Musician & Classic R&B Singer Michael Henderson Dead at 71

0 Posted by - July 20, 2022 - Gone But Not Forgotten, LATEST POSTS

By Victor Trammell

Photo credits: Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Michael Henderson, an R&B vocalist best recognized for the singing he did on the legendary love song “You Are My Starship,” has passed away at 71 years of age.  Early in July, the renowned bass guitarist was sent to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta with an unexplained ailment.

On July 19, 2022, Henderson’s death was announced on his public Facebook page. Henderson’s page has a post, which conveys the following message:

Singer, Songwriter, Bass Innovator, Music Producer, Father, and Son Michael Henderson has peacefully made his transition surrounded by family and loved ones today at his home, in Atlanta, Georgia. Bless his heart and soul.He touched the lives of many and returned that love through his many live concerts, music recordings, social media, interviews, and incessant touring which he loved.

Henderson, who was born on July 7, 1951, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, was reared in Detroit before becoming well-known to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Dramatics, and other stellar performers who have made Black music history.

Henderson’s vocals were heard on Norman Connors’ “Valentine Love” and the famous R&B hit “You Are My Starship,” as well as on various Miles Davis recordings where he played bass. A number of solo albums were also issued by him, starting with 1976’s Gold. According to Stereogum, his final album was 1986’s Bedtime Stories.

In response to Henderson’s passing away, fellow bassist and legendary member of Parliament-Funkadelic Bootsy Collins, as well as Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites sent their condolences on his social media sites.

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