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Biography

Friday, April 11, 2008

The Three Degrees Touch Angelic Harmony

Valerie Holiday, Helen Scott, and Cynthia Garrison are the golden voices of The Three Degrees.

The ladies have 2008 tour plans with possible touch-downs in Hawaii, Japan, and Europe.

You have to go all the way back to Philadelphia, PA in 1963 for the genesis of the original group: Fayette Pinckney, Linda Turner, and Shirley Poole.

There have been plenty of personnel changes through the years, although Helen and Valerie have been with the group since 1976.  Helen was a late 1963 addition who left close to 1966, but returned a decade later.

You’ll probably remember “When Will I See You Again” as their biggest hit.

Before success on Philadelphia International Records, The Three Degrees released songs on 5 different labels.

When you graze through The Three Degrees Biography at their official web site, you’ll discover the British icon who named these ladies as his favorite group.

I’ll recommend these 4 tracks from the Three Degrees catalog:

  • “Love Is The Message” (with MFSB)
  • “When Will I See You Again”
  • “Maybe” (excellent cover of the Chantels hit with a rap to boot)
  • “We’re All Alone” (heavenly harmonies expanding the Boz Scaggs song)

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Posted by King on 04/11 at 12:02 AM
Biography • Songs • Website • (1) Comments • Permalink

Monday, March 24, 2008

Heatwave Hits & Video Memories

Brothers Johnnie and Keith Wilder were the core of Heatwave, the “Always And Forever” crew, who put together a team of gifted international musicians to deliver some jammin’ grooves.

Johnnie and Keith, Dayton, Ohio natives, fine-tuned their classic soul funk in Germany, following a tour of Army duty in the U.S. military.

Positive club exposure in London captured for Heatwave their first record deal.

1976’s Too Hot To Handle album, Heatwave’s first release, included both “Always And Forever,” and the dance classic “Boogie Nights."

You can find a collection of Heatwave videos on their official web site.

Tragically, Johnnie Wilder Jr. passed away at age 56, closing a long chapter of success for the original group.

Check out the Johnnie Wilder Jr. video remembrance, as well as the following videos below.  Warning: you won’t be able to stop or control the clips once they start, but the content in the official Heatwave video archive is worth it...


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Posted by King on 03/24 at 12:02 AM
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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Betty Wright Knocks Out the Clean Up Woman

When 19 year old Betty Wright released the classic soul hit “Clean Up Woman” in 1972, the song launched an expressive career for the Miami, Florida teenager.

With over 18 albums to her credit, Betty continues to belt out the tracks today.

She was only 15 when her first album, “My First Time Around,” was released on Atlantic’s Atco record label.

The majority of Miss Wright’s success came with a string of hits following “Clean Up Woman.” Betty’s voice projected playfulness, confidence, wisdom, and maturity beyond her years.

Singing with a tone of innocence to compliment a touch of raw vocal power, her musical stories stood out with entertaining and believable themes.

Betty Wright is one of the best representing the “Florida” soul sound.

Here are my top 4 Betty Wright songs:

  1. “Clean Up Woman”
  2. “Where Is The Love”
  3. “Tonight Is The Night”
  4. “Baby Sitter”

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Posted by King on 03/20 at 12:02 AM
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Sister Kathy Sledge is Family

Sister Sledge lead singer Kathy Sledge recently launched a new web site featuring audio, video, and historical highlights of her own solo career.

Kathy is pictured here with her 10 piece band.

Tag along with this Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, and get busy inside the wonderful world of Kathy Sledge.  We Are Family!

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Posted by King on 03/04 at 06:30 PM
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Monday, February 18, 2008

Dyke & The Blazers Classic Soul Funk

When you think about the creators of funk, James Brown always comes to mind.

Dyke & The Blazers are another legendary late 1960’s funk ensemble, often compared to the Godfather of Soul.

Wilson Pickett covered Dyke’s “Funky Broadway,” resulting in an even bigger hit for the wicked one.

Watch the 3 minute 4 second story of Dyke & The Blazers, produced by PowerhouseRadio.com.

