Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974) was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist, best known for his hit recording, "Since I Met You, Baby" (1956). Billed as The Baron of the Boogie, he was also known as The Happiest Man Alive.
He was christened Ivory Joe as an infant; "Ivory Joe Hunter" is therefore not a nickname or a stage name, but the artist's real birth name.
Hunter's "Empty Arms" and "Yes, I Want You" also made the pop charts, and he had a minor hit with "City Lights" in 1959, just before his popularity began to decline. Hunter came back as a country singer in the late 1960s, making regular Grand Ole Opry appearances and recording an album titled I've Always Been Country
During the 1950s, white artists recorded covers of top R&B tunes. In 1956, when Pat Boone recorded Hunter's smash 1950 R&B hit, "I Almost Lost My Mind", it became a number one hit. Country singer Sonny James issued a version of "Since I Met You, Baby" and it topped the country charts in 1969, paving the way for Hunter's album The Return of Ivory Joe Hunter and his appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Jerry Lee Lewis covered "Since I Met You, Baby" in 1969 as well.
Hunter was a prolific songwriter, and some estimate he wrote more than 7,000 songs. Among those songs are two that Presley put in the top 20: "My Wish Came True" and "Ain't That Loving You, Baby". Elvis also recorded "I Need You So", "It's Still Here", and "I Will Be True".
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