Alabama singer who gave iconic studio early hit has died: ‘Will never be forgotten’
Jimmy Hughes' 1964 classic "Steal Away" was one of FAME Studios' first hits.
Liam Carter 
The music world is mourning the loss of Jimmy Hughes, a foundational figure in the development of the Muscle Shoals Sound. The iconic Alabama singer, best known for his 1964 R&B smash "Steal Away," passed away Wednesday at his home in Leighton, Alabama, at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by Thompson and Sons Funeral Home.
A Legacy Forged in Muscle Shoals
Recorded in just a single take at the legendary FAME Studios, "Steal Away" stands as a hallmark of early Muscle Shoals history. FAME Studios released a heartfelt tribute on Thursday, stating, "Jimmy’s contributions to American music and the legacy of FAME will never be forgotten." While Arthur Alexander’s "You Better Move On" brought initial attention to the region, it was Hughes who truly solidified the soulful, timeless sound that would eventually define the studio’s global reputation.
From Leighton to the World Stage
Born and raised in the small town of Leighton, Hughes launched his career as part of the gospel group the Singing Clouds. He was the cousin of fellow Muscle Shoals icon Percy Sledge. Hughes famously adapted the gospel standard "Steal Away Jesus" into the cheating ballad that catapulted him to fame while he was still working a day job at a rubber plant.
Rick Hall, the late FAME producer who passed away in 2018, once lauded Hughes' singular talent. According to the University of North Alabama’s Music Trail, Hall remarked that Hughes possessed a "unique and sensational high tenor voice" that allowed him to convey emotion in a way that few others could match. His hit song was eventually covered by an array of legendary artists, including Etta James, Clarence Carter, Bobbie Gentry, and Frank Zappa.
Life After the Spotlight
By the early 1970s, weary of the industry's demands, Hughes retired from music to work in nuclear power plant manufacturing. Though he stepped away from the stage, he remained a pillar of his local community. Tributes have poured in from his hometown, with the Leighton Museum, the Town of Leighton, and the Leighton Police Department all remembering him as a "Leighton Legend" whose optimism and kindness left a lasting mark on those who knew him.
