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Barbara Acklin was born on 28 February 1943 in Oakland, California, USA. She was a composer, known for A Brother's Kiss (1997), Sparkle (2012) and The Beiderbecke Tapes (1987). She was married to Eugene Record. She died on 27 November 1998 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.- Composer
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Nick Ashford was born on 4 May 1942 in Fairfield, South Carolina, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for The Bodyguard (1992), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018). He was married to Valerie Simpson. He died on 22 August 2011 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Bob Babbitt was born on 26 November 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is known for McHale's Navy (1997), Phil Collins: Going Back (2010) and Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002). He was married to Ann Kreinar. He died on 16 July 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.The Funk Brothers.- Florence Glenda Wilson Ballard was born and grew up in Detroit. By the time she turned 15, her family moved to the Brewster-Douglas housing project, and Florence attended Northeastern High School, where she met and became friends with Mary Wilson. Ballard had always wanted to be a singer and auditioned for the creation of a sister group of The Primes (later known as The Temptations). When she was approved, she recruited Mary, who in turn enlisted a Brewster neighbor, Diana Ross. They began singing and recording as The Primettes in 1959, but when they signed with Motown Records a year later, Florence selected The Supremes as their new name. Eventually Ross became the lead singer and Ballard grew dissatisfied with the group's management, she began drinking and was fired in 1967 for missing recording sessions and performances. She married her boyfriend Thomas Chapman and attempted a solo career with ABC Records. When her Motown settlement money was depleted by her lawyer, ABC also canceled her contract in 1970, after two unsuccessful singles and shelving an album, which was posthumously released in 2001. Ballard filed a lawsuit against Motown in 1971 for additional royalty payments she believed she was due to receive, but the case was dismissed and separated from her husband. She became an alcoholic while raising her three daughters on welfare in Detroit. Around 1974 Mary Wilson helped her to make a comeback. Ballard entered Henry Ford Hospital for rehab treatment and slowly started to recover. In early 1975, Florence received a monetary settlement from her former attorney's insurance company, reconciled with Chapman and decided to return to singing. She performed several times in 1975, but on February 22, 1976 she died from cardiac arrest caused by a coronary thrombosis, at the age of 32.The Supremes.
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Homer Banks is known for The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), Hustle & Flow (2005) and Gangster No. 1 (2000).- Composer
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Fontella Bass is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter best known for her 1965 hit, "Rescue Me."
Fontella Bass was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass, who was a member of The Clara Ward Gospel Singers, and the older sister of R&B singer David Peaston. At an early age, Fontella showed great musical talent. At the age of five, she provided the piano accompaniment for her grandmother's singing at funeral services, she sang in her church's choir at six, and by the time she was nine, she had accompanied her mother on tours throughout the South and Southwest America. Bass continued touring with her mother until age of sixteen. As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. She began singing R&B songs at local contests and fairs while attending Soldan High School from which she graduated in 1958. At 17, she started her professional career working at the Showboat Club near Chain of Rocks, Missouri. With the support of Bob Lyons, the manager of St. Louis station, Bass recorded several songs released through Bobbin Records and produced by Ike Turner. She also recorded on Turner's labels Prann and Sonja. Two years later she quit the Milton band and moved to Chicago after a dispute with Oliver Sain. She auditioned for Chess Records, who immediately signed her as a recording artist. Her first works with the label were several duets with Bobby McClure. The song, "Rescue Me", shot up the charts in the fall and winter of 1965. After a month-long run at the top of the R&B charts, the song reached #4 on the US pop charts and #11 in the UK, and gave Chess its first million-selling single since Chuck Berry a decade earlier. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
During May 2000 Bass received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.Rescue Me.- Actor
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John Belushi was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on January 24, 1949, to Agnes Demetri (Samaras) and Adam Anastos Belushi, a restaurant owner. His father was an Albanian immigrant, from Qytezë, and his mother was also of Albanian descent. He grew up in Wheaton, where the family moved when he was six. Though a young hellion in grade school, John became the perfect all-American boy during his high school years where he was co-captain of the Wheaton Central High School football team and was elected homecoming king his senior year. He also developed an interest in acting and appeared in the high school variety show. Encouraged by his drama teacher, John decided to put aside his plans to become a football coach to pursue a career in acting.
After graduation in 1967, John performed in summer stock in rural Indiana in a variety of roles from "Cardinal Wolsey" in "Anne of a Thousand Days" to a comic detective in "Ten Little Indians". In the fall of his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, John changed his image into a bad-boy appearance by growing his hair long and began to have problems with discipline and structure of attending classes.
Dropping out of Wisconsin, John spent the next two years at the College of DuPage, a junior college a few miles from his parents' Wheaton home, where his father began persuading him to become a partner in his restaurant, but John still preferred acting. While attending DuPage, John helped found the "West Compass Players", an improv comedy troupe patterned after Chicago's famous "Second City" ensemble.
In 1971, John made the leap to "Second City" itself where he performed in various on-stage comic performances with others, who included Harold Ramis and Joe Flaherty. John loved his life at "Second City" where he performed six nights a week, perfecting the physical "gonzo" style of comedy he later made famous.
A year later, John and his live-in girlfriend from his high school years, Judith Belushi-Pisano, moved to New York because John had joined the cast of National Lampoon's Lemmings, an off-Broadway rock musical revue that was originally booked for a six-week run but played to full crowds for nearly 10 months.
In 1973, John was hired as a writer for the syndicated National Lampoon's Radio Hour which became the National Lampoon Show in 1975. John's big break came that same year when he joined the ground-breaking TV variety series Saturday Night Live (1975) which made him a star. The unpredictable, aggressively physical style of humor that he began on "Second City" flowered on SNL.
In 1978, while still working on Saturday Night Live (1975), John appeared in the movie Goin' South (1978) which starred and was directed by Jack Nicholson. It was here that director John Landis noticed John and decided to cast him in his movie National Lampoon's National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). John's minor role as the notorious, beer-swilling "Bluto" made it a box-office smash and the year's top grossing comedy. Despite appearing in only a dozen scenes, John's performance stole the movie, which portrays college fraternity shenanigans at a small college set in the year 1962.
In 1979, John along with fellow SNL regular Dan Aykroyd quit the series to pursue movie projects. John and Dan Aykroyd appeared in minor roles in Steven Spielberg's financially unsuccessful 1941 (1979) and, the following year, in John Landis' The Blues Brothers (1980). Around this time, John's drug use began escalating. Cocaine, which was ubiquitous in show-business circles in the 1970's, became his drug of choice. After he first experimented with cocaine in the mid 1970s, John almost immediately became addicted to it. His frequent cocaine sniffing binges became a source of friction between him and Judy, whom he married in 1976.
John's love for blues and soul music inspired the "Blues Brothers". He and Aykroyd first appeared as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, a pair of white soul men dressed in black suits, skinny ties, fedora hats and Rayban sunglasses, as a warm-up act before the telecasts of Saturday Night Live (1975). Building on the success of their acts and the release of their album "A Briefcase Full of Blues", John and Dan Aykroyd starred in the movie, which gave John a chance to act with his favorite musical heroes including Ray Charles, James Brown and Aretha Franklin.
Although John's reputation for being an off-screen party animal is legendary, his generous side is less well known. Using some of his money, he bought his father a ranch outside San Diego for him to live. John helped set up some of his Chicago friends with their own businesses and even financially helped his younger brother, Jim Belushi, who followed his older brother's path to both "Second City" and Saturday Night Live (1975).
In 1981, John appeared in the movie Continental Divide (1981), playing a hard-nosed Chicago newspaperman who finds romance in Colorado with eagle expert Blair Brown. That same year, John and Dan Aykroyd appeared again in the movie Neighbors (1981), which gave them a chance to reverse roles, with John playing a straight-arrow family man whose life is turned upside down when a wild family man (Aykroyd) moves in next door.
In January 1982, John began work on the screenplay for another movie to be titled "Noble Rot". Also, John had checked into a bungalow at the Chateau Marmont, a popular celebrity hotel in Los Angeles. John's drug use had been steadily increasing for over a year now, which alarmed his wife and friends, but he continued to promise Judy that he would quit someday. On March 5, 1982, John Belushi was found dead in his hotel room at the age of 33. The local coroner gave the cause of death as a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin. Several years later, John's drug dealing/drug user companion during his final weeks, Cathy Evelyn Smith, was tried and sentenced to three years in prison for supplying John with the drugs. Close friend James Taylor sang "That Lonesome Road" at a memorial service at Martha's Vineyard cemetery where John was buried.The Blues Brothers.- Actor
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Renaldo Benson was born on 14 June 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Jerry Maguire (1996), Flight (2012) and The Girl Next Door (2004). He was married to Valaida. He died on 1 July 2005 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.The Four Tops.- Music Department
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Bobby Bland was born on 27 January 1930 in Rosemark, Tennessee, USA. He is known for The Fugitive (1993), The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) and Fighting (2009). He was married to Willie Mae Bland. He died on 23 June 2013 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.- Composer
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Leroy 'Sugarfoot' Bonner was born on 14 March 1943 in Hamilton, Ohio, USA. He was a composer, known for Reindeer Games (2000), The Italian Job (2003) and Romeo Must Die (2000). He died on 26 January 2013 in Trotwood, Ohio, USA.The Ohio Players.- Soundtrack
Little Eva was born on 29 June 1943 in Belhaven, North Carolina, USA. She was married to James Harris. She died on 10 April 2003 in Kinston, North Carolina, USA.The Locomotion.- Actor
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Johnny Bristol was born on 3 February 1939 in Morganton, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Adventures in Babysitting (1987) and Bad Times at the El Royale (2018). He was married to Maude Perry and Iris Gordy. He died on 21 March 2004 in Howell, Michigan, USA.Singer, songwriter, producer.- Actor
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Chuck Brown is considered the pioneer and fundamental force behind a style of music called Go-Go. Go-Go music incorporates Funk, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Blues, Soul, R & B and Dancehall music. This music is mostly known of and performed in the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. but has grown national attention most recently in part to the contributions of Chuck Brown and his band "The Soul Searchers". Go-Go music has its origins from the late 1960's but was popularized in the 1970's.
