The Shirelles, an all-girl singing pop and rhythm and blues group that was active from 1956 to 1982, was the first African American female group to top any charts. They were formed in 1956 at New Jersey’s Passaic High School. Shirley Owens, Beverly Lee, Doris Kenner, and Addi “Mickey” Harris … Read MoreThe Shirelles (1956-1982)
Tammi Terrell is best known as one of Motown’s great talents although her short life was full of tragedy. Romantic and physically abusive relationships with James Brown and David Ruffin may have cut short a career that included many classic duets with Marvin Gaye. Brain cancer took her life only a month … Read MoreTammi Terrell (1945-1970)
Sam & Dave were the most successful black rhythm and blues duo of the 1960s although they performed into the early 1980s. Sam Moore, was born in Miami, Florida and Dave Prater, was born in Ocilla, Georgia. Both men sang in church while growing up. They performed separately in … Read MoreSam & Dave (1961-1981)
Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1955, the Spinners began as the Domingoes. The five African American founders were Henry Fambrough, Robert ‘Bobbie’ Smith, Robert “Steel” Smith, Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson. All of them attended Ferndale High School in Detroit. Although the group performed for six years, only in … Read MoreThe Spinners (1955- )
The Four Tops were a vocal quartet from Detroit, Michigan, composed of Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton, who were instrumental in defining Motown’s distinct sound during the 1960s. The quartet was one of the longest-lived lineups of the era; they went over 40 … Read MoreThe Four Tops (1953-2005)
R&B singer LaVern Baker was born Delores LaVern Evans in Chicago, Illinois on November 11, 1929. Baker was described as one of the most eccentric, beautiful divas of her time. Although her actual music career wouldn’t begin until 1949 she first began singing in Chicago as early as 1946 … Read MoreLaVern Baker (1929-1997)
Singer and entertainer Luther Vandross was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York on April 20, 1951. As a child he was influenced to seek a music career like his older sister, Patricia Van Dross, who was a member of an all-girl R&B group, The Crests, … Read MoreLuther Vandross (1951-2005)
One of the first boy bands, the Jackson 5 consisted of brothers from Gary, Indiana: Jackie (born Sigmund), Tito (born Toriano), Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. Though their youth and energetic sound made them seem like “bubblegum pop,” the boys played instruments, had vocal talent and practiced … Read MoreThe Jackson 5 (1965- )
The Clovers were a rhythm and blues and doo-wop group that gained fame in the 1950s with song hits like “Love Potion No.9.” The Clovers were formed in 1946 by Harold “Hal” Lucas at Armstrong High School in Washington D.C. The original members included Lucas, Thomas Woods, and Billy Shelton. … Read MoreThe Clovers (1946- )
The Moonglows were one of the early influential groups in rhythm and blues. Formed as a duo in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949 by Harvey Fuqua and Bobby Lester as the two friends returned from the U.S. Army, they were later joined by Ed Wiley. The trio began making what was then … Read MoreThe Moonglows (1949-1957)
