Jimmy Hughes, Jr

Jimmy Hughes, legendary rhythm and blues singer and one of the founding voices of the Muscle Shoals sound, departed this life peacefully on May 20th , 2026, in Leighton, AL. He was 88 years old.

Born on February 3, 1938, Jimmy Hughes was raised in Leighton, Alabama, where faith, family and music shaped his life from an early age. As a young man, he sang gospel music with the Singing Clouds, while still in high school, before transitioning into rhythm and blues, where his powerful and emotional voice would leave a permanent mark on Southern soul music.

In 1956, Jimmy graduated from Leighton training school and began working at a rubber plant. On December 31, 1960, he married Jerline Egson in Florence, Al and began his family life. In 1962 Jimmy auditioned for record producer Rick Hall at his FAME studios in Muscle Shoals. Hall was impressed and recorded Jimmy on a song, I’m Qualified, that Hall co- wrote along with Quin Ivy. In 1964, he recorded the timeless soul classic “Steal Away”, a song inspired by the gospel spiritual “Steal Away to Jesus”. The recording became a national hit and is widely recognized as one of the songs that helped establish the signature Muscle Shoals sound that would later influence generations of artists around the world.

Throughout his career, Jimmy recorded on several influential labels including FAME, Vee Jay, Atlantic, and Stax/Volt Records. He toured alongside legendary performers such as Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Womack, and many others. In later years, his contributions to soul music continued to receive recognition from historians, musicians, and devoted fans who celebrated his role in shaping Alabama’s rich musical heritage.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Hughes Sr.; mother, Emma Qualls; daughter, Debra Hughes; brothers, Leroy Qualls, Langston Hughes and Melvin Hughes; sisters, Bonnie Hughes, Larenca Boyd, Safrona Sharpless.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife Jerline Hughes, sons, Kerry Hughes, Jimmy Hughes III, Jeffrey Hughes and Bryant Hughes; sisters Mary Bowden, Vanessa Santiago; brother Reginald Hughes; grandchildren, Corey Hughes, Zanderia Hughes, Jaques Jones, Deshawn Jones, Alliya Hughes, six great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special friends; Eloise Brown Nicholson and Joseph Hogan.

Jimmy was a loving Granddad who always remembered his grandchildren on special
occasions.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jimmy Hughes, Jr, please visit our floral store.