On This Day in 1979: Bobby Caldwell releases his signature song, “What You Won’t Do For Love”
February 3, 1979 – Bobby Caldwell releases his signature song, “What You Won’t Do For Love” Bobby Caldwell was likely destined to be an entertainer. The son of Bob and R.H. Caldwell, longtime Florida-based singers and dancers who were also the hosts of an early TV variety show, Suppertime, he was raised in a world surrounded […]
On This Day in 2012: “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, […]
On This Day 40 Years Ago: The Commodores surprised the world with “Nightshift”
January 31, 1985 – The Commodores release the Grammy Award winning “Nightshift” Formed by a bunch of funk-loving friends at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute, The Commodores became one of the major crossover acts of the 70s and early 80s, with one monster hit after another. But when lead singer Lionel Richie left the group after 1982’s In the Pocket album, […]
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 […]