Chuck Brown played the guitar. Chuck's signature guitar was the blonde Gibson ES-335. Early in his career Chuck played for Soul Singer Jerry Butler. Chuck Brown was nicknamed the Godfather of Go-Go. Chuck Brown has a huge and loyal following in the Washington, D.C. area and has also influenced and worked with a wide variety of performers such as Jill Scott, Ledisi, Marcus Miller plus many other Go-Go bands and performers.
Chuck Brown was recently named one of the 45 most influential people who shaped DC in the past 45 years by Washingtonian Magazine. Chuck Brown was considered a local legend in Washington, D.C. and in 2009, the block of 7th Street in Northwest D.C. between Florida Avenue and T Street was renamed "Chuck Brown Way" in his honor.
On September 4th, 2011, Chuck Brown was honored by the National Symphony Orchestra. The NSO paid tribute to Legends of Washington Music with a free Labor Day concert. The tribute included other Washington, D.C. legends such as Duke Ellington and John Phillip Sousa. The free concert was performed on the West Lawn of the Capitol building. Chuck Brown and his band (the Soul Searchers), finished the evening with a performance.
A few of Chuck Brown's early hits include "We the People", "I Need Some Money" and "Bustin' Loose". "Bustin' Loose" has been adopted by the Washington Nationals baseball team as its home run celebration song. "Bustin' Loose" is also featured in a national television campaign ad for Chips Ahoy Cookies.Father of Go-Go.- Actor
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Errol Brown was born on 12 November 1943 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was an actor and composer, known for Zodiac (2007), The Guest (2014) and Rat Race (2001). He was married to Ginette. He died on 6 May 2015 in the Bahamas.Hot Chocolate.- Music Artist
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James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer, and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honorific nicknames "Godfather of Soul", "Mr. Dynamite", and "Soul Brother No. 1". In a career that lasted more than 50 years, he influenced the development of several music genres. Brown was one of the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural induction in New York on January 23, 1986.
Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia. He first came to national public attention in the mid-1950s as the lead singer of the Famous Flames, a then-only Rhythm and blues vocal group founded by Bobby Byrd. With the hit ballads "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me", Brown built a reputation as a dynamic live performer with the Famous Flames and his backing band, sometimes known as the James Brown Band or the James Brown Orchestra. His success peaked in the 1960s with the live album Live at the Apollo and hit singles such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World".
During the late 1960s, Brown moved from a continuum of blues and gospel-based forms and styles to a profoundly "Africanized" approach to music-making, emphasizing stripped-down interlocking rhythms that influenced the development of funk music. By the early 1970s, Brown had fully established the funk sound after the formation of the J.B.s with records such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" and "The Payback". He also became noted for songs of social commentary, including the 1968 hit "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". Brown continued to perform and record until his death from pneumonia in 2006.
Brown recorded 17 singles that reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts. He also holds the record for the most singles listed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that did not reach No. 1. Brown was inducted into the first class of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as an artist and then in 2017 as a songwriter. He also received honors from several other institutions, including inductions into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In Joel Whitburn's analysis of the Billboard R&B charts from 1942 to 2010, Brown is ranked No. 1 in The Top 500 Artists. He is ranked seventh on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.The Godfather of Soul.- Albridge Bryant was born on 28 September 1939 in Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for The Temptations (1998). He was married to Bobby Jean. He died on 26 October 1975 in Florida, USA.The Temptations.
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Nicholas Caldwell was born on 5 April 1944 in Loma Linda, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), The Whispers: A Song for Donny (1979) and The Whispers: Can't Do Without Love (1979). He was married to Alberta. He died on 5 January 2016 in Stockton, California, USA.The Whispers.- Music Department
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Little Milton was born on 7 September 1933 in Inverness, Mississippi, USA. He is known for Ride Along (2014), Deuces Wild (2002) and To Sleep with Anger (1990). He was married to Lesterine Patricia Campbell. He died on 4 August 2005 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.- Actor
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Jimmy Castor was born on 23 January 1940 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Flashdance (1983) and Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017). He was married to Sandi. He died on 16 January 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.- Music Artist
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A tragic fate may have given this visionary a heightened sensitivity, perception, awareness, even expansion to his obvious musical gifts that he may have never touched upon had he not suffered from his physical affliction. Whatever it was, Ray Charles revolutionized American music and was catapulted to legendary status by the time he died in Beverly Hills at age 73.
Born on September 23, 1930, to Aretha and Baily Robinson, an impoverished Albany, Georgia, family that moved to Greenville, Florida while he was still an infant. It was not a cause for joy and celebration. His father soon abandoned the family and his baby brother, George Robinson, drowned in a freak washtub accident. Ray himself developed glaucoma at the age of five and within two years had lost his sight completely. A singer in a Baptist choir, he developed a love and feel for rhythms and studied music at the State School for Deaf and Blind Children, showing which brought out his talent and ear for playing various instruments, including the piano and clarinet.
An orphan by his early teens, Ray joined a country band at age 16 called The Florida Playboys. He moved to Seattle in 1948 where he and Southern guitarist Gossady McGee formed the McSon Trio. With an emphasis on easy-styled jazz, Ray also played in bebop sessions on the sly. He departed from the McSon Trio and signed with Los Angeles-based Swing Time Records, becoming the pianist for rhythm and blues great Lowell Fulson and his band. Atlantic Records eventually picked him up. Along the road he would add composer, writer and arranger to his formidable list of talents.
Ray's first R&B hit was "Confession Blues" in Los Angeles in 1949. In 1951, he had his first solo chart buster with "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand". His amazing versatility and raw, soulful delivery quickly caught on with audiences and helped put Atlantic Records on the map. Hits like "Mess Around", "Things I Used to Do", "A Fool for You", "I've Got a Woman", "Drown in My Own Tears", and especially "What'd I Say" in 1959, pushed gospel and R&B to a wider crossover audience. He made a move into the country music arena--unheard of for a black singer--in the 1960s, doing soulful spins on Hank Williams and Eddy Arnold tunes. In 1960, he left Atlantic and signed with ABC-Paramount. Under ABC-Paramount, hits poured out during this peak time with "I Can't Stop Loving You", "Hit the Road Jack", "Busted" and his beloved signature song "Georgia On My Mind".
His landmark 1962 album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" brought a new swinging style to country music. From there, he traveled a mainstream route--from interpreting songs from The Beatles ("Eleanor Rigby") to appearing in "Diet Pepsi" ads ("You Got the Right One, Baby, Uh-huh!"). He also showed up sporadically in films, playing himself in the movie Ballad in Blue (1965) and guest-starring in The Blues Brothers (1980) with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. A television musical variety favorite with his trademark dark sunglasses and dry humor, he worked alongside such musical legends as Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand on their very special evenings of song.
It is hard to believe that with everything he accomplished, Ray also had to deal with a longstanding heroin problem. In the mid-1960s, he was arrested for possession of heroin and marijuana and revealed that he had been addicted for nearly two decades. By 1965, he had completely recovered. The man who lived life on the edge was divorced twice and had 12 children both in and outside his marriages.
At the time of his death from liver disease on June 10, 2004, he was working on a recording project of duets with such performers as Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Elton John and Norah Jones. This collaboration entitled "Genius Loves Company" led to an incisive win at the Grammy Awards--eight posthumous trophies including "Album of the Year" and "Record of the Year".
A few months after his death, the critically-acclaimed feature film biography Ray (2004) was released starring Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx.- Arlester "Dyke" Christian was born in Buffalo, New York on June 13, 1943. In 1965 he sang and played bass guitar with the Blazers, the backing band for The O'Jays. The group was stranded in Phoenix, Arizona, when the O'Jays couldn't pay them. The group decided to continue to play music to raise money to get home, changing their name to Dyke and the Blazers. "Dyke" was inspired by the experience and wrote "Funky Broadway" to go with a dance he invented. Dyke and the Blazers toured heavily and appeared at major venues as a result this hit song. Christian was shot and killed in Phoenix, Arizona. He was just 27 years old.Dyke & the Blazers.
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Otis Clay was born on 11 February 1942 in Waxhaw, Mississippi, USA. He died on 8 January 2016 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.- Jessica Cleaves was born on 10 December 1948 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for The Night Before (1988) and Soul! (1968). She died on 2 May 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Friends of Distinction.
