Joe Greene (American singer)

Joe Greene is an American gospel and soul singer and songwriter. A male soprano, he was especially active in the late 1960s and the 1970s as a backing vocalist for rock artists seeking to achieve a more polished vocal performance on their recordings.[1] As a songwriter during that time, he frequently collaborated with Billy Preston, co-writing the latter's Grammy-winning 1972 hit "Outa-Space" and other songs.[2]

Among the many artists whose recordings Greene appeared on are Quincy Jones, the Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr[1] and Harry Nilsson.[3] According to AllMusic, together with singers such as Vanetta Field and Clydie King, Greene was "on the 'A' list" of studio backing vocalists in the U.S.[1] He was also one of the singers in "The Soul Choir" that accompanied George Harrison, Starr, Preston and Leon Russell at the Concert for Bangladesh in August 1971.[4]

Greene co-wrote the song "Let the Music Play" on Preston's 1970 album for Apple Records, Encouraging Words.[5] In June 1971, he signed a songwriting deal with Preston's publishing company, WEP Music, whereby he would receive 35 per cent of the company's net profits. Two years later, Greene sued Preston and WEP for $500,000, claiming he had been paid nothing for hits such as "Outa-Space".[6] He continued to work with Preston, including co-writing the title track to the artist's 1979 album Late at Night and singing on the album.[7]

In the ensuing decades, Greene withdrew from rock music and focused on gospel and choral projects.[1]