In 1972 , Davis released one of his most creative albums , entitled On the Corner . Because of his newfound interest in fusing other genres of music with jazz , he collaborated with the highly regarded avant-garde composer Karlheinz Stockhausen to produce the tracks . His motivation behind this unique sound was to grab the attention of the young black audience who preferred rock , soul , and funk over what they considered old-fashioned jazz . Upon its release , On the Corner proved to be a failure ; however , as the years have passed , critics considered it a very bold and creative project on Davis ’ s part . Jazz purists saw the album as another attempt by Davis to please the white man . This harsh criticism caused the album to be hailed as the “ most vilified album and controversial album in the history of jazz .” Shortly after performing his set at the New York City Music Festival in 1975 , Davis dropped out of the music scene and the public eye . From 1976 until 1981 , the musician isolated himself in his Manhattan brownstone , causing wild speculations regarding his health . Rolling Stone magazine went so far as to write a piece on the trumpeter ’ s health , stating that they feared he was on his death bed . Fans began sitting vigil , with some amateur investigators rifling through his garbage for clues as to his well-being . The truth was , Davis was in ill-health ; however , on his death bed was quite a stretch . After the festival , he underwent surgery for an artificial hip transplant which led to a painful infection that required months of treatment . In addition , he had another polyp surgery , gallbladder issues , a bleeding ulcer , pneumonia , and chronic insomnia .
Aside from all of his health issues , Davis was also overwhelmed with legal battles during that time . While collaborating with five other artists , he arranged for Columbia Records producer Teo Macero to secretly record the session without the other musicians knowing . Upon discovering this betrayal , his potential bandmates walked away from his o er . At the same time , Marguerite Eskridge had him arrested for neglecting to pay child support for their son Erin . Davis was only released once he paid her the $ 10,000 he owed . By 1979 , Davis turned to the only person he knew who could help him find his passion again . He and actress Cicely Tyson married in 1981
. With her by his side , the trumpeter was able to overcome his cocaine addiction and get back to work . Just one year into their marriage , Davis relapsed and went on a bender while Tyson was on location in Africa . Because of the copious amounts of alcohol he ingested , the musician su ered a stroke that temporarily paralyzed his right hand . Of course , Tyson rushed home to care for her husband despite his reckless choices . The actress convinced Davis to see an acupuncturist , and after three months of treatment , he regained the mobility in his hand . Tyson also helped him with physical therapy and encouraged him to play piano and draw , all of which strengthened his fingers so he could play the trumpet once again . Though Tyson loved and cared for Davis the best she could , by 1988 , she was done with their tumultuous marriage . Their divorce was finalized in 1989 . While married to Cicely Tyson , Davis seemed to embrace projects outside of his norm . He and a number of other musicians rallied for a cause when they collaborated on the 1985 single Sun City . The song itself was in protest of apartheid and President Reagan ’ s support of the South African government despite its continued institutionalized racism . Though the radio stations steered clear of the controversial song , the single raised “ more than $ 1 million for antiapartheid projects ."
In 1986 , Davis agreed to compose the soundtrack for the film Street Smart that was to be released the following year . Though the movie failed at the box o ce , actor Morgan Freeman gained an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the sinister pimp in the film .
In 1989 , Davis shocked the audience in Madrid when he collapsed on-stage after playing a two-hour set . Once an announcement was made that the remainder of the European tour would be canceled , an edition of Star magazine claimed that the musician was su ering from AIDS . Though Davis ’ s manager released a statement the following day stating the trumpeter only had a mild case of pneumonia , another source claimed that Davis was prescribed azidothymidine , otherwise known as AZT , the primary pharmaceutical for the treatment of AIDS .
Flashmag ! Issue 143 August 2023
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