R&B singer Oran “Juice” Jones was born on March 28, 1957, in Houston, Texas. However, he was reared in Harlem, New York. He is the father of seven children. Jones graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981, receiving U.S. Marines Corps’ Scout Snipers, … Read MoreOran “Juice” Jones (1957- )
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)
The musical trio known from Detroit, Michigan known as Holland-Dozier-Holland were the biological brothers Edward Holland, Jr., a lyricist born on October 30, 1939, and Brian Holland, a vocalist/composer/producer, born on February 15, 1941; and composer Lamont Dozier, born on June 16, 1941). These musicians, … Read MoreHolland-Dozier-Holland (1962-1970)
Composer, lyricist, producer Frankie Beverly was born Howard Beverly on December 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and reared in the East Germantown section of the city. He began singing gospel music in a local church and was showcased as a soloist as a child. In … Read MoreFrankie Beverly (1946- )
Grover Washington was a popular American jazz saxophonist, with a style reflecting soul-jazz and jazz funk, as well as a songwriter, throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Buffalo, New York, on December 12, 1943, to Grover Washington Sr., a tenor saxophonist, and Lillian Washington, … Read MoreGrover Washington (1943-1999)
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)
Rock and Roll and R&B singer and songwriter Bobby Day was best known for his only major hit “Rockin’ Robin” recorded in 1957 on the Classic Label. In 1958, the single, written by Leon Rene under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas, reached no. 1 on the … Read MoreBobby Day/Robert James Byrd (1930-1990)
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)
Johnny Kemp was an R&B singer best known for his 1988 song “Just Got Paid.” He was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 2, 1959. His earliest musical experiences came in 1972 when Kemp began performing in local Nassau nightclubs. In 1979, Kemp moved to … Read MoreJohnny Kemp (1959-2015)
The doo-wop ensemble Fred Parris & the Satins was founded by baritone Fredericke Lee Parris in 1953 in New Haven, Connecticut. Originally called the Scarlets, the name was changed in 1954. It initially was composed of Parris, tenors Sylvester Hopkins and Nathaniel Mosely Jr., baritone … Read MoreFred Parris & the Satins (1953- )
