Rhythm and Blues singer Garnet Edward Mimms was born on November 16, 1933, in Ashland, West Virginia, to Eugene Mimms and Fannie Mae Blackwell Mimms from Yanceyville, North Carolina. They had seven children and moved to Beckley, West Virginia. Mimms began his career as a … Read MoreGarnet Edward Mimms (1933 – )
Pianist, composer, lyricist, “word doubling” singer William Larry Stewart II, known by his stage name, Billy Stewart, was born on March 24, 1937, in Freemen’s Hospital on the campus of Howard University, Washington, D.C. His parents were William Larry Stewart, Sr. and Idabel Stewart and … Read MoreBilly Stewart II (1937-1970)
The O’Jays, an R&B ensemble from Canton, Ohio, was formed in 1958 by childhood friends Eddie Levert, who was born in Bessemer, Alabama in 1942 and moved to Canton at the age of 8, and Walter Williams, Sr. born in Canton in 1942. They became … Read MoreThe O’Jays (1958 – 2019)
1960s R&B singer Gene Chandler was born Eugene Drake Dixon on July 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. He had one brother, Richard Dixon, a member of the Dukays, R&B group. Before graduating from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1955, Chandler formed the doo-wop vocal … Read MoreGene Chandler (1937- )
Major Lance was a popular R&B and soul singer and a prominent figure of Chicago’s soul scene in the 1960’s. Born in Winterville, Mississippi, on April 4th, 1939, Lance moved to Chicago, Illinois as a child. Before turning to music, the multitalented Lance showed interests … Read MoreMajor Lance (1939 – 1994)
Honey Cone was an R&B female vocal ensemble based in Los Angeles, California, in 1968. The co-founders were principal singer Edna Wright along with, Carolyn Willis, and Shelly Clark. They were influenced by the doo-wop style of the late 1950s and early 1960s but with … Read MoreHoney Cone (1968 – 1973)
Country, R&B singer, arranger, pianist, lyricist Aaron Joseph Neville was born on January 24, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Arthur Neville, Sr, a merchant marine sailor, and Amelia Neville. He has three brothers, Arthur Neville, II; Charles Neville, Cyril Neville, and one sister, Athelgra … Read MoreAaron Joseph Neville (1941 – )
Jodeci is an R&B group founded in the late 1980’s by members Mr. Dalvin (Dalvin Ertimus DeGrate), DeVante’ Swing (Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.), JoJo (Joel Hailey) and K-Ci (Cedric Renard Hailey). The group name is derived from an abbreviation of all the members names – … Read MoreJodeci (1989- )
An alternative country blues singer, banjoist, guitarist, composer Amythyst Kiah was born in 1990 in Chattanooga, Tennessee but now resides in Johnson City, Tennessee. At an early age, she was encouraged and supported by her parents to play musical instruments. She started with the guitar and … Read MoreAmythyst Kiah (1990- )
Clara Mae Ward, one of the most outstanding soloists and conductors in gospel history, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1924, to George Ward, a handcrafter and ironworker from Anderson County, South Carolina, and Gertrude Mae Murphy Ward, a pianist and singer also … Read MoreClara Mae Ward (1924-1973)
