The Chi-Lites is an R&B and Soul vocal group from Chicago, Illinois who rose up to fame in the early 1970s. The group was formed at Hyde Park High School in Chicago in 1959 by its original members, Eugene Record, Robert Lester, and Clarence Johnson. The group originally went … Read MoreThe Chi-Lites (1959- )
The Dells are an R&B vocal group that was formed in 1952 in Harvey, Illinois. The group included Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Mickey and Lucius McGill. When the group formed, the members were all in high school and were called the El-Rays. They produced … Read MoreThe Dells/ The Mighty Dells (1952-1998)
The Shirelles, an all-girl singing pop and rhythm and blues group that was active from 1956 to 1982, was the first African American female group to top any charts. They were formed in 1956 at New Jersey’s Passaic High School. Shirley Owens, Beverly Lee, Doris Kenner, and Addi “Mickey” Harris … Read MoreThe Shirelles (1956-1982)
Sam & Dave were the most successful black rhythm and blues duo of the 1960s although they performed into the early 1980s. Sam Moore, was born in Miami, Florida and Dave Prater, was born in Ocilla, Georgia. Both men sang in church while growing up. They performed separately in … Read MoreSam & Dave (1961-1981)
Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1955, the Spinners began as the Domingoes. The five African American founders were Henry Fambrough, Robert ‘Bobbie’ Smith, Robert “Steel” Smith, Billy Henderson, and Pervis Jackson. All of them attended Ferndale High School in Detroit. Although the group performed for six years, only in … Read MoreThe Spinners (1955- )
The Four Tops were a vocal quartet from Detroit, Michigan, composed of Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton, who were instrumental in defining Motown’s distinct sound during the 1960s. The quartet was one of the longest-lived lineups of the era; they went over 40 … Read MoreThe Four Tops (1953-2005)
The Marvelettes were an all-girl group whose original members were Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart, and Georgia Dobbins. They came together in a high school glee club in their home town of Inkster, Michigan in 1959. In 1960, they auditioned at year-old Motown records where founder Berry Gordy praised … Read MoreThe Marvelettes (1960-1972)
One of the first boy bands, the Jackson 5 consisted of brothers from Gary, Indiana: Jackie (born Sigmund), Tito (born Toriano), Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. Though their youth and energetic sound made them seem like “bubblegum pop,” the boys played instruments, had vocal talent and practiced … Read MoreThe Jackson 5 (1965- )
The Clovers were a rhythm and blues and doo-wop group that gained fame in the 1950s with song hits like “Love Potion No.9.” The Clovers were formed in 1946 by Harold “Hal” Lucas at Armstrong High School in Washington D.C. The original members included Lucas, Thomas Woods, and Billy Shelton. … Read MoreThe Clovers (1946- )
The Moonglows were one of the early influential groups in rhythm and blues. Formed as a duo in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949 by Harvey Fuqua and Bobby Lester as the two friends returned from the U.S. Army, they were later joined by Ed Wiley. The trio began making what was then … Read MoreThe Moonglows (1949-1957)