Earth, Wind and Fire.
Parliament Funkadelic. - Actress
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Growing up and living under the huge, daunting shadow of a singing icon can intimidate a son or daughter enough to want to look anywhere else to find their station in life. Those who dared to try to follow in their footsteps, such as Frank Sinatra Jr., found success branching out in other areas of music; others like the Crosby brothers, suffered from perpetual self esteem issues that led to personal tragedy; still others, like Liza Minnelli found meteoric success on their own and emulated/paralleled their famous parent's own star achievements.
"Sophisticated Lady" Natalie Cole fits into the last-mentioned category. Moreover, she ended up living a dream by dueting with her father, the late and great Nat 'King' Cole, through the use of modern technology, to multiple Grammy-winning glory. This would become the pinnacle of her musical success. Unlike Minnelli, however, her famous crooning parent, who broke many racial barriers during his way-too-short life in the limelight, did not live long enough to enjoy his daughter's rise to stardom, dying of lung cancer a little more than a week after Natalie's 15th birthday.
Stephanie Natalie Maria Cole was born on February 6, 1950, and grew up in a heavily musical atmosphere in Los Angeles' exclusive Hancock Park area. In addition to her father, mother Maria had been a background vocalist with the Duke Ellington outfit. Natalie herself grew up surrounded by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and, Frank Sinatra, who were considered family. Singing on one of her dad's Christmas albums, and performing by age 11, her father's early death brought emotional scars and perhaps induced a self-imposed lack of musical focus. The family relocated to Massachusetts and Natalie eventually took off to college, first attending and majoring in child psychology at the University of Massachusetts. The transferred to the University of Southern California before returning to her first campus and graduating in 1972. At this point, however, she decided to live her music a go again and began performing at various night spots. It was at this juncture that she gradually fell into drug addiction, including heroin use.
A breakthrough for Natalie came via her early 70s association with Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, who once worked with one of Natalie's real-life idols, Aretha Franklin. A debut album in the form of "Inseparable" came out in 1975, which included her bit hit "This Will Be" (#6 on the pop charts and a multiple Grammy winner for best R&B female vocals and "best newcomer". In 1976 producer Yancy became her husband but they divorced after only a few years and following the birth of their only child, Robert Adam Yancy. Her ex-husband died in 1985.
During the "disco era", milder hits with "Sophisticated Lady," "Mr. Melody," "I've Got Love on My Mind," "Our Love," "Stand By," "What You Won't Do for Love," and "Hold On" and "Nothing But a Fool" arrived, along with more platinum and gold albums. Acute drug problems, however, continued to hinder her progress and she eventually took time off time for recovery. In 1985, Natalie released, in what was the start of a comeback, her album "Dangerous" for Modern Records; she later lost her contract. Such as late 80s pop singles included "Jump Start My Heart," "Miss You Like Crazy", "Pink Cadillac" and "I Live for Your Love" kept her visible and on the charts.
In the midst of her ebb-and-flow R&B success, Natalie decided in 1991 to record a new CD, "Unforgettable...with Love," paying homage to her late father. With the help and encouragement of family, she re-arranged and re-recorded some of his greatest songs in the same studio that he recorded (Capitol Studios), used some of the same musicians and even recreated one of his signature songs, the title tune "Unforgettable," with a technological effect that appeared as if they were dueting together. Never before or since has this been pulled off and marketed so successfully. The CD, which met with some derision (some critics felt she was grasping for straws in a career that was going backwards), was an instant "easy listening" sensation. Not only did it sell well over 30 million copies, it would become an eight-time over platinum winner. It earned a armload of awards on Grammy night -- including "Album of the Year" and "Record of the Year".
Over time Natalie began covering jazz standards. A jazz CD in 1994 also captured a Grammy (she has racked up a total of eight Grammy awards thus far). Like her Dad, she has become a fond Christmas commodity both on TV and in the record stores. In addition, she branched out into occasional acting roles, including the social drama Lily in Winter (1994) and the autobiographical feature film Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000) in which she herself played the ups and downs of her own turbulent life. She has also made infrequent acting appearances on such shows as "I'll Fly Away," "Law & Order," "Touched by an Angel" and "Grey's Anatomy".
Natalie's private life, however, continued to show vulnerability. A second marriage to drummer Andre Fisher of Rufus fame also ended in divorce and she later married and divorced a third time to Kenneth H. Dupree, a church bishop. Natalie's older adopted sister, Carol Cole earned a modicum of distinction as an actress and celebrity for a time, but her adopted brother, Nat Kelly Cole, briefly an actor, died in 1995 at age 36 of AIDS-related complications.
Firmly content wrapping her glorious vocals around yesteryear's standards, Natalie's star contained the warm, fuzzy glow and velvet-like smoothness so reminiscent of her famous dad. She continued to shine with her CD "Still Unforgettable, in which she nursed the classics as only she can and "dueted" once again with her father on "Walking My Baby Back Home"
In July of 2008, Natalie was diagnosed with a life-threatening liver virus, Hepatitis C, which had laid dormant for decades from her early days of hard drug and alcohol use. It progressed to the point of her having a have a kidney transplant the following year. Although she continued to perform, she remained illness-prone up until her death on New Year's Eve 2015 of congestive heart failure induced by lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. Her 2000 memoir, Angel on My Shoulder, detailed much of her early addiction battles.- Music Artist
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Sam Cooke was born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was one of eight children of Charles Cook Sr., a Baptist minister. When Sam sang as a little boy in church, everyone made note that his voice had "something special". He sang in church and in local gospel choirs until a group called the Highway Q.C.'s asked him to sing with them at various venues. By the time he reached 20, Sam's voice was a finely honed instrument and he was noted for bringing the spirit up in churchgoers.
When Sam replaced R.H. Harris, the legendary lead singer for the extremely popular gospel group The Soul Stirrers, it was the beginning of his meteoric rise. Cooke sang with the group for six years, traveling back and forth across the country and gaining a wealth of knowledge regarding how black people were treated. His refusal to sing at a segregated concert led to what many have described as one of the first real efforts in civil disobedience and helped usher in the new Civil Rights Movement.
After several gospel albums, Sam decided it was time to cross over from gospel (against almost everyone's advice) to record some soul and rhythm & blues. His hypnotically smooth voice, not to mention his finely chiseled good looks, brought him almost instant success. His first single released in 1957 was "You Send Me", which sold over a million copies and made Sam an "overnight success" in the business. He was on his way to becoming the biggest voice on the radio. Record producers vied to sign him to a contract. In 1960 he became the first major black artist to sign with RCA Records. Sam was not happy with the deal and when the time was right decided to start his own publishing company (KAGS Music) to keep control over his music and his own record company (SAR/Derby) to keep control of his money.
Sam married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Campbell, in 1959 and they had three children. Tragically, their youngest child, Vincent, drowned in their swimming pool at age four in June 1964.
On the night of December 11, 1964, Sam had withdrawn some money to buy Christmas presents. The manager of the motel he was staying in, Bertha Franklin, who had shot and killed a man six months previously at the same motel, made arrangements with a local prostitute named Elisa Boyer to pick up Sam at a local bar and bring him back to the motel. As he and the woman entered the motel room Sam was struck on the head and momentarily knocked out. Boyer, who was known as a "drunk roller" who would rob her clients, took Sam's money and met Franklin at the motel office.
When Cooke regained consciousness he was disoriented, in addition to being without his pants and his wallet. He stumbled to the motel office and saw Boyer and Franklin counting his money ($2,500 - a considerable amount of money at the time) through the window. He demanded his pants, money and wallet back. When they didn't open the door, Cooke knocked on it as hard as he could and it came off the hinges. When he got up off the floor Mrs. Franklin shot him and then instructed Boyer to run down the street and call police from a phone booth. Boyer told them a phony story about a rape and left the scene and subsequently disappeared. Sam was dead when the police arrived and, since Boyer had stolen his wallet, they had no idea who it was and took it as a routine justified homicide in the ghetto.
The coroner's inquest should have been a slam-dunk, but not one pertinent question was asked by an investigator, nor was a background check made that would have revealed Bertha Franklin's deadly past. The authorities simply took her made-up story as "gospel". Sam's murder was chalked up as just another unidentified "rapist" killed in Watts. It wasn't until the following Monday morning that a reporter found out Sam Cooke was signed in to the motel registry as himself and that one of the world's greatest talents and a true human being was dead, under shady circumstances that might never have been covered by the media.- Actor
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Bobby DeBarge was born on 5 March 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Shaft (2019), Punky Brewster (1984) and American Bandstand (1952). He was married to Teri DeBarge. He died on 16 August 1995 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.- Music Department
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Bernard Edwards was born on 31 October 1952 in Greenville, North Carolina, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for Super 8 (2011), Commando (1985) and Taxi (2004). He died on 18 April 1996 in Tokyo, Japan.Chic.- Jimmy Ellis was born on 15 November 1937 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. He died on 8 March 2012 in South Carolina, USA.The Trammps.
