Today in Music History: Peaches & Herb hit #1 with “Reunited”
May 5, 1979 – Peaches & Herb’s “Reunited” hits #1 They were “The Sweethearts Of Soul” in the 1960s, but it was a decade and half later, with a different lineup, that Peaches & Herb finally made it to #1 with what became the duo’s signature song. Herb Fame worked in a Washington D.C. record […]
Today in Music History (April 2, 1996): Maxwell arrives, and changes everything
April 2, 1996 – Maxwell’s releases his debut album, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Arguably the most celebrated new Soul Music artist to emerge in the mid-90s, Maxwell arose as a curious combination of romanticism and sexuality, of spirituality and sensuality, much like Marvin Gaye a generation earlier. His studio albums and one live album were huge […]
On This Day in 1983: World, meet Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
March 28, 1983 – “Just Be Good To Me” becomes Jam & Lewis’s first hit production They are one of the greatest writing and production teams in soul music history, and all that greatness came together on the day they were fired by Prince. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis first hit the national music scene […]
Today in Music History: Thelma Houston releases a dance classic
December 2, 1976: Thelma Houston releases the #1 hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way” A strong-voiced soul singer who has been as comfortable on the silver screen as in the recording studio, Thelma Houston will forever be best known for a hit that took her right to the top of the charts. The daughter of a cotton […]
Today in Music History (Dec. 21): The Temptations release “My Girl”
December 21, 1964 – The Temptations release the single “My Girl” When it comes to R&B legends, they don’t get much bigger than The Temptations. The signature male vocal group of Motown, the Temptin’ Tempts have stayed relevant for more than 60 years, with countless hits and an influence that has extended to vocal groups […]
Today in Music History (May 2): Next rockets to #1 with “Too Close”
May 2, 1998 Next hits #1 with “Too Close” The story of the trio Next follows the trajectory of many memorable R&B groups of the last half century, but the scope and speed of the group’s rise and, ultimately, its fall, is more shocking than most. Formed by brothers Terry “T-Low” Brown and Raphael “Tweet” […]
Today in Music History (June 30, 1978): The world meets Atlantic Starr
June 30, 1978 – Atlantic Starr releases its debut album It’s been more than four decades since they first hit the charts, and they’ve been doing their thing ever since. While never achieving supergroup status, Atlantic Starr was one of the most consistently successful – and underrated – soul bands of the 80s and early […]
Today in Soul Music History (March 28): World, meet Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
March 28, 1983 – “Just Be Good To Me” becomes Jam & Lewis’s first hit production They are one of the greatest writing and production teams in soul music history, and all that greatness came together on the day they were fired by Prince. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis first hit the national music scene […]
Today In Music History (June 7): New Edition made us sweat with “If It Isn’t Love”
June 7, 1988 – New Edition releases “If It Isn’t Love” They had been through tribulations, personnel changes, and the always difficult transition from child musical stars to grown men in the business, but New Edition handled every challenge, sometimes in painful ways, even as they moved forward with their craft. One can argue as to when […]
Today in Music History (February 1): “Soul Train” leader Don Cornelius dies
February 1, 2012 – Soul Train’s Don Cornelius Dies He was a young man from Chicago with a big dream, and he changed the world. Don Cornelius was much more than a television host. He was a visionary businessman who opened the world to a celebration of “Black Joy” on television as few had seen before, […]
