Rhythm and Blues singer Anita Ward was born on December 20, 1956, in Memphis, Tennessee, to James L. Ward, and Juanita Ward. The oldest child, Anita, had four siblings, Cassandra Ward Hibbler, Michael Ward, Entrée Ward, and James L. Ward, Jr. Ward began singing early … Read MoreAnita Ward (1956- )
The Philadelphia Sound was created by Kenneth (Kenny) Gamble and Leon A. Huff. Gamble, a composer, lyricist, and vocalist, was born on August 11, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Huff, a pianist, composer, vocalist, and percussionist, was born in the neighboring city of Camden, New Jersey … Read MoreGamble and Huff for Philadelphia International (1967-1984)
Rockwell, who goes by the selected stage name to avoid charges of nepotism, was born Kennedy William Gordy on March 15, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, to Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, and Margaret Norton. He has seven siblings, Berry IV, Hazel, Kendal, … Read MoreRockwell (1964- )
Amii Stewart was a popular American disco and soul singer best known for her 1979 hit song “Knock on Wood,” a disco remake of Eddie Floyd’s original 1966 R&B hit of the same name. Born January 29, 1956, in Washington, D.C. to Joseph Stewart II … Read MoreAmy Paulette “Amii” Stewart (1956- )
The Weather Girls, formed in 1976 in San Francisco, California as Two Tons O’ Fun, a female duo with Izora Rhodes-Armstead who was born on July 6, 1942, in Houston, Texas, and Martha Elaine Wash, born in San Francisco, California on December 28, 1953. They … Read MoreThe Weather Girls (1976- )
Lipps, Inc., a short-lived rhythm and blues, disco, and funk ensemble, was founded in 1979 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vocalist/ saxophonist Cynthia Johnson (born April 22, 1956, in St. Paul), who was the 1976 Miss Black Minnesota, led this ensemble and co-composed for the band while … Read MoreLipps, Inc. (1979-1985)
Soul Train, one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history, began in 1970 on the Chicago television station WCIU-TV when there were few outlets for popular Black culture throughout the United States. It was a radical move for the time, exhibiting the cultural perspectives … Read MoreSoul Train (1970-2006)
Club Nouveau (New Club) is a rhythm and blues group founded by record producer/performer Jay King, born on January 26, 1962, and raised in Vallejo, California. The son of Helen King and Jay King Jr., he played trumpet at Vallejo High School before graduating in … Read MoreClub Nouveau (1984- )
The R&B novelty records artist Frankie Smith was born Franklyn Leon Smith in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 29, 1953, to Mary Josephine Smith, who worked at the commissary of the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He began playing the piano in 1961 at the age of 8 … Read MoreFrankie Smith (1953-2019)
Multi-talented musician Morris Eugene Day was born on December 13, 1956, in Springfield, Illinois, to LaVonne Daugherty. When he was eight years old, however, his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he privately studied the piano and percussion, but his passion was always the drums. … Read MoreMorris Eugene Day (1956- )
