Calloway/Midnight Star

Reggie and Vincent Calloway’s songs have been nominated for 5 Grammys. They recorded over ten #1 singles and were voted by Billboard magazine as one of the greatest music production teams of all time. Their prolific talents as top music producers, hit writers, musicians and artists have attracted some of the biggest names in music.

The Chi-Lites

The Chi-Lites were formed in Chicago in 1959. Originally called the Hi-Lites, they consisted of Marshall Thompson, Creadel “Red” Jones, Eugene Record, Robert Lester and Clarence Johnson. As the Hi-Lites they released a number of singles on local labels then in 1964 they changed their name to Marshall & the Chi-Lites; the ‘C’ being added

The Commodores

For three decades, the Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. “The Legends of Motown,” “The Mighty, Mighty Commodores,” “Hit after Hit after Hit,” “All The Excitement, All The Emotion.” Just like their hit song “Brick House”, the Commodores have created a foundation that just won’t budge. After being discovered by Berry Gordy in

The Contours

The road to a Motown recording contract wasn’t an easy one for The Contours. Berry Gordy wasn’t very impressed following a 3-song audition in 1959 and sent them packing. Hubert Johnson, one of the original members of The Contours thought his cousin, the legendary Jackie Wilson might be able to help the group with some

Dionne Warwick

Billboard magazine notes that with no less than 55 hit singles, which include “Don’t Make Me Over”, “Anyone Who Had A Heart”, “I Say A Little Prayer”. “Do You Know The Way To San Jose”, “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”, among many other classics, the legendary Dionne Warwick is the second most charted female of

The Four Tops

No other popular quartet stayed together with original personnel intact for as long as the legendary Four Tops. And no other group associated with the American 60s sound has succeeded in remaining as fresh, joyful, lively, and timely. The Four Tops created a special magic that continues to delight audiences of all ages and nationalities,

France Joli

On July 7,1979, an unknown French Canadian singer from Montreal – all of sweet 16 – stepped onto the boards of New York’s Fire Island before a screaming crowd of 5,000 to perform her very first single, “Come to Me”. She left the stage a star. “Come to Me” reached # 1 on Billboard’s dance chart, # 13 on its pop

Freda Payne

Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 19, 1942, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Her polished voice caught the attention of music executives and

The Friends of Distinction

They are called “The Friends of Distinction” and for much of the last two decades, this talented four member, sophisticated jazz, R&B styled vocal group has distinguished itself in major entertainment arenas across the US. and Europe. The original Friends of Distinction was formed in 1968 by Floyd Butler and Harry Elston, both alumni of

The Gap Band

One of the most influential groups in the history of R&B, Charlie Wilson and his brothers, Robert and Ronnie, made themselves famous with their nonstop humorous funk grooves. You can probably get a witness of their style from many of the “new school” performers such as, R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, Jagged

Johnny Rivers

In 1964, when the British Invasion was in progress and American rockers were tough to find on the U.S. pop charts, Johnny Rivers was one of the first to regain a foothold. His first Top 10 record came right in the midst of Beatlemania. Over the next four years his funky, go-go rock gave him

The Manhattans

Taking their name from the popular mixed drink, the Manhattans began their legendary musical journey after being spotted at Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. They placed third in the competition, but their undeniable musical star power earned them their first recording contract. Joe Evans, a former Motown musician, had just started Carnival Records and

Martha Reeves

Martha Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama. Her parents Ruby and Elijah Reeves moved to Detroit, Michigan before her first birthday. Martha’s mother has been her greatest inspiration and teacher. Ruby and Elijah both sing and play the guitar solely for the family’s delight and pleasure. Raised on the east side, she attended Russell Elementary

The Marvelettes

The Marvelettes occupy an esteemed place in the history of American popular music as the group that caused Motown, and most notably Berry Gordy to change the label’s focus from single bluesy soul artists (previously Barrett Strong’s “Money” had been the label’s biggest seller) to a smooth orchestrated harmonic sound that transcended the prior racial

Maxine Nightingale

Born  in the west London suburb of Wembley, England, Maxine was a mere 16 years old when she began singing in her school band. Enjoying the spotlight so much, she began appearing in a local clubs and came to the attention of Pye Records, who signed her. Four singles were recorded, including “Don’t Push Me Baby” and

Mitch Ryder

High octane, turbo, high performance, super-charged – MITCH RYDER & The Detroit Wheels didn’t need to hail from the Motor City for those adjectives to be tossed their way, but it was certainly appropriate that they called Motown home. It was Mitch and The Wheels who served as the musical bridge between the Motown soul

The O’Jays

It was in 1957 when Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles began as a quintet called the Triumphs of McKinley High School in Canton, OH. In 1960, they became the Mascots but were renamed The O’Jays in 1963 after legendary radio D.J. Eddie O’Jay. Things began to take off for

Paul Rodgers

On December 17, 1949, a lad was born in Middlesbrough, England who would one day be known as one of rock’s most distinctive vocalists. Paul Rodgers first came to prominence in 1968 as a member of the seminal blues group Free.  He has often been called the greatest voice in rock. Initially, as the young