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Posted by King on 02/18 at 12:02 AM
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Billy Ocean Navigates Rough Water for New Musical Shores

Billy Ocean has recorded a new song “Chained,” for the forthcoming Wilburforce 200 album A Change is Gonna Come, due for a February 25th release.

Billy recently performed at the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues festival on January 26th, in Montego Bay.  This show also featured a controversial appearance by Diana Ross.

Billy Ocean is the biggest selling British black artist of all time.

During a 30+ year career, he has sold in excess of 30 million singles and albums worldwide.  Most of his success came in the 1980’s.

Billy, birth name: Leslie Sebastian Charles, was born on January 21, 1950, in Fyzabad on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad.

In 1958 his family immigrated to England in search of work, settling in the East End of London.

His first single was released under his own name Les Charles in 1971. In 1975, adopting the name Billy Ocean, he signed a production deal that resulted in little commercial success.

Billy’s first album, Billy Ocean, was released in 1976 and contained four singles that generated increasing attention in the UK.

After another 1979 release, an additional record on CBS, and much touring in the early 1980’s, Ocean finally exploded in September 1984, renaming the single “European Queen” and re-releasing it as “Caribbean Queen."

"Carribbean Queen” would sell a million copies on the international stage and win a Grammy Award.

A 3rd version of the song called “African Queen” was recorded for the African music market cresting on their charts for 10 weeks.

In 1985, Ocean toured America for the very first time, including a gig at JFK stadium in Philadelphia as part of Live Aid on July 13th.

1986 brought more success with “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” and “Love Zone."

Billy spent most of 1987 recording his next album. One song from the record, “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” caused some controversy when it was released as a single in 1988.

Despite reaching # 3 in the U.K., British radio nearly banned the song because a national newspaper implied that “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” referenced child molestation.

Billy explained that while growing up as a teenager none of his friends drove cars, most of them rode scooters, so a song called “Get outta my dreams, get onto my scooter” just wouldn’t have worked.

After years of hard work and well-earned success, Billy decided to take time away from the music business and devote himself to his family.

A “Greatest Hits” collection was released in September 1989, becoming Ocean’s biggest selling UK album going platinum.

By 1993 the music scene had changed and Billy’s next studio album had changed with it. “Time To Move On” was recorded in Chicago with R. Kelly, who had been a long time admirer.

A new image accompanied the album with a younger looking Billy Ocean sporting dreadlocks following his conversion to the Rastafarian religion.

In September 1998 Jive Records issued Love Is For Ever, a 24 track double album covering much more of Billy’s back catalogue.

Ocean continued to stay out of the limelight for the next few years, performing once at the South Africa Freedom Day concert on Sunday, April 29th, 2001.

The Freedom Day concert held in London’s Trafalgar Square honored the 7th anniversary of South Africa’s free elections.

Billy Ocean continues to live in England and enjoys spending time with his family, gardening at his home in Berkshire and performing around the globe with the Ebony Steel Orchestra.

Visit Billy Ocean’s official web site for more Billy Ocean lore.

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Posted by King on 02/06 at 12:02 AM
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Rhythm King Ike Turner Dies at 76

Ike Turner, an R&B and rock innovator, has passed away at the age of 76.

Ike & Tina Turner were shocking audiences 40 years ago with an explosive show featuring the leggy lady Ikettes, Tina’s dynamic moves, and Ike’s slave driver dominance of the band.

His abuse of Tina Turner is well documented in the movie, What’s Love Got To Do With It.

Ike formed his first band, the Kings of Rhythm, while he was still in school.  He played guitar on some early rock and roll hits in the 1950’s, including the song “Rocket 88” in 1951 by saxophonist Jackie Brenston, (recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis).

By 1956, Tina Turner became a vocalist with Ike, and in 1958, the same year they were married, she became the band’s lead vocalist.

Between 1958 and 1966, Ike and Tina worked hard to establish their reputation as gifted electric entertainers.

Producer Phil Spector gave them their first big break leading to international success in 1966, with “River Deep, Mountain High,” a #3 hit in the U.K.  Despite the global acceptance of “River Deep, Mountain High,” the song did not connect as well with American audiences.

