Introduction Brook Benton (1931-1988) was a prolific and successful R&B/pop/soul/rock and roll singer-songwriter who amassed several R&B as well as pop chart hits particularly from the late 50s to early 60s music era, although he also scored sizable hits up to the 1970s. He wrote or co-wrote many of his big hits … Read more
Introduction to Ruth Brown Ruth Brown was an American blues singer who brought elements of pop music into her usual blues and R&B repertoire. It was under Atlantic Records where Brown gained prominence especially during the 50s music era, scoring a series of Top 10 R&B hits like “So Long,” “I’ll Wait … Read more
Introduction to The JB’s The JB’s (also billed under the names The J.B.s, The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, The First Family, A.A.B.B., Fred Wesley and The J.B.’s, The JB Horns and the Last Word), were a supporting band of musicians formed and led by legendary funk/soul singer James … Read more
Who is Eddie Holland? Eddie Holland Jr. (born Edward Holland in Detroit, Michigan in 1939) is an American recording artist, songwriter and record producer best known as being part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team, along with his own brother Brian, and another member Lamont Dozier. They were responsible for writing … Read more
Introduction Brighter Side of Darkness is now a defunct American R&B and soul group whose way to their brief fame and success in the early 70s music scene was their single “Love Jones.” It reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and Top 10 of the Billboard R&B singles chart. … Read more
Introduction to Alvin Cash and the Crawlers Alvin Cash and the Crawlers was a group consisting of Alvin Cash (1939-1999) and his brothers. From his hometown in St. Louis, Missouri, Cash and his three brothers moved to Chicago, Illinois where they eventually got signed to One-der-ful Records. Their biggest was a single … Read more
Introduction to Bobby Hebb Bobby Hebb (born in 1938 – died in 2010) was an American singer-songwriter best known for his best-selling 60s music era single “Sunny,” now an oldies music classic pop tune. Born to blind parents who were also both musicians, he entered show business at age three when he … Read more
Introduction to Bloodstone Bloodstone is a American funk/R&B/soul act formed in Kansas City, Missouri during the early 1960s. Led by guitarist and lead singer Charles Love, they were initially a doo-wop group, but as the years followed Bloodstone had begun to change gears and evolve to become one of the most recognizable … Read more
Introduction to Blue Magic Blue Magic is the name of one of the best-known Philly soul groups during the 70s music era. Founded and led by Ted Mills, they generated a handful of Billboard pop and R&B chart smashes such as “Look Me Up,” “Stop to Start,” “Three Ring Circus” and their … Read more
Introduction B.T. Express was one of the funk/disco/soul acts who enjoyed a string of hits during the 70s music era. The Brooklyn, New York-based group, formed in the early 70s music era scored four Top 40 hits the Billboard Hot 100 during their heyday: “Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied),” “Express,” “Give It … Read more
Introduction to Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band Dennis Coffey (born Dennis James Coffey in Detroit, Michigan in 1940) is an American guitarist, who was one of the first few white musicians at that time who did session work with many soul and R&B recording, including the ones for Motown Records. … Read more
Introduction The Clovers were one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1950s, having scored numerous high-charting R&B singles, and a lone Top 40 hit single “Love Potion #9.” The R&B vocal group composed of Harold Lucas, Billy Shelton and Thomas Woods – all were Armstrong High School students in Washington, D.C. With … Read more