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Bobby Farrell was born on 6 October 1949 in Oranjestad, Aruba. He was an actor, known for Deadly Spygames (1989), Boney M.: We Kill the World (Don't Kill the World) (1981) and Boney M.: Ma Baker (1977). He was married to Jasmina. He died on 30 December 2010 in St. Petersburg, Russia.Boney M.- Writer
- Soundtrack
Anna Gordy Gaye was born on 12 December 1921 in Georgia, USA. She was a writer, known for The Negotiator (1998), Reindeer Games (2000) and Elf (2003). She was married to Marvin Gaye and Waymond Cecil Birdsong. She died on 31 January 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Songwriter, composer.- Music Artist
- Music Department
- Composer
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. (known professionally as Marvin Gaye; April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul".
Gaye's Motown songs include "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Gaye also recorded duets with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Tammi Terrell, and Diana Ross. During the 1970s, Gaye recorded the albums What's Going On and Let's Get It On and became one of the first artists in Motown to break away from the reins of a production company.
His later recordings influenced several contemporary R&B sub-genres, such as quiet storm and Neo-Soul. He was a tax exile in Europe in the early 1980s; he released "Sexual Healing" in 1982, which won him his first two Grammy Awards on the album Midnight Love. Gaye's last televised appearances were at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, where he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner"; Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; and Soul Train.
On April 1, 1984, the eve of his 45th birthday, Gaye was shot and mortally wounded by his father, Marvin Gay Sr., at their house in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, after an argument. Gay Sr. later pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, and received a six-year suspended sentence and five years of probation. Many institutions have posthumously bestowed Gaye with awards and other honors including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.- Music Department
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Mic Gilette was born on 7 May 1951 in Oakland, California, USA. He is known for Everybody Says I'm Fine! (2001), Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 (2008) and Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (2008). He was married to Julia Martinez and Judith Anne Fuller. He died on 17 January 2016 in Concord, California, USA.Tower of Power.- Actor
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- Stunts
Dobie Gray was born on July 26, 1940, to a family of sharecroppers in Simonton, Texas (some sources cite Brookshire, Texas, as Gray's place of birth, but he claimed on his official website that he hails from Simonton. Moreover, his birth name has been variously cited as either Lawrence Victor Ainsworth or Laurence Darrow Brown). Gray's Baptist minister grandfather introduced him to gospel music. Dobie also listened to country/western and rhythm-and-blues music as a kid.
He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s. His seventh recorded single, "Look at Me", was his first chart success. Dobie had a top-20 hit with the catchy "The 'In' Crowd" in 1965. The follow-up song, "See You at the Go-Go", was only a modest success. While in Hollywood Gray took acting classes and acted in stage productions of "A Raisin in the Sun," "The Amen Corner," "Look Homeward Angel," "Rhinoceros," and the hugely popular hippie counterculture musical "Hair" (he stayed with this play for two and a half years). He sang with the band Pollution in the early 1970s. In 1973 he scored his biggest and most beloved smash with the supremely mellow and soothing "Drift Away", which reached #5 on the pop charts, has been covered by many major artists (among them Elvis Presley and Ray Charles) and has since become a staple on classic rock radio stations. Dobie played a lead role in the blaxploitation feature Mean Mother (1973) and appeared as himself in the comedy Out of Sight (1966).
Dobie's sound changed from soul to country in the mid-'70s. He relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and had modest country chart hits with such songs as "That's One to Grow On" and "From Where I Stand." In addition, Gray enjoyed a nice sideline career as a songwriter; among the artists he penned songs for are Charley Pride, George Jones, Johnny Mathis, Conway Twitty, John Denver, B.J. Thomas and Tammy Wynette. Moreover, Dobie did radio and TV commercial work for such high-profile companies as Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Allstate, Chevrolet, Buick, and Kraft. He toured in Europe, Australia, and Africa (he performed for integrated audiences in South Africa during the apartheid era). His songs are featured on the soundtracks to such movies as Uptown Saturday Night (1974) (in which he sings the titular theme song), Casey's Shadow (1978), Casino (1995) and Wonderland (2003). In 2003 he sang a duet with rap artist Uncle Kracker on a hip-hop cover of "Drift Away;" the cover peaked at #1 on the charts for 28 weeks. Gray died at age 71 from cancer on December 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.I wanna get lost in your rock n roll and drift away.- Soundtrack
R.B. Greaves was born on 28 November 1943 in Georgetown, British Guiana [now Guyana]. He was married to Maura Dhu Studi, Sandra Golden and Claire Francis. He died on 27 September 2012 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Take a Letter Maria.- Actor
- Soundtrack
William Guest was born on 2 June 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for Murphy Brown (1988), Gladys Knight & The Pips: Bourgie, Bourgie (1980) and Gladys Knight & The Pips: Taste of Bitter Love (1980). He died on 24 December 2015 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.Gladys Knight & the Pips.- Music Department
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Donny Hathaway was born on 1 October 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a composer, known for Two Weeks Notice (2002), The Intouchables (2011) and Malcolm X (1992). He was married to Eulaulah Hathaway. He died on 13 January 1979 in New York City, New York, USA.- Music Artist
- Actress
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Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah perfectly.
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Diane (Hankerson) and Michael Haughton. Her uncle was music manager Barry Hankerson and her brother is director Rashad Haughton. Aaliyah was raised in Detroit. She got her first major exposure appearing on the syndicated television series Star Search (1983), where she awed the audience with her amazing voice and talent, singing "My Funny Valentine", a song which her mother had sung years earlier. At age 11, she sang with Gladys Knight in a five-night stint in Las Vegas. Withdrawing from the celebrity scene for a few years, Aaliyah lived the life of a normal teenage girl, attending Detroit's Performing Arts High School, where she majored in dance. It was around this same time that Aaliyah met singer/composer R. Kelly. Kelly assisted Aaliyah with the production of her debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A number", which scored several number hits, specifically "Back and Forth." The album's title was a brief reference to her short-lived marriage to R. Kelly (she was 15 years of age at the time, and he was in his 20s). Thir marriage was annulled due to her status as a minor.
During her senior year, Aaliyah went on to record "One In A Million", which featured the songwriting talents of major R&B producers/writers Missy Elliott and Timbaland. The album was a major success and sealed Aaliyah's fame forever.
Aaliyah recorded the single 'Journey to the past' for the Anastasia (1997) soundtrack. After seeing her at an awards show and in the video for her hit song "Are You that Somebody?" (from the Eddie Murphy film Doctor Dolittle (1998)), film producer Joel Silver (producer of The Matrix (1999) and other major actor films) asked Aaliyah to audition for a role in an romance/action film, Romeo Must Die (2000). With her determination and sex appeal, Aaliyah won Silver over and was cast in her first major film role. Romeo Must Die (2000) was a hit at the box office. This film led to her being cast as one of the stars of the film based on Anne Rice's Queen of the Damned (2002), and in the two sequels to the major box office hit, The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003).
During the busy schedule of her film career, Aaliyah took time to record her third album, the self-titled "Aaliyah". July 2001 was a busy time for Aaliyah. After the success of her song "Try Again", for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award and won several MTV Video Awards, Aaliyah finally released her "Aaliyah" album. Debuting at number two on the Billboard charts, "Aaliyah" was a sales success, despite some lackluster reviews.
In August 2001, Aaliyah took time off from her busy album promotional tour to fly to the Bahamas to film a video for the song "Rock the Boat". The video, filmed on Abaco Island, was directed by Hype Williams, a major music video director known for his style and wit.
On August 25, 2001, after filming the video, Aaliyah and about 9-11 of her entourage took off from Marsh Harbour airport at 6:50pm EDT in a small Cessna 404 en route to Opa-Locka, Florida. A few minutes after take-off, the plane crashed about 200 feet from the runaway, killing Aaliyah and many others instantly. Four passengers were pulled alive from the wreckage, and one later died at a hospital in Nassau. Aaliyah was only 22 years old. Her funeral was held on Friday August 31st in New York, and 22 white doves were flown to celebrate each year of her life. Soon after her death, the hit singles 'More Than a woman' and 'Rock The Boat' were released, from her third album. In 2002, the film Queen of the Damned (2002) was released, in which Aaliyah played Queen Akasha. She was nominated for best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards 2002.
