiness." His role as guitarist also landed him spots on such songs as Ann Peebles' "I Can't Stand The Rain."
Hodges remained relevant into the modern era, joining up with performers such as Cat Power and Drake (who is actually the performer's nephew).
Although recognizable across the industry for his behind-the-scenes contributions to music, Hodges finally gathered some spotlight during 2013 with the release of the documentary Mabon 'Teenie' Hodges: A Portrait of a Memphis Soul Original.
"Teenie was an icon as a songwriter and guitarist. Guitarists all around the world loved and imitated his playing. But Teenie...man, he was one of a kind," said Lawrence Mitchell, grandson of Willie. "It's a huge blow to Memphis music."
