On This Day in 1981: Lakeside shoots to #1 with “Fantastic Voyage”
January 25, 1981 – Lakeside hits #1 with “Fantastic Voyage” Another in the long line of talented funk acts to come out of Dayton, Ohio, Lakeside was formed around 1970 by members of two local groups, the Nomads and the Young Undergrounds. The group, consisting of members Otis Stokes, Thomas Shelby, Steve Shockley, Mark Wood, […]
On This Day 50 Years Ago: Minnie Riperton releases her signature song “Lovin’ You”
January 18, 1975 – Minnie Riperton releases “Lovin’ You” She was a perfectly angelic singer who left the earth far too soon, but on this day in 1975, the incredible Minnie Riperton displayed her five-octave soprano voice on what would become her signature song, the lovely “Lovin’ You.” Written by Riperton and her husband, producer […]
On This Day in 1974: The music world discovers Tavares
January 15, 1974 – Tavares releases debut album, Check It Out When asked to name the Soul Music supergroups of the ’70s and early ’80s, folks tend to gravitate to familiar names such as Earth, Wind and Fire, the Spinners, the Commodores and the Isley Brothers. However, five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts – Ralph, Tiny, Chubby, Butch and Pooch […]
On This Day in 2010: The legendary Teddy Pendergrass dies
January 13, 2010: Teddy Pendergrass dies Today we commemorate the anniversary of the death of legendary soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, who died on January 13, 2010, from complications related to colon cancer. As the lead singer of the vocal group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and later as a solo artist, Teddy Pendergrass established himself […]
On This Day in 1976: George Benson creates a revolution with “Breezin'”
January 6, 1976 – George Benson records Breezin’ In a recording career that has spanned six decades, George Benson has proven himself one of the most influential and versatile performers in popular music. But after fourteen albums that attracted almost exclusively a jazz audience, it was his January 6-8, 1976 recording of Breezin’ that turned him […]
On This Day in 1977: Rose Royce hits #1 with “Car Wash”
January 1, 1977 – Rose Royce has its first and biggest hit As a principal vehicle for former Motown hitmaker Norman Whitfield’s engaging compositions, Rose Royce ascended to the top of the Soul Music world with a string of great hits and a tight, full sound that rivaled many of the best self-contained soul and […]
December 27, 1975: The Staple Singers Hit #1 with ‘Let’s Do It Again’ – A Gospel & Soul Milestone
December 27, 1975 – The Staple Singers top the charts with “Let’s Do It Again” Bridging the lines between soul, R&B and gospel, the family act known as The Staple Singers were one of the most iconic groups of the 1960s and 70s, with a string of hits that are still revered today, and perhaps […]
On This Day 60 years ago: The Temptations release the milestone song “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 (Dec 10, 1967): We lost the great Otis Redding
December 10, 1967: Otis Redding dies in plane crash It is incredible to think that more a half century has passed since one of the greatest tragedies to hit the world of soul music, but it was on this day in 1967 that the legendary Otis Redding died in a tragic plane crash, along with […]
Today In Soul Music History: Donny Hathaway releases iconic “This Christmas”
December 9, 1970 – Donny Hathaway releases “This Christmas“ It may be the most popular soul music Christmas song ever. Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” has become a radio staple and has been remade by artists over the years for a good reason: it really is a great Christmas song. And there is no one who […]