Aaliyah's short-lived, but brilliant career, was a true success story for a young African-American woman who went against all odds to be herself in an industry where originality is scarce. Truly missed by her family, friends, and fans, her music and film contributions will live forever. It's no wonder that her name means 'Highest, most ex-halted one; the best' in Hebrew. She had achieved so much in her twenty-two years.- Music Artist
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Isaac Hayes, the second-born child of Eula and Isaac Hayes Sr., was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wade Sr. The child of a poor family, he grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He dropped out of high school, but later his former high-school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned when he was 21. Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kays, and Booker T. Jones (later of Booker T. & the M.G.s fame) were some of the "Memphis Sound" musical luminaries Hayes worked with during his early years as a budding musician and vocalist. He was a multi-talented composer, singer, and arranger who played the piano, vibraphone, and saxophone equally well. In 1971 he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture for the "Theme from Shaft" (1970) and was nominated for Best Original Dramatic Score for Shaft (1971).Shaft! Damn right.- Composer
- Soundtrack
Leon Haywood was born on 11 February 1942 in Houston, Texas, USA. He was a composer, known for Date Night (2010), Blue Streak (1999) and Undercover Brother (2002). He died on 5 April 2016 in Los Angeles, California, USA.I want'a do something freaky to you.- Soundtrack
Eddie Hazel was born April 10, 1950 in Brooklyn, New York. He died December 23, 1992 in Plainfield, New Jersey. When he was eight years old, his older brother, Sonny, gave him a guitar for Christmas. Self-taught, by age twelve, he was winning guitar contests in Plainfield. Most of the guitarists played R&B music. Eddie won one by playing "Wipe Out", a popular surfing song at the time. He was doing session work when he was recruited to play with Parliament at age 17. He is rated #43 on Billboard's top 100 guitarist of all time. His signature song, Maggot Brain, is rated #60 on Billboard's top 100 guitar solos of all time. (as of this writing)Parliament Funkadelic.- Composer
- Soundtrack
Bobby Hebb was born on 26 July 1938 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He was a composer, known for Boogie Nights (1997), Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) and Hitch (2005). He died on 3 August 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.Sunny.- Composer
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Teenie Hodges was born on 16 November 1945 in Germantown, Tennessee, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for The Firm (1993), The Guardian (2006) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005). He died on 22 June 2014 in Dallas, Texas, USA.Songwriter, guitarist.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Loleatta Holloway was born on November 5, 1946, to a musical family. At the tender age of five, she began performing gospel songs with her mother, a member of the church chorus. Obessesed with the music, she went on to study music and melody, and graduated from college with a degree in music.
Loleatta then signed on to Galaxy Records, where she created her first two albums: "Loleatta" and "Cry to Me". Her first hit single, "Rainbow '71", was a huge hit and nearly made #1. For several years, Loleatta created some of the best singles - "Dreamin'", "Love Sensation", "Ride on Time" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" were some of the hundreds of songs she released in the world.
When she died all too soon on March 21, 2011, from heart failure, she was mourned by the news. Loleatta had set a new standard for the magic of gospel and hip-hop.- Gladys Horton was born on 30 May 1945 in Gainesville, Florida, USA. She was married to Sammy Coleman. She died on 26 January 2011 in Sherman Oaks, California, USA.
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Marvin Isley was born on 18 August 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was a composer, known for Okja (2017), Thunder Force (2021) and Taxi (2004). He was married to Sheila Felton. He died on 6 June 2010 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.- Music Department
- Producer
- Soundtrack
O'Kelly Isley was born on 25 December 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was a producer, known for Okja (2017), Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Thunder Force (2021). He died on 31 March 1986 in Alpine, New Jersey, USA.- Pervis Jackson is known for Laverne & Shirley (1976), Soul! (1968) and Soul Power (2008). He was previously married to Claudreen.The Spinners.
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Wayne Jackson was born on 24 November 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He is known for Not Easily Broken (2009), Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer (1986) and Great Performances (1971). He was married to Amy. He died on 21 June 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.The Memphis Horns.- Music Department
- Actress
- Composer
Etta James is an American singer who performed in various genres, including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz, gospel. Starting her career in 1954, she gained fame with hits such as "The Wallflower", "At Last", "Tell Mama", "Something's Got a Hold on Me", and "I'd Rather Go Blind". She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album Seven Year Itch.
Etta James's powerful, deep, earthy voice bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll. She won six Grammy Awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Rolling Stone magazine ranked James number 22 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time; she was ranked number 62 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.- Actor
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Rick James was born on 1 February 1948 in Buffalo, New York, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Colors (1988), The Happytime Murders (2018) and Blue Streak (1999). He was married to Tanya Hijazi. He died on 6 August 2004 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Super Freak.- Actor
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- Music Department
Louis Johnson was born on 13 April 1955 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Yes Man (2008), Charlie Wilson's War (2007) and Blockers (2018). He was married to Valerie B. Riffe. He died on 21 May 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA.The Brothers Johnson.- Music Department
Uriel Jones was born on 13 June 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is known for Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) and Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music (2005). He was married to June. He died on 24 March 2009 in Dearborn, Michigan, USA.The Funk Brothers.- Soundtrack
Marvin Junior was born on 31 January 1936 in Harrell, Arkansas, USA. He was married to Ruby. He died on 29 May 2013 in Harvey, Illinois, USA.The Dells.- Actor
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He began singing in nightclubs in his hometown of Nassau, Bahamas, when he was only 13. He moved to Harlem in 1979, developing his other talents as a dancer, songwriter, and actor. "Just Got Paid" was a Top Ten hit in 1988; he subsequently did a tune for the soundtrack of the motion picture Sing (1989). He pursued a career with Teddy Riley on "Just Got Paid" in 1988.- Music Artist
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Ben E. King was born on 28 September 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina, USA. He was a music artist and composer, known for Stand by Me (1986), Love and Monsters (2020) and Cloverfield (2008). He was married to Betty Nelson. He died on 30 April 2015 in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA.- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Gerald Levert was born on 13 July 1966 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for Crank (2006), Coming to America (1988) and The Fast and the Furious (2001). He died on 10 November 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Sean Levert was born on 28 September 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for New Jack City (1991), Down in the Delta (1998) and Dope Case Pending (2000). He died on 30 March 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Larrie Londin was born on 15 October 1943 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. He is known for Tequila Sunrise (1988), Elephant Parts (1981) and Cinemax Sessions (1986). He died on 24 August 1992 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.Session drummer.- Music Department
- Actress
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Controversial, flamboyant, and spontaneous are probably the best words to describe Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Born in Philadelphia, and raised throughout the world as the daughter of a U.S. Army serviceman, Lisa Lopes became one of the most important trendsetters in the 1990s music scene. After relocating to Atlanta during her young adult years, Lopes became heavily involved in that city's thriving music industry that produced many top name acts such as Cameo, Jermaine Dupri, Xscape, and Kelly Price. However, it was Lopes and her two bandmates, Tionne "T-Boz Watkins" and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas who put Atlanta on the map. Originally starting as a trio called 'Second Nature', Watkins and Lopes were soon joined by Thomas to form 'TLC', the best-selling girl group of all time. TLC, which stood for the first initial of each member's nickname, were discovered at an Atlanta club by singer Pebbles, who immediately signed them to her label.
After breaking into the scene, TLC went on to great success under Arista's new LaFace label, which was managed by superstar producers, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and L.A. Reid, Pebble's former husband. After snatching them away from Pebbles, TLC became one of the 1990s greatest success stories due to their creative style and flamboyance. Utilizing condoms on their colorful, baggy clothes, TLC scored three major hits on their 1992 debut album, "Ooooooooh on the TLC Tip". With success at hand, Lopes ventured off into the world of stardom, and doing so brought her major headlines. In 1995, Lopes made national and international headlines after she set the home of her boyfriend, Andre Rison, ablaze after a major fight. Lopes, who was sentenced to 5 years probation and therapy at a halfway house, never was able to shake that incident from her personality, and along with Lil' Kim, became one of hip hop music's bad girls. Along with her TLC bandmates, Lopes filed for bankruptcy that same year claiming that poor royalties and an outstanding debt that was owed to Pebbles after she sued the group for breach of contract caused them to take this action.
With the release of their sophomore album, "Crazy Sexy Cool," Lopes and her TLC bandmates underwent a change from their childlike antics to a sense of maturity that represented their metamorphosis as major recording stars. That album, which became sold 11 million copies became one of that decade's biggest selling albums, netted the group two Grammy Awards, and produced three hit singles.
After promoting that album was over, Lopes decided to venture into a variety of projects that showcased her excellent ability to spot talent. She became the mentor and producer of the R&B trio Blaque, whose members saw TLC-like success with several hit singles and starring roles in the film "Bring it On". Along with Blaque, Lopes worked with other major artists who sought her talents in producing. Working with singers such as Montell Jordan, Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisolm, and NSYNC, Lopes became one of the music industry's highly sought stars due to her unique vocals and amazing style.
However, Lopes who sought a fresh new start in life after a difficult childhood, began to involve herself in holistic and spiritual practices that brought her a sense of peace and tranquility. It was during a trip to Honduras, that Lopes saw a world different from what she saw in the United States, and began to get herself involved in several projects that benefited many victims of Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1997. Building a healing hut and a child center, Lopes connected with a world that was innocent and new to her. Her sense of pride and duty were reflected by the numerous trips she took to Honduras since her encounter with an African healing doctor in the mid 1990s.
After the release and promotion of TLC's 1999 album, "Fanmail", Lopes started to shun away from her bandmates in order to develop an identity independent from that of her bandmates. Often disputing with them in public, Lopes worked hard on a solo debut album, "Supernova" which was released internationally but never released in the United States due to poor radio play. That album, produced the top 20 hit, "The Block Party" which was a big hit in the United Kingdom and Japan.
In her continuation for a change, Lopes signed a deal to release an album under the alias N.I.N.A. (Not Into Name Alternatives) with controversial producer Suge Knight. That project never came about. On Thursday, April 25 while returning from the village where she called home for the past few years, Lopes was the only fatality in a car crash that occurred when her car swerved off the road near the town of Roma, Honduras. Lopes, who was to celebrate her 31st birthday the next month, died instantly while four of the seven others who were riding in the sports utility vehicle she was driving were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Lopes, who adopted a young girl several years ago, left her motherless and left a legion of grieving, distraught fans crying for another life taken so quickly.- Andrew Love was born on 21 November 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He was an actor, known for A Family Thing (1996) and U2: Rattle and Hum (1988). He was married to Willie. He died on 12 April 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.The Memphis Horns.
