The first African American players in the National Basketball Association in the 20th Century all came into the League in 1950. They were Earl Francis Lloyd (Syracuse Nationals), Charles Henry Cooper (Boston Celtics), and Nathaniel Clifton (New York Knicks) They began their academic training at … Read MoreThe First Black Players in the NBA (1950)
R&B singer Deon Jackson was born on January 26, 1946, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He played the Clarinet and performed in the band, with local vocal groups, and as a soloist while attending Ann Arbor High School. As a young composer, Jackson was signed by … Read MoreDeon Jackson (1946-2014)
The Detroit Emeralds, an R&B/ soul vocal ensemble, was formed in 1966 in Detroit, Michigan, by two brothers and a childhood. However, they were originally from Little Rock in Arkansas. The members were brothers Ivory Tilmon (born September 14, 1941), composer/ lyricist Abrim Tilmon (born … Read MoreDetroit Emeralds (1966-1978)
The Winans, an R&B contemporary African American crossover gospel quartet, was created from the musical Winans family of Detroit, Michigan. They were discovered by the legendary Gospel composer Andraé Crouch, who signed them to Light Records in 1981. The quartet comprised brothers Marvin Lawrence Winans … Read MoreThe Winans (1981-2000)
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)
Funk and R&B band Raydio was formed in 1977 in Detroit, Michigan by composer/guitarist/vocalist Ray Erskine Parker Jr., vocalist/bassist Jerry Ernest Knight, pianist/guitarist/drummer Vincent Bohnam, and lead vocalist/Guitarist/lyricist Arnell Derek Carmichael. Ray Erskine Parker Jr., the lead musician, was born on May 1, 1954, in … Read MoreRaydio (1977-1981; 2014- )
The Andantes were a female group used primarily for background vocals for the Motown record label. The group’s founding began with friends Jackie Hicks (first alto), Marlene Barrow (second alto), and Vicki Wright (soprano). All three women sang in their home churches and were already … Read MoreThe Andantes (1958-1992)
Rockwell, who goes by the selected stage name to avoid charges of nepotism, was born Kennedy William Gordy on March 15, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, to Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, and Margaret Norton. He has seven siblings, Berry IV, Hazel, Kendal, … Read MoreRockwell (1964- )
In 1967, legendary composers/lyricists Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland left Motown Records to establish the Invictus/Hot Wax record labels in Detroit, Michigan. Over the years they had composed 130 charting songs for Motown Records, but they felt Berry Gordy did not compensate them … Read MoreThe Chairmen of the Board (1968-1976)
Hamilton Earl Holmes was the lesser known of the Black duo who desegregated the University of Georgia in 1961. He was born July 8, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of businessman Alfred Holmes and schoolteacher Isabella Holmes. A precocious, goal-driven youth, early on he … Read MoreHamilton Earl Holmes (1941-1995)
