Cyril Neville
Grammy award recipient New Orleans’ Neville Brother, Cyril Neville, has been called a philosopher, poet and one of the last great southern soul singers. In 1970 he released his debut solo single, “Gossip” backed with “Tell Me What’s On Your Mind,” songs as written and produced by Leo Nocentelli, which was recorded with brother, Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste.
In 1975, The Rolling Stones invited The Meters, including Cyril, to support the band’s world tour. Cyril has co-written songs with Bono of U2, Taj Mahal, Tree Adams, Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint to name a few and was the one that Lanois credits as the musical catalyst that led to the Neville’s Grammy award winning record “Yellow Moon.” He’s featured on recordings by Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Dr. John, Tab Benoit, Edie Brickell plus many, many more.
Cyril’s international performances include the infamous Amnesty International Tour with U2, The Police, Fela Kuti and was profoundly honored to sing for the Nobel Peace Prize Winner and former, first black president of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
There is no doubt that within the first few vocal notes it is easy to hear that musical royalty runs deep in Cyril’s blood and he remains a percussionist and a drummer to be reckoned with.
In 2017, The Neville Brothers received the 2017 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Inductee award. On July 14, 2018 he received the Recording Academy’s, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award along with The Meters. Touring is in the near future for Cyril with his new album and a surprise endeavor, Orchestras. He is a force of charisma, dignity and fire to be reckoned with and once he hits the stage, his vocals are chillingly perfection and paralleled to none. Simply put, musical legendary greatness is Cyril. “Uptown Ruler” Neville. And he ain’t stopping no time soon…stay tuned.