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- Music Department
Teena Marie was born on 5 March 1956 in Santa Monica, California, USA. She was an actress and composer, known for Top Gun (1986), The Goonies (1985) and Maid in Manhattan (2002). She died on 26 December 2010 in Pasadena, California, USA.- Actress
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Vanity was a glamorous Canadian model and lead singer of the all-girl group "Vanity 6." She specialized in playing sultry female characters often in trouble with the law.
Vanity was born Denise Katherine Matthews in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Helga Senyk and James Levia Matthews. She was of African and German descent. Vanity first appeared on screen in the biographical tale of writer Jack London titled Klondike Fever (1979), before venturing into more gritty territory such as the slasher film Terror Train (1980), the very odd chick flick Tanya's Island (1980), a B-grade martial arts film entitled The Last Dragon (1985) and the totally weird Never Too Young to Die (1986).
However, her best two performances were as the naive stripper assisting blackmail victim Roy Scheider in the under-rated thriller 52 Pick-Up (1986) and as a seductive, smart-talking nightclub singer teaming up with cop Carl Weathers to defeat murderous car tycoon Craig T. Nelson in the violent Action Jackson (1988).
Unfortunately, the remainder of Vanity's film work was of the "straight-to-video" variety and she only scored minor roles in several low-budget thrillers such as Neon City (1991) and Da Vinci's War (1993). In late 1995, Vanity turned her back on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and dedicated her life to the Christian faith.
Vanity, who suffered from sclerosis encapsulating peritonitis, died on February 15, 2016 in Fremont, California.- Charmayne Maxwell was born on 11 January 1969 in Guyana. She was an actress, known for Brownstone: If You Love Me (1995), Brownstone: Pass the Lovin' (1994) and Midnight Mac (1995). She was married to Carsten Shack. She died on 27 February 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Brownstone.
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Rhythm and blues performer/songwriter credited with defining 1960's Chicago sound in hits like "It's All Right" and "Gypsy Woman." His style influenced other artists from pop to hip hop. Has been a quadriplegic ever since he was struck by lighting rig during outdoor concert in New York, 1990. Member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose 1968 hit "We're A Winner, " became a civil rights anthem. Two-time Grammy winner whose "Superfly" soundtrack sold more than 4 million copies.Superfly.- Music Department
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Singer, songwriter and music producer Van Allen Clinton McCoy was born on January 6, 1940, in Washington, DC. He sang with the Metropolitan Baptist Church choir when he was a kid. At age 12 he began writing his own songs and performing in local amateur shows along with his older brother, Norman Jr. He was the lead singer of the doo-wop group The Starlighters, which recorded the novelty dance record "The Birdland" in 1956. After The Starlighters broke up McCoy studied psychology for two years at Howard University before dropping out and moving to Philadelphia.
He began his own label, Rockin' Records, and released the single "Hey Mr. DJ" in 1959. This in turn led to McCoy being hired as a staff writer and A&R representative for Scepter Records. Throughout the early to mid=60s Van penned numerous hit songs for such artists as The Shirelles ("Stop the Music"), Jackie Wilson ("I Get the Sweetest Feeling"), Gladys Knight & The Pips ("Giving Up"), Betty Everett ("Getting Mighty Crowded"), Ruby & The Romantics ("When You're Young and in Love"), 'Brenda & The Tabulations' ("Right on the Tip of My Tongue"), Chris Bartley ("The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven") and Barbara Lewis ("Baby, I'm Yours"). In 1966 McCoy recorded the solo album "Nighttime Is a Lonely Time" for Columbia Records (the album was produced by Mitch Miller_. He started his own short-lived label, Vando, in 1967. In the early 1970s Van collaborated with producer and songwriter Charles Kipps on many sessions, including David Ruffin's acclaimed 1975 Motown comeback album "Who I Am." In addition, McCoy arranged several hits for the soul group The Stylistics, formed his own orchestra called Soul City Symphony and, with singers Faith Hope & Charity, recorded several albums and gave many live performances.
In 1975 Van scored an enormous smash hit with the groovy disco instrumental "The Hustle;" the song peaked at #1 on the Billboard charts in July 1975, sold well over a million copies and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Stunned by the surprise success of "The Hustle" and unhappy with his newfound status as a disco hitmaker, McCoy nonetheless recorded a few follow-up disco songs and albums that failed to replicate the substantial success of "The Hustle." He returned to writing and producing material for other artists for the remainder of his career.
Van McCoy died of a sudden massive heart attack on July 6, 1979 in Englewood, New Jersey; he was only 39 years old.The Hustle.- Actor
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Eugene McDaniels is respected by his peers, including such legends as Roberta Flack, Chick Corea, Phyllis Hyman, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight, Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Ron Carter, Aretha Franklin and B.B. King. McDaniels has written for, and with, most of his peers. He has produced for such major record companies as Ode, A&M, MGM, BMG, CBS Sony, Capitol, Motown, and many independent labels. He has had seven top-ten records in the various capacities of producer, writer and artist. In 1986 he received an award at BMI's Annual "Million Airs" function for the creation, production and publishing of a major work that has achieved over 3,000,000 performances--"Feel Like Makin' Love", originally recorded by Roberta Flack, which has now achieved over 4,000,000 performances and been recorded on nearly 400 albums. Gene's composition "Compared to What" has appeared in eight major films, including The Ice Storm (1997) starring Sigourney Weaver and Casino (1995) starring Robert De Niro, and was recently featured in an international Coca-Cola marketing campaign. Gene's first hit, "100 Pounds of Clay", reached #1 and remained on the charts for four months. Then came other recordings, which all reached the Top Five. Gene publishes his own and personal friends' music through his company Skyforest Music BMI, in New York City. Like the Japanese masters, who by age 60 recreate themselves by accepting the challenge of a new career, Gene is writing and producing film using a body of work personally created and developed by himself and his writing partner.- Composer
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Gene McFadden was born on 2 July 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a composer, known for Free Guy (2021), Carlito's Way (1993) and Creed (2015). He was married to Barbara McFadden. He died on 27 January 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.McFadden and Whitehead.- Actress
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Popular African-American vocalist and entertainer Barbara McNair dazzled audiences with her singing prowess and exceptional beauty for well over four decades until her death on February 4, 2007 of throat cancer in Los Angeles. The Chicago-born entertainer and one-time secretary was raised in Racine, Wisconsin, one of five children born to Horace and Claudia Taylor McNair. She sang in her church choir and was encouraged by her parents to pursue voice. Following music studies at the Racine Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music in her hometown Chicago, she moved to Los Angeles and attended USC before relocating once again to New York to pursue her dream.
Barbara worked her way up from typist to singer of small supper clubs to headlining large showrooms as one of America's more visible singers of the late 50s and 60s. A jazz stylist influenced by the great Sarah Vaughan at first, she gently eased into popular music. Her first big break came with a week-long gig on Arthur Godfrey's talent show, which led to bookings at The Purple Onion, The Persian Room and L.A.'s Cocoanut Grove. She began receiving invites on the TV variety circuit ('Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town," "The Dean Martin Show" and "The Tonight Show") and made it to Broadway with the musicals "The Body Beautiful" (1958) and "No Strings" (1962), replacing original star Diahann Carroll in the latter. At different times she recorded on the Coral, Signature and Motown labels resulting in such modest hits as "You're Gonna Love My Baby" and "Bobby."
In the late 60s Barbara made a choice to scout out acting roles, hoping to parlay her singing success into a movie career. The singer showed initial promise as a sexy lead alongside Raymond St. Jacques in the gritty crime drama If He Hollers, Let Him Go! (1968) in which she made news with her celebrated nude sequences. She also wore a nun's habit alongside Mary Tyler Moore in Elvis Presley's last feature film Change of Habit (1969), and appeared opposite Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs' wife in both They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) and The Organization (1971). A warm, inviting presence, she pioneered her own syndicated musical TV show The Barbara McNair Show (1969), a rarity at the time for a black entertainer, and guested on all the popular TV programs of the day including "Mission: Impossible," "Hogan's Heroes" and "I Spy."
The early 1970s were a difficult time for Barbara when offers suddenly stopped coming in and her husband/manager, who had mob affiliations, was shot and killed in 1976. Barbara went on to appear in such stage musicals as "The Pajama Game" and "Sophisticated Ladies", and was also seen in a recurring role for a time on General Hospital (1963) in later years. She was also spotted in a couple of obscure films in the 80s and 90s. Barbara's love of performing continued even in lesser venues -- cabaret clubs, cruise ships, special events and even retirement centers in Florida -- still sporting her stunning looks and vocal sparkle. In 2006 she opened for Bob Newhart in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Married four times in all, Barbara died at age 72 and was survived by husband, Charles Blecka.- Composer
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Ralph Middlebrooks was born in 1939. Ralph is a composer, known for Reindeer Games (2000), The Italian Job (2003) and Romeo Must Die (2000).The Ohio Players.- Cordell Mosson was born on 16 October 1952 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He died on 18 April 2013 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
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Johnny Otis was involved in virtually every aspect of the music business: he was a singer, musician, composer, producer, record company owner, arranger and talent scout, among others. He helped to shape the R&B genre starting in the late 1940s and stayed involved in it for over 30 years.
