Mark James, the legendary tunesmith behind Elvis Presley’s iconic hit Suspicious Minds and the co-writer of Always on My Mind, has passed away at the age of 83.
The Grammy-winning maestro, who was immortalised with an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, died in Nashville on June 8.
In a heartfelt tribute, his family expressed: “Mark’s legacy and zest for life will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and through his timeless lyrics and melodies that have been the soundtrack of lovers for generations.”
They added poignantly: “He was a captivating storyteller who had the sweetest smile, the most infectious laugh and a twinkle in his eye that never dimmed.”
While Mark is universally celebrated for penning Suspicious Minds, he originally released the track in 1968, hoping to ignite his own singing career.
It was only when the King of Rock and Roll propelled the song to chart-topping success that it achieved legendary status.
Recounting the emotional genesis of the song’s lyrics, Mark told the Wall Street Journal in 2012: “Late one night, fooling around on my Fender guitar and using my Hammond organ pedals for a bass line, I came up with a catchy melody.
“I was married to my first wife then but still had feelings for my childhood sweetheart, who was married back in Houston.
“My wife suspected I had those feelings, so it was a confusing time for me.
“I felt as though all three of us were all caught in this trap that we couldn’t walk out of.”
Elvis’ last-ever chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100 was celebrated by this iconic song.
The track’s enduring legacy earned it a prestigious Grammy Hall of Fame induction in 1999.
Songster Mark reflected fondly on how the King of Rock and Roll would always ask about new tunes from him.
He shared: “In the years that followed, whenever I saw Elvis, he’d cross the room just to say hello to me no matter who was with him. After he died, I heard he’d always asked the guys in the studio, ‘Did Mark send me any more songs? ‘ Golly, I wish I had known that.”
Mark, born Francis Zambon, chose a new moniker after receiving advice suggesting his birth name wouldn’t sail smoothly in the music industry.
Among other accomplishments, Mark penned The Eyes Of A New York Woman and Hooked On A Feeling for BJ Thomas’ album On My Way, with Thomas being fondly recalled for the ageless hit Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.
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