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- )
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)
Macy Gray is a pop and jazz singer known for her unique voice and colorful persona. She was born Natalie McIntyre on September 6, 1967, in Canton, Ohio. Her mother, Laura McIntyre, was a math teacher and her father, Otis Jones, was absent throughout her … Read MoreMacy Gray (1967- )
Balladeer Robert Peapo “Peabo” Bryson was born on April 13, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Marie Bryson. He has two sisters and a brother. His professional career began at 14 as a featured vocalist for the regional ensemble Al Freeman and The Upsetters. In … Read MorePeabo Bryson (1951- )
R&B and Pop singer Regina Elaine Belle was born on July 17, 1963, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Eugene Belle and Lois Belle. She has one brother, Bernard. At a young age, she began performing at Englewood’s Mount Calvary Baptist Church. In 1972, when Belle … Read MoreRegina Belle (1963- )
Virtuoso technician Classical, jazz, composer Nestor Miguel Torres was born on April 25, 1957, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to Nestor Torres Sr., pianist and vibraphone, and Ana E. Salcedo Baldovino-Torres. His first percussion and piano teacher was his father. However, Torres, skipping two grades, began … Read MoreNestor Torres (1957- )
The Fifth Dimension emerged with clean, breezy harmonies in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, as the Versatiles. The group was composed of jazz singer Lamonte McLemore, opera singer Ron Townson, born on January 29, 1933, St. Louis, Missouri, who received the Bachelor of Arts degree … Read MoreThe Fifth Dimension (1965- )
Established in 1966 as the Friends of Distinction, this California pop/soul sound R&B vocal quartet added a new dimension to the sound of African American contemporary music. They first thought to name the group, Distinctive Friends, but one of the members reversed the words. The … Read MoreFriends of Distinction (1966-1996)
Pop singer, disco lyricist Carlton George “Carl,” Douglas was born on October 10, 1942, in Kingston, Jamaica. After the death of his grandmother, his family migrated to Tottenham in North London, England, when he was seven. There his youth was filled with playing soccer and … Read MoreCarl Douglas (1942 – )
Balladeer and Lyric Baritone Lenny Welch was born Leon Welch on May 15, 1938, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He was reared by godparents Eva and Robert Richardson and attended Asbury Park High School but left in the 10th grade in 1956. In 1957, when … Read MoreLenny Welch (1938 – )