By 1969, Ike and Tina were recording cover songs originally performed by Sly & The Family Stone, and The Beatles.  Another cover, “Proud Mary” from Creedence Clearwater Revival’s songbook propelled the duo to #4 on the U.S. charts in 1971.

Just this year, Ike Turner won a 2007 Grammy Award in the traditional blues album category for Risin’ with The Blues.

Ike will probably be most remembered as a tragic figure.  Despite exceptional musical talent, his demons of drug addition and wife-abusing are always going to be associated with his legend.

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Posted by King on 12/12 at 04:30 PM
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Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Dells Stay In Your Corner

The Dells are among a small group of unique vocal groups who bridged the transition between 1950’s doo-wop and 1970’s classic soul.

3 Delights from The Dells:

  1. “Oh What A Night”
  2. “Stay In My Corner”
  3. “I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue”

Like Ray, Goodman and Brown, (formerly The Moments), The Dells borrowed from the harmonies of the doo-wop era, creatively integrating fresh vocals into the changing style of R&B as the group moved forward.

"Stay In My Corner” was a #1 R&B hit for The Dells in 1968.

"Oh What A Night” was a #1 R&B hit for the group in 1969.  The Dells first recorded the song in 1956 reaching #4 on the R&B charts using the song title “Oh What A Nite."

Through 1992, The Dells had 47 charted R&B hits.  Travel through the years with The Mighty Dells on their official web site to discover their amazing story.

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Posted by King on 11/15 at 12:02 AM
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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Angela Bofill Battles Life Beyond Music

After a couple of massive strokes, Angela Bofill continues rehabilitation treatment on the road to recovery.

Additional details are available on the official Angela Bofill web site.

Quite a bit has been written since her first stroke in 2006 about how her lack of health insurance has affected her ability to receive adequate health care.

The music community has rallied around her cause with financial donations.

Other friends have become involved in her plight by bringing awareness of her specific situation to the national U.S. health care debate - and the fact that many people don’t have any health insurance.

Ms. Bofill was 24 years old when she recorded her first album, Angie on the Arista GRP label in 1978.

She was born in New York City, grew up in the West Bronx, and attended Hunter High School, Manhattan School of Music, and Hartford Conservatory of Music.

Angie has one of those rare cross-over voices, equally suited for R&B or jazz.  She’s performed with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderly, and others.

On his new 2007 release Missing You, Peabo Bryson tackles Angela’s classic, “I Try,” a song that she wrote.  Her stellar version, on the record Angel of The Night, is still the best rendering of this torch song.

Her are 3 Angela Bofill albums you’ll love:

  1. Angel of The Night
  2. Platinum & Gold Collection
  3. Angie

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Posted by King on 11/06 at 12:02 AM
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Thursday, September 20, 2007

Classic Soul Legend Betty Lavette to release The Scene of The Crime

Betty (also known as Bettye) Lavette is a stealth classic soul artist who has flown below the radar screen of many lovers of R&B.

The Detroit, Michigan performer is scheduled to release a new album on Tuesday, September 25, 2007.

A club and “chitlin circuit” veteran, Lavette recorded “My Man, He’s A Lovin’ Man” and “You’ll Never Change” for Atlantic Records in 1962.

After Atlantic, next stop was LuPine, a label that eventually when out of business.  She recorded for a string of other record labels in the 1960’s, but was forced to make the majority of her income from the club circuit.

In 1969, Betty Lavette recorded Joe South’s “Games People Play” in Nashville, a song highly regarded as a southern country soul classic.

By 1971, it was back to Atlantic and their sister label Atco, where she recorded “Heart of Gold."

Lavette next called Epic Records home in 1975, and cut Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors.” Projects for West End Records, Motown, Street King, and the Motor City label were to follow.

Betty Lavette albums:

  • Easier To Say Than Do - Charly
  • Tell Me A Lie - Motown
  • Nearer To You - Charly
  • Let Me Down Easy (live) - Munich
  • A Woman Like Me - Blues Express
  • I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise - Anti
  • Take Another Little Piece of My Heart - Varese Sarabande

If you are a Betty Lavette fan, what’s your favorite song from her catalog?

A true survivor, Betty presses on with 2007’s The Scene of The Crime.

