Winfield Parker

Winfield Parker
Born
Winfield Albert Parker

(1942-06-21)June 21, 1942
Cooksville, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJanuary 18, 2021(2021-01-18) (aged 78)
Columbia, Maryland, U.S.
GenresSoul, R&B, gospel
OccupationsSinger, songwriter, saxophonist
Years active1960s–2010s
LabelsRu-Jac, Arctic, Wand, Spring, GSF, Little Star, P&L

Winfield Albert Parker (June 21, 1942 – January 18, 2021) was an American soul and gospel singer-songwriter and saxophonist based in Baltimore who was known for his 1971 R&B song "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)".

Early life

Winfield Parker was born on June 21, 1942, in Cooksville, Maryland. At the age of 16, he took up the saxophone.

Career

Parker began recording in the 1960s and performed on stage with artists such as Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Ike & Tina Turner.

In 1971, Parker released a cover of Edwin Starr's "S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)," which became his only nationally charting single, reaching number 48 on the Billboard R&B chart. He continued to perform soul music for the rest of his career, even after shifting focus to gospel music.

Personal life and legacy

In 2013, he received the Gold Mic Award from the Global Entertainment Media Association for his work on soul and gospel music.

Parker became an ordained minister in 1981. He died from complications of COVID-19 on January 18, 2021, at Gilchrist Center in Columbia, Maryland, at the age of 78.

Discography

Studio albums

Selected singles

Charted single

YearTitleChart (U.S. R&B)Peak position
1971"S.O.S. (Stop Her on Sight)"Billboard R&B48

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ "R.I.P. "S.O.S." singer Winfield Parker at 78". SoulTracks. January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Winfield Parker". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ "R.I.P. "S.O.S." singer Winfield Parker at 78". SoulTracks. January 22, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Winfield Parker". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  11. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ "About Winfield Parker". 17 December 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Winfield Parker". Omnivore Recordings. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Remembering the Late Winfield Parker". WTMD. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Maryland native Winfield Parker, versatile R&B musician who played with Little Richard and Otis Redding, dies". The Baltimore Sun. January 20, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  16. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4. Retrieved May 16, 2025.