Conley's Career:
Conley began his career in the early 1960s as a member of the gospel group the Gospel Clefs. In 1964, he was discovered by Otis Redding and signed to Stax Records. He released several singles with Stax, but it wasn't until 1967 that he had his breakthrough hit with "Sweet Soul Music".
"Sweet Soul Music" was an instant success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard R&B chart. The song became a staple of soul music and was covered by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.
Following the success of "Sweet Soul Music", Conley released several more singles with Stax, but none were able to match its commercial success. He left Stax in the early 1970s and recorded for several other labels, but he never again achieved the same level of success.
Later Career and Death:
In the 1980s, Conley recorded two gospel albums, "Touch Me" (1982) and "My Testimony" (1984). He continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and he released his final album, "That's What I'm Talkin' About", in 2003.
Conley died of colon cancer on November 17, 2003, at the age of 57.
Legacy:
Arthur Conley is remembered as one of the pioneers of southern soul music. His biggest hit, "Sweet Soul Music", remains a classic and is considered to be one of the most influential soul songs of all time. Conley's music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world, and his legacy as a gifted singer, songwriter, and guitarist lives on.