Catch all of the drama inside of the Betty Lavette story by visiting her official website.

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Posted by King on 09/20 at 07:30 AM
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Bobby Byrd’s Glow was James Brown’s Brightest Flame

Bobby, Maceo, Fred, Clyde, and Bootsy.

Inside most of his funky hits during the 1970s, James Brown triumphantly mentions at least one of his band partners during the jam session.

The notable 5 include bassist Bootsy Collins, drummer Clyde Stubblefield, horn players Fred Wesley & Maceo Parker, and vocalist/keyboard player Bobby Byrd.

Byrd passed away on September 12, 2007.  His biggest solo hit was, “I Know You Got Soul,” but he’s primarily remembered for trading “shout outs” with James Brown during several memorable funk sessions.

6 of Bobby Byrd’s Best:

  1. “I Know You Got Soul” (solo)
  2. “I Need Help” (solo)
  3. “Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved” (with James Brown)
  4. “Soul Power” (with James Brown)
  5. “Talking Loud and Saying Nothing” (with James Brown)
  6. “Sex Machine” (live version with James Brown)

The Hip hop mc/dj duo of Eric B. & Rakim sampled “I Know You Got Soul” in 1986 to reincarnate the Bobby Byrd anthem on the dance floor.

Hugh Gregory’s biography of Bobby Byrd picks up the Byrd story in 1953, when he was lead singer and pianist in the Gospel Starlighters.  Gregory mentions that James Brown joined Byrd’s group that same year.

Brown convinced Byrd to musically move the group from gospel to R&B, so they changed the name from Gospel Starlighters to the Famous Flames.

When the Flames and James Brown parted ways, Byrd joined Soul Brother Number One’s new band, the JB’s.

As a vocalist, Bobby Byrd’s light did not shine as brightly as James Brown’s, but Byrd in collaboration with “Mr. Dynamite” produced some of the funkiest tracks in the history of classic soul.

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Posted by King on 09/18 at 12:02 AM
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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Beat-Master Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley’s publicist says the singer is hospitalized and in “guarded” condition after suffering a stroke.

He’s in intensive care and his condition is listed as guarded.

Diddley is a 78 year old pop music icon of enormous influence, who continues to perform and thrill fans.  His last performance was this past Sunday, May 13, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

His songs have been covered and recorded by the Rolling Stones, the Animals, Manfred Mann, the Kinks, the Yardbirds, Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Doors, Tom Rush, and Bob Seger, (among many others).

Diddley’s custom-made rectangular guitar, and his playing style, complete with distorted amplification, became a trademark by the mid 1950’s.

He was born in McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928.  Ellas McDaniel, also known as Bo, received his nickname from his early years as a boxer.  He played the blues clubs of Chicago, Illinois, in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Diddley’s early legendary recordings were made for the Chess label.  His collection of hits include “Who Do You Love,” “Hey! Bo Diddley,” “Pretty Thing,” and “Hush Your Mouth.”

Bo played on several Chuck Berry classics including “Memphis, Tennessee,” and “Sweet Little Rock N’ Roller.” Diddley’s 1959 “Say Man” was a rap styled dialogue 20 years ahead of its time.

In 1962, he performed for President John F. Kennedy at a private set at the White House.  He toured Great Britain in the 1960’s and 1970’s, performing on shows with the Everly Brothers, the Rolling Stones, and the Clash.

Diddley continued his presence through the 1980’s, with a film appearance in Eddie Murphy’s Trading Places (1983).

Bo’s music was featured in films including La Bamba (1987), and Dirty Dancing, (1987).  Diddley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

He performed for President George Bush at the Inaugural Gala in 1989.  Diddley rocked at 1992’s Democratic National Convention celebration for Bill Clinton.

In February of 1996, Bo Diddley received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, an acknowledgment, for among other accomplishments, pioneering the famous “Bo Diddley beat.”

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Posted by King on 05/17 at 08:30 AM
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Vanessa Williams Hits the High Notes

When Vanessa Williams pulls a rabbit out of her talented hat, the emerging bunny is no one trick pony.

The former Miss America has topped the music charts, scored on Broadway, excelled in television, excited in movies, and mesmerized magnificently in music videos.

