James E. Carr (1942-2001)

In 1966, James Carr recorded the soul ballad “The Dark End of the Street,” a song that became a Top 10 rhythm-and-blues hit. Rather than having one of the more prolific careers in soul music history, James Carr’s impact was short-lived but still significant. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi to a minister … Read MoreJames E. Carr (1942-2001)

Antoine “Fats” Domino (1928-2017)

Antoine “Fats” Domino, an early rock and roll musician, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 26, 1928, to Antoine Domino, a former plantation worker, and Donatile Gros, a Creole of light complexion. Fats, as he was soon called because of his weight, was raised in a large … Read MoreAntoine “Fats” Domino (1928-2017)

Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (1926-1984)

Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was a blues singer and songwriter whose recordings of “Hound Dog” and “Ball ‘n’ Chain” later were transformed into huge hits by Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin. Willie Mae Thornton was born on December 11, 1926 outside of Montgomery in … Read MoreWillie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (1926-1984)

Stevie Wonder/Stevland Morris (1950- )

Grammy Award winning artist Stevie Wonder, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, was born May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. An excess of oxygen and a disorder affecting his retina called retinopathy resulted in his being born blind. In 1954, his … Read MoreStevie Wonder/Stevland Morris (1950- )