The Voices of Classic Soul have been around the world and back again several times each as the lead singers of four of the most legendary vocal groups of all time: the Temptations, Platters, the Four Tops and Drifters. The three singers have a back-story right out of a Hollywood movie; Coleman, Blunt & Peoples
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 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
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 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
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
“It’s always been important for me to tune in with what’s going on in music” Evelyn says. She enjoys going to clubs and concerts and being with people who enjoy all types of music. “You have to live a little and explore a lot” the vocalist states. Evelyn always seems to dazzle the audience with
Felix Cavaliere was born Nov. 29, 1942 in Pelham NY. His mother was a pharmacist and his father was a dentist. His mother wanted only the best for her only son, and had dreams of him becoming a classical pianist. To reach this goal, Felix was instructed in piano 3 times a week from the
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,
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
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
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
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
JT’s vocal talents were discovered at the age of 7 while singing in his church choir and praise for his voice quickly spread throughout his neighborhood. At 13, JT formed his first band and gained tri-state recognition with an appearance at the world famous Apollo Theater. JT and his band also began to receive attention
W. JAY PROCTOR AND THE TECHNIQUES BAND SING MOTOWN, MEMPHIS, PHILLY, OTIS, TEMPS, TOPS, MIRACLES, DELFONICS, SAM & DAVE, WILSON PICKETT, AL GREEN AND MORE PLUS THEIR MEGA HITS “APPLE PEACHES PUMPKIN PIE” “KEEP THE BALL ROLLIN” BOOK JAY AND THE TECHNIQUES
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
“A Unique and Talented Performer” “One of A Kind Voice” “A Singer for All Ages” These are just some of the descriptions of JoJo, lead singer of the Mary Jane Girls. Her vocals on such hits as “All Night Long,” “In My House,” and “Candy Man” created an unmistakable sound heard world wide for the
Little Anthony & the Imperials enjoyed one of the longest career runs of any doo wop group, adapting their honey-smooth style to fit the sweet uptown soul sound of the mid-’60s. Right from the beginning, Little Anthony’s aching way with a ballad was the group’s calling card, but their repertoire was balanced by more R&B-inflected
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 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 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
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
Say the word “Miracles” and all kinds of images from the golden era of the Motown Record Corporation comes to mind. The Miracles were the first Motown group to break through bringing Berry Gordy’s fledgling Detroit record company its first gold record for selling a million copies. The song was “Shop Around” and the year was 1960.
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
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