Her official biography emphasizes what an important role music played in her early years...

"Both her parents are music teachers who recognized her musical gifts early on and encouraged her to pursue her love of the arts.  When she was young, she acted, danced, played piano and French horn in her high school orchestra, concert band and marching band, concert choir, and chorus."

"Her early interest in performing led to a passion for musical theatre, which began in school and continued as she went on to star in numerous community theatre productions."

"Vanessa won a Presidential Scholarship in Drama and chose to continue her education at Syracuse University, where she majored in musical theatre.  While at college in 1983, Vanessa was sought after by local talent scouts who invited her to participate in the Miss Greater Syracuse Pageant."

"Three months later, Vanessa won the 1983 Miss America title and a $30,000 scholarship that accompanied it.  The controversy that followed only left Vanessa stronger and more empowered in her commitment to a career in the world of entertainment."

Playboy and Penthouse magazines both published some unflattering pictures of Ms. Williams in 1984, (that were shot a few years earlier), featuring her and a female friend doing some really raunchy “girls gone wild” posing.

She was stripped of her Miss America title when the photos were published.

Four years after she won and lost her crown, Vanessa was signed to a recording contract, thanks to some efficient back-up-vocal work on a George Clinton track, “Do Fries Go with that Shake."

In 1988, her first album, The Right Stuff was released.  Here are some of Vanessa Williams’ most memorable tracks:

  • “Dreamin’”
  • “Running Back to You”
  • “The Right Stuff”
  • “Save the Best for Last”
  • “Love Is” (with Brian McKnight)

"Save the Best For Last” was a #1 song in the USA, Australia, Holland and Canada, (and top five in England and Japan).

In 1996, Vanessa recorded her first solo Christmas album - the critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated “Star Bright."

There’s much more magic to come from Vanessa Williams.

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Posted by King on 03/13 at 01:02 AM
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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Reflections of Lamont Dozier

Lamont Dozier, the “D” in Holland - Dozier - Holland, wrote lots of memorable classics with his partners Brian and Eddie:

  • “Stop! In the Name of Love”
  • “Reach Out I’ll Be There”
  • “How Sweet It Is (to be Loved by You)”
  • “Nowhere to Run”
  • “This Old Heart of Mine”
  • “You Can’t Hurry Love”

Before his success with the H-D-H writing team, Lamont sung with the Romeos and the Voicemasters, Detroit groups that would eventually spawn David Ruffin (of the Temptations) and several members of the Originals.

Holland, Dozier, and Holland wrote some of the greatest Motown hits from 1962 - 1969.  At the end of the 60’s, H-D-H created Invictus, the label home of the Chairmen of the Board, Freda Payne, and the 8th Day.

In 1973, Lamont would start a solo career as a singer, recording at least 8 albums, including Out Here on my Own, and Black Bach.

He had some modest hits: “Don’t’ Leave Me,” “Fish Ain’t Bitin’,” and his biggest, “Why Can’t We Be Lovers."

We’ve only scratched the surface, so catch the complete Lamont Dozier story at his official website.

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Posted by King on 03/07 at 12:02 AM
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Thursday, January 18, 2007

Brian McKnight Touches Ten with Time

Brian McKnight has been making music since 1991.

The first time he entered a recording studio, he says he was motivated “to pick-up where Marvin Gaye left off."

That’s an inspiring comment from a young man who wants to continue the elegant tradition of smooth classic soul.

The Buffalo, New York native, born on June 5, 1969, is also aware of the changing nature of rhythm and blues today.

He notes in his official biography that “the landscape of soul music has gotten younger.” Despite this reality, Brian adds “I believe my material will appeal to everyone from teenagers to older folks."

With this challenge in mind, comes Ten, a new release from Brian on Warner Brothers Records, his first for the label.

"Used to Be My Girl” is getting a big push from the album.

As the ladies can tell you, Brian McKnight has mastered the softer side of soul.  Ten maintains his dominance within this genre.

To learn more about Brian’s secret formula for success, the official Brian McKnight biography (on his website) tells all.

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Posted by King on 01/18 at 12:02 AM
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