Saying goodbye to the Queen of Soul with a prayer from 1968
Sam Cooke
Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s influence extended well beyond his hit records
Jewel Akens was a one-hit wonder, but what a hit it was
A revived group of Ovations with a new lineup scored a hit in 1972
Can a song change the world? Popular music has always been looked on as something of a disposable pleasure: reflective of its times, sure, but meant to be played among…
Saying goodbye to a dreadful year with the ultimate party anthem
When the world was waiting for another Mary Wells hit Jackie Ross stepped up
At one time or another Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, and Sir Mack Rice were members of the Falcons
Billy Paul’s career was not limited to one hit single
The Fantastic Johnny C scored with a funky hit in ’67
The stars aligned in Muscle Shoals and produced a big hit for R.B. Greaves
Leon Haywood has had more than 20 R&B hits in a long and varied career.
Superstars, secret stars, rising stars, and a ghost from the past hovering over it all.
“Will It Go Round In Circles” was one of the biggest hits in a legendary career
Ken Shane pays tribute to Percy Sledge, the great Southern soul singer who we lost this week
Two new collections document the work of legendary artists on a legendary label
When Sam Cooke died in ’64 he left behind his most important song
Johnnie Taylor covered Jimmy Hughes and made it his own
L.C. Cooke finally gets his due with a new collection
A great artist was lost last week when Bobby Womack died
One unforgettable song made Mel Carter immortal
A countdown of ten artists who broke away from their old groups and went on to release great music in their own right.
Bobby Womack has entered the twilight of his legendary career
Lou Rawls is remembered as a great entertainer. He was an equally great soul singer.
Rock band Hacienda’s latest album is produced by Dan Auerbach. Their Desert Island Discs come from a variety of influences, as one would expect. Check ’em out!
Barry White was a big star in every way in the ’70s. His songs remain part of our lives to this day.
Randy Newman helps out in the first in a series of weekly middle fingers to the world.