Henry Bernard Glover (May 21, 1921 – April 7, 1991)[1] was an American songwriter, arranger, record producer and trumpet player. In the music industry of the time, Glover was one of the most successful and influential black executives. He gained eminence in the late 1940s, primarily working for the independent (and white-owned) King label. His duties included operating as a producer, arranger, songwriter (occasionally utilizing the alias of Henry Bernard), engineer, trumpet player, talent scout, A&R man, studio constructor, while later in his career he became the owner of his own label. Glover worked with country, blues, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz musicians, and he helped King Records to become one of the largest independent labels of its time.[2] Thanks to the efforts of family, friends and fans, Glover's hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2021 by inducting him into the downtown "Walk of Fame," the Mayor's "Proclamation," "Key to the City," and named a parklet "Henry Glover Way," along Black Broadway after him. In 2018, Glover was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the King Records 75th Anniversary. In 2013, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.[3]
Glover was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. As a youngster, he listened to various genres of music on local radio, and learned to play the trumpet. Following high school and college, he joined Buddy Johnson's big band in 1944, and Lucky Millinder's orchestra the following year. In the latter capacity Glover met Syd Nathan, who hired Glover as an A&R man at King Records. As well as A&R duties, Glover helped to construct King's first recording studio.[2]
Glover split with King Records in 1958, and joined the Roulette label. He subsequently worked with Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Sonny Stitt and Ronnie Hawkins. Glover also encouraged the latter's backing band, the Hawks, to pursue their own ambitions. Glover later organised the release of an early single of theirs, when they were billed as The Canadian Squires, prior to their becoming known as The Band.[2]
Glover died of a heart attack in April 1991, in St. Albans, New York, at the age of 69.[8] He was survived by his wife, Doris, and a son, Ware and two daughters, Sherry and Leslie.[9]
^ ab"Glover Named A.&R. Chief for Gee Label", Billboard Music Week, vol. 73, no. 15, p. 3, April 17, 1961, ISSN 0006-2510, retrieved January 30, 2013
^"The Nation's Top Tunes Honor Roll of Hits for the Week Ending July 9, 1961", Billboard Music Week, vol. 73, no. 26, p. 18, July 3, 1961, ISSN 0006-2510, retrieved January 30, 2013
^Shea, Tom (March 25, 2004), "Duo wants folks in WMass to bop to doo wop", The Republican, sec. News, p. B1
^Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1990 - 1991". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
^"Henry Glover, 69, Recording Official". The New York Times. April 13, 1991. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
^"The Early King Sessions: Little Willie John: Music". Amazon. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
^"Love, Life And Money: Johnny Winter: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
^"Love, Life and Money – Marianne Faithfull : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. August 22, 1995. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
^"Henry Glover | Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.