Otis was white, but grew up in a black neighborhood in northern California's Bay Area. He began his music career as a drummer in a swing band and by 1945 he had his own band. He could see that swing music was on its way out and downsized his band and got away from swing music and more towards R&B. It soon became one of the most popular R&B bands in the US. He traveled the country with his Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan with many early rock and R&B singers.
In 1954 he became a disc jockey and formed Dig Records. He also got his own variety show, The Johnny Otis Show (1954), on TV station KTLA in Los Angeles. He discovered Etta James and Little Esther Phillips, and with James he wrote "Roll With Me, Henry", which she recorded. It shot to #1 on the R&B charts and made her a star.
He continued performing and recording well into the 1980s, and traveled the US and Europe performing at jazz and blues festivals.Willie and the Hand Jive.- Music Department
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King Curtis was born on 7 February 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. He is known for The Last King of Scotland (2006), Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Withnail & I (1987). He was married to Ethelyn. He died on 13 August 1971 in New York City, New York, USA.Session musician.- Edward Patten was born on 2 August 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for Gladys Knight & The Pips: Bourgie, Bourgie (1980), Gladys Knight & The Pips: Taste of Bitter Love (1980) and Gladys Knight & The Pips: Save the Overtime (For Me) (1983). He was married to Renee Ivory Patten and Katherine. He died on 25 February 2005 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.Gladys Knight & The Pips.
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Billy Paul was born on 1 December 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Beautiful Girls (1996), Coneheads (1993) and Breakfast on Pluto (2005). He was married to Blanche Williams. He died on 24 April 2016 in Blackwood, New Jersey, USA.- Actor
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Teddy Pendergrass was born on 26 March 1950 in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for The Nutty Professor (1996), Undercover Brother (2002) and 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002). He was married to Joan Pendergrass and Karen Still. He died on 13 January 2010 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA.- Actor
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Wilson Pickett was born on 18 March 1941 in Prattville, Alabama, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for The Commitments (1991), Road House (1989) and Forrest Gump (1994). He was married to Bonnie Covington. He died on 19 January 2006 in Reston, Virginia, USA.Guess you better slow your Mustang down.- Bill Pinkney was born on 15 August 1925 in Dalzell, South Carolina, USA. He died on 4 July 2007 in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.The Drifters.
- Fayette Pinkney was born on 10 January 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for Sanford and Son (1972), Musik aus Studio B (1961) and The Dick Emery Special (1979). She died on 27 June 2009 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA.Three Degrees.
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June Antoinette Pointer was born on November 30, 1953 in Oakland, California to Reverend Elton Pointer and his wife Sarah. She was the youngest member of the hugely popular and successful soul/R&B group The Pointer Sisters. June attended Edison Elementary School, Elmhurst Junior High, and Castlemont High School. She received an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College. June began her professional singing career at age sixteen along with her sister Bonnie; they formed a duo called Pointers, A Pair. June's other sister Anita joined the act in 1969 and the duo became a trio. The group eventually formed into a quartet when Ruth Pointer joined in 1972. The Pointer Sisters went on to have a steady succession of hit songs throughout the 70s and 80s. June released the solo album "Baby Sister" in 1983; the song "Ready for Some Action" was a Top 30 R&B radio hit. June sang the song "Little Boy Sweet" on the soundtrack of the hilarious smash comedy "National Lampoon's Vacation." In 1986 she sang back-up vocals on the 1987 Top 5 hit cover of "Respect Yourself" by Bruce Willis and in 1987 she sang a duet with Dionne Warwick on the song "Heartbreak of Love" for Warwick's album "Reservations for Two." In 1989 June released her self-titled second solo album; the song "Tight on Time (I'll Fit U In)" was a good-sized R&B radio hit. She had a sizable role as Marsha in the 1995 film "French Exit." Alas, June had problems with drug addiction and was ousted from The Pointer Sisters in 2004 (she was also arrested for cocaine possession that same year). June Pointer died from cancer at the tragically young age of 52 on April 11, 2006 in Los Angeles, California.- Maxine Powell was born on 30 May 1915 in Texarkana, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for Reunion (2010), E! Mysteries & Scandals (1998) and Soul Power! (2013). She died on 14 October 2013 in Southfield, Michigan, USA.Miss Manners of Motown.
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Billy Preston was born on 9 September 1946 in Houston, Texas, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), Beautiful Girls (1996) and Baby Driver (2017). He died on 6 June 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.Will it go round in circles?- Actor
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Rawls was born on 1st December 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. His father abandoned his family and Lou was raised by his grandmother. His first meeting with music was when he was seven years old, in a Baptist church choir. He was mostly influenced by the Chicago Regal theatre where he had the opportunity to see the best in black entertainment. Billy Eckstine and Arthur Prysock were only two of the best that Lou saw. He and classmate, Sam Cooke, would harmonize in the school lavatory. He graduated from Dunbar Tech. School and joined the touring gospel singing group, the Pilgrim Travelers. He left the group in 1956 and joined the US Army and became a Sergeant with the Screaming Eagle Paratroopers. In 1958, he was involved in a serious auto accident that killed one and Rawls was pronounced dead on on the way to the hospital. Lou remained in a coma for over five days and suffered a memory loss for several months. Sam Cooke was also in the automobile and was left uninjured. Rawls was first noticed by Capitol Records producer Nick Benet after noticing his four octave range while performing at a Pandora's Los Angeles coffee shop. He went on to perform at a number of LA clubs and later made his debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 1959 with Dick Clark. He went solo in 1964 and has won four Grammys. In the mid 70s, he joined the Anheuser Busch Brewery as a corporate spokesman. Since 1980, he has presented a series of world wide concerts for American military bases that were co-sponsored by Anheuser Busch, the USO, and the US Dept. Of Defense. During Christmas of 1983, he toured US bases in the Phillipines, Korea and Japan. He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for black colleges and, every year, he sponsors a celebrity golf tournament in LA to raise money for the United Negro College Fund. South Wentworth Street in Chicago was renamed Lou Rawls Drive in his honor. The talented Rawls is also the singing voice of the animated fickle feline "Garfield".You'll never find another love like mine.- Composer
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Eugene Record was born on 23 December 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a composer, known for Taxi (2004), Get Carter (2000) and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). He was married to Barbara Acklin and Jackie Record. He died on 22 July 2005 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.The Chi-Lites.- Music Artist
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Otis Redding was born on 9 September 1941 in Dawson, Georgia, USA. He was a music artist and composer, known for Top Gun (1986), Hamburger Hill (1987) and Road House (1989). He was married to Zelma Redding. He died on 10 December 1967 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.- Actor
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Singer, songwriter, and music producer Clarence Henry Reid began his career in the music industry doing acceptable and respectable mainstream commercial R&B fare in the 1960's and 1970's, but it was his outrageously raunchy and profane alter ego of no-holds-barred parodist Blowfly whereby Reid made his greatest and most lasting impact as one of the more colorful and idiosyncratic practitioners of American outsider music.
Reid was born on February 14, 1939 in rural Cochran, Georgia. Clarence grew up in a poor family and received little in the way of a formal education. Reid first started coming up with filthy parody versions of popular hit songs when he was seven years old and working as a sharecropper in the fields of Georgia after dropping out of grade school. Clarence eventually moved to Florida in the mid-1960's and continued to work doing menial jobs while establishing an initial foothold in the music industry. Reid eventually secured a steady gig as a staff songwriter for Deep City Records in Miami, Florida. Moreover, Clarence also pursued a solo singing career on the side with strictly modest results, although his self-pressed release of his song "Blowfly's Rapp" in 1964 has been widely cited as one of the first ever known instances of a rap song in existence. (Reid eventually did a much more explicit version of this song called "Rapp Dirty" in 1980.) Among the notable songs that Reid had a hand in writing and/or producing are "Clean Up Woman" by Betty Wright and 'Rockin' Chair" by Gwen McCrae. In addition, Clarence played a key role in shaping the sound of KC & The Sunshine Band as well as wrote songs for such major soul artists as Wilson Pickett and Sam & Dave.
However, in 1971 Reid launched a whole new career for himself after recording and releasing an entire album of dirty songs called "The Weird World of Blowfly" under the alternate name of Blowfly. In an attempt to avoid jeopardizing his mainstream musical career, Clarence appeared on the album cover as a kind of wacky superhero wearing a mask and bodysuit in order to hide his actual identity. Said mask and bodysuit would go on to become key trademarks of Reid's Blowfly persona. Although his lewd and lascivious song parodies not surprisingly failed to receive much in the way of play on commercial radio stations, Clarence/Blowfly nonetheless became a significant cult figure in the world of outsider music with over twenty party albums released altogether over the course of several decades (his 1980 album "Blowfly's Party" even went all the way to #26 on Billboard magazine's Black Albums chart).
