Leon Huff
Alright, I admit it. There’s more Philly Soul covered in this column than music from any other soul capitol. There are a few reasons for that, the primary one being…
The Ebonys had some chart success but never quite got the break they needed to really break through
Founded by two brothers of Solomon Burke, this Philadelphia group had to go overseas to find true success
The Formations never had a hit but their records paved the way for the Sound of Philadelphia
In 1969 two of Motown’s greatest groups teamed up for a smash single
Benny Spellman came from Florida but became a legend in New Orleans
A leading figure in the rise of Philly Soul, Bunny Sigler scored his own hit in ’67
The funky People’s Choice scored big in ’71 and bigger in ’75
In 1979 the songwriting and producing team stepped out for a smash of their own
Gene Chandler’s extraordinary career spanned the doo-wop, r&b, soul, and disco eras.
Patty & the Emblems are best remembered for the songwriter who wrote their biggest hit
Billy Paul’s career was not limited to one hit single
Paying tribute to a recently departed soul legend
The Pride of Providence scored a big hit in ’66
The Intruders weren’t the biggest but they were the first for Gamble & Huff
One great song, three great versions. Which is your favorite?
Barbara Mason had an early Philly Soul hit in ’65
Wilson Pickett had a storied career with Atlantic Records in the ’60s.
Even in an era of dance crazes not every one took off
The Intruders were one of the most important groups in soul music history.
Archie Bell & the Drells weren’t shy about telling you where they were from. Their highly influential hit “Tighten Up” was released in 1968.
The O’Jays are best known as a hit-making trio, but they started as a quintet, and had one of their earliest hits as a quartet.
The Three Degrees had been around for more than ten years by the time they hit it big in 1974.
Jerry Butler has had a lot of hits over the course of his illustrious career, but it was a lesser-known 1967 single that found a place in Ken Shane’s heart.
When the conversation turns to great soul singers, Joe Simon’s name is not mentioned nearly enough. Ken Shane makes the case for the legendary hit maker.
In 1982, Teddy Pendergrass was on top of the music world when he performed in London. A few weeks later, a tragic car accident changed everything.
Retro-soul is a musical style in which contemporary artists attempt to recapture the sound and feel of the great soul music of the ’60s and early ’70s. Musical touchstones include…
The mayor of Bootleg City is back! And in case you have no idea who that is, the mayor is me! Thank you, thank you, you’re too kind. But if…