A Valley-born music legend passes on

Lincoln Wayne “Chips” Moman of LaGrange was one of those people whose name doesn’t often pop up in casual conversation about music legends. But his is a name well known and respected among those legends themselves.

Moman, a musician, songwriter and music producer born in LaGrange in 1937, died there Monday. For most of the 79 years in between he lived and worked in Memphis, where as head of American Sound Studio (and frequently a session musician) he put together a mostly behind-the-scenes musical career that underpinned the legendary greatness of others — among them Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and, most notably, Elvis Presley. “Suspicious Minds” and “Kentucky Rain” were among the iconic Presley classics produced and recorded by Chips Moman.

He also worked with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Billy Joe Royal, Tammy Wynette, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison.

Chips Moman is said to have gotten his nickname as a result of his skill at the poker table. This son of LaGrange textile workers obviously bet on a lot of winners.

This story was originally published June 18, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "A Valley-born music legend passes on."