Alas, not everyone appreciated Reid's cheerfully bawdy brand of musical parody. For example, songwriter Stanley Adams sued Clarence over his send-up of his song "What a Difference a Day Makes" called "What a Difference a Lay Makes." Moreover, Reid earned no money in royalties from various musical artists who sampled his songs throughout the years due to the fact that he had to sign away the rights to his publishing catalog in 2003 in order to pay off debts. Moreover, in 2014 Clarence had to raise money through an online crowfunding campaign in order to save his home from foreclosure. Reid died from liver cancer at age 76 at a hospice facility in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida on January 17, 2016. Although he's sadly no longer with us, Clarence and his infamous alter ego of Blowfly will continue to forever tickle our funny bones in the best and most dirty way possible.Blowfly.- Actress
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Izora Rhodes-Armstead is an American singer-songwriter. The duo, consisting of singers Izora Armstead and Martha Wash, originally served as Sylvester's backup singers. Later changing their name to The Two Tons and finally The Weather Girls, the duo reached their peak of popularity in 1982 with the international hit "It's Raining Men", which sold over 6 million copies worldwide and was included the following year in their album Success. The duo disbanded in 1988; however, Armstead premiered a new version of The Weather Girls in 1990, together with her daughter Dynell Rhodes. With Wash pursuing a solo career, Izora Armstead moved to Germany in the early 1990s where she and her daughter Dynelle Rhodes re-formed The Weather Girls. They released three albums: "Double Tons of Fun" (1993), "Think Big!" (1995), and "Puttin' On The Hits" (1998). In 2002, they joined the "Disco Brothers" for a participation in the German National Final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with their song "Get Up". In the end, the group only managed a 13th place out of 15. Their final single, the non-album track "Big Brown Girl", was released in 2004.The Weather Girls.- Composer
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Mack Rice was born on 10 November 1933 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA. He was a composer, known for Road House (1989), The Brave One (2007) and Miss Congeniality (2000). He was married to Laura. He died on 27 June 2016 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.Singer-songwriter.- Composer
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Deke Richards was born on 8 April 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), The Italian Job (2003) and Phenomenon (1996). He died on 24 March 2013 in Bellingham, Washington, USA.Songwriter, producer.- Cynthia Robinson was born on 12 January 1944 in Sacramento, California, USA. She died on 23 November 2015 in Carmichael, California, USA.Sly and the Family Stone.
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Beautiful, vibrant, and talented actress and singer Vicki Sue Robinson was born on May 31, 1954 in Harlem, New York City and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of white folk singer Jolly Robinson and black Shakespearean actor Bill Robinson. (Robinson was actually part white, part black, and part Native American.) Vicki made her first public appearance at age six in 1960 singing harmonies with her mother on stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. At age sixteen Robinson was featured as a cast member in the Broadway stage production of the hit hippie counterculture musical "Hair." (Her other stage credits include a 1973 Broadway stage production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar," plus stage productions of the plays "Soon," "Long Time Coming, Long Time Gone," and "Voices from the Third World.") Vicki made her professional singing debut singing backing vocals on Todd Rundgren's album "Something, Anything." She acted in the movies "Going Home," "To Find a Man," "Hoodlums," and "Red Lipstick."
Robinson scored her greatest smash success with the rousing disco anthem "Turn the Beat Around" in 1976; the song was a #1 hit on the disco charts and peaked at #10 on the Billboard pop charts. Vicki was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Turn the Beat Around" and was named the best new disco artist of the year by "Billboard" magazine. Although she never managed to either match or surpass the success of "Turn the Beat Around," Vicki nonetheless still had a long, varied and respectable show business career throughout the 80's and 90's. She contributed the pulsating tune "Nighttime Fantasy" to the soundtrack of the flop vampire horror comedy "Nocturna." Robinson not only sang commercial jingles for such high profile clients as Gillette Razors, General Motors, Maybelline, Sprite, Downey Fabric Softener, Doublemint Gum, and Folgers Coffee, but also worked as a session singer on albums for such artists as Cher, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, and RuPaul. (She also sang backing vocals on Irene Cara's 1980 monster hit song "Fame.") In 1983 Vicki had a Top 5 hit in Australia with her disco cover of the classic Lulu song "To Sir, With Love." She supplied the singing voice for actress Kath Soucie on the cartoon TV series "Jem." The substantial success of Gloria Estefan's 1994 cover of "Turn the Beat Around" sparked a resurgence in Robinson's career: She not only made guest appearances on numerous talk shows, but also recorded the song "My Stomp, My Beat" for the soundtrack of the film "Chasing Amy," embarked on a well-received world tour with fellow disco veterans Gloria Gayner, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Thelma Houston, and the Village People, and starred in her own acclaimed Off-Broadway stage show called "Vicki Sue Robinson: Behind the Beat" in 1999. Vicki Sue Robinson died from cancer at the tragically young age of 45 on April 27, 2000 at her home in Wilton, Connecticut.Turn the Beat Around.- Actor
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Bobby Rogers was born on 19 February 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Black Rain (1989), X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) and Friday (1995). He was married to Joan Hughes and Wanda Rogers. He died on 3 March 2013 in Southfield, Michigan, USA.The Miracles.- Music Department
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Alan Rubin was born on 11 February 1943 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Blues Brothers (1980), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) and Nightlife (1986). He was married to Mary Moreno Rubin. He died on 8 June 2011 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.The Saturday Night Live Band.
The Blues Brothers.- Actor
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The man most of us know by his unmistakable, calming yet disturbed raspy voice was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi. His father, Eli Ruffin, was a Baptist minister. Only months after his birth his mother Ophelia Ruffin died, and his father later remarried, to a schoolteacher.
David began singing and touring at a very young age with his father and siblings in a gospel group. Leaving home at 13 to pursue the ministry, it was David's select showmanship that caught the eyes of some in the secular music industry. He then moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was signed to Anna Records in 1960 and then Check-Mate Records in 1961. David didn't have hits with either label, but they were good showcases for his vocal ability and talent. In 1964 he joined The Temptations, who had yet to chart a hit, at Motown Records. The "Tempts"' hitless status changed in March of 1965 with the classic "My Girl", on which David sang lead. The song stayed at #1 for eight weeks, and the rest is history. The same showmanship that brought David into the R&B industry caught the attention of fans around the world. His stage performance was dynamic. His dramatic hand gestures and slipping out of chorus to fall to his knees wasn't all this tall, slender man wearing black-framed glasses could do. His voice proved to be powerful, as he went on to sing lead on Temptations hits that brought joy and happiness in the turbulent times of the 1960s. These times also proved to be turbulent for the group, however. Tensions arose when David asked for billing before the group, a practice common among vocal groups of the time. Not only did David not get his name above the group's, but he was dismissed from the group in 1968. He was Still under contract at Motown, though, and his solo career got off to a promising start with the ballad "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me"). Subsequent releases failed, however, as did duets with his brother Jimmy Ruffin. Few of the songs charted and he blamed Motown for not properly promoting his music. In 1979 he left the label and went to Warner Brothers, where his career unfortunately went into a complete decline.
He later rejoined The Temptations for a reunion tour, but after that he fell obscurity, and his personal life also took a downward spiral when it came to light that he was suffering from substance abuse and depression. He eventually reunited with former Temptations colleague Eddie Kendricks (who was now also a solo artist) in 1986, and they began touring and performing with 'Artists Against Apartheid', Live-Aid, and Hall & Oates. In 1989 Otis Williams was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and David and Eddie begin touring with ex-Temptation Dennis Edwards. Weeks after the tour ended, David was dropped off at a Philadelphia hospital and an hour later the man who sang the biographical tune "Statue Of a Fool" from every bit of his heart and soul was pronounced dead. While the official cause of death was ruled a cocaine overdose, his family has come to believe that foul play was involved. When the world lost David Ruffin, it lost a life too short-lived, a heavenly voice, and a whimsical, charismatic man. He had one of the most recognizable voices in music. The joy and sadness in his songs can be felt by all. David's voice will continue to bridge the generation gap just as it crossed the color lines in the sixties and seventies. Legends are never forgotten and David Ruffin IS a musical LEGEND.The Temptations.- Actor
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Jimmy Ruffin was born on 7 May 1936 in Collinsville, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for Breakfast on Pluto (2005), Forever Mine (1999) and JAG (1995). He died on 17 November 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.- Composer
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Clarence Satchell was born on 15 April 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a composer, known for Reindeer Games (2000), The Italian Job (2003) and Romeo Must Die (2000). He died on 30 December 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, USA.The Ohio Players.- Composer
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Gil Scott-Heron was born on 1 April 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for State of Play (2009), Dope (2015) and Undercover Brother (2002). He was married to Brenda Sykes. He died on 27 May 2011 in New York, New York, USA.- Music Department
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Alabama-born Percy Sledge had a somewhat unusual introduction to the music business. Working as an orderly in a local hospital, he was touring with a local band called the Esquires Combo on weekends and working at the hospital during the week. A former patient at the hospital who knew both Sledge and local record producer Quin Ivy introduced them to each other. Ivy was impressed with Sledge's emotional style of singing and signed him to a recording contract. Sledge hit it big with his first record, the classic "When a Man Loves a Woman", released by Atlantic Records, which went on to become a worldwide hit (and, incidentally, the first Atlantic record to go gold). Although Sledge never had another hit as big as "When a Man Loves a Woman," he did manage to place several follow-up records on the charts. He still tours today, and has an especially large following in Europe.