John Henry "Ace" Cannon, Jr., was one of Memphis' great instrumental hit makers, a session man at Sun and a awesome saxophonist from Hi Records. Ace Cannon died at his home in Calhoun City, Mississippi, on Thursday morning. He was 84.

He graduated from Memphis Tech High School in 1952

He was known as “The Godfather of the Sax,” Cannon cut 38 singles and 27 albums for South Memphis’ Hi label during the 1960s and 1970s. With hits like “Tuff" and “Blues (Stay Away From Me).”

He was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Soul Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2000.
The Mississippi Music Hall of Fame added him in 2007.

“He was one of Memphis’ premiere horn players. He had a sound that was unmatched in music when you think about it. He was rock 'n' roll saxophone,” said Boo Mitchell, owner of Royal Studios, the historic home of Hi Records.

Ace, who recorded for Hi for nearly two decades was a bridge between the label’s early rock 'n' roll roots and its later soul music glory years. “His legacy here speaks volumes to how important he was,” Mitchell said.