Displaying items by tag: R&B

A short film about the making of En Vogue’s Classic Album Funky Divas

This is the fascinating story of  Earth, Wind, and Fire, one of the most popular funk bands of the 70s.

The Temptations formed in 1961 and were made up of singers from several doo-wop groups. The Cavaliers (1955-57), The Primes (1957 -1960), The Siberians/The El Domingoes (1958 -1959), Otis Williams & The Distants (1959 -1960), and The Elgins (1959 - 1960). The Elgins re-christen themselves, The Temptations before signing with Miracle Records, a subsidiary of Motown Records in 1961.

After the success of Rock’n’Roll, many African American artists started to explore their musical heritage and look beyond blues and R&B for inspiration. The terms ‘funk’ and ‘rock’n’roll were euphemisms for sex, with the former referring to the smells of intimacy and the latter the act.

The Meters were put together in 1965 when keyboard player Arthur 'Art' Neville (1937-2019) recruited George Porter, Jr. (bass guitar), Joseph (Zigaboo) Modeliste (drums) and Leo Nocentelli (guitar, vocals).

In these strange, unprecedented times, there has never been more of a need to escape the harsh realities of life. And for me, and many others, the world of podcasts is as good as any place to start. And for those of a modernist persuasion, or simply those who love a bit of culture, Eddie Piller’s Modcast is the place to be.

They started as the Kansas City Five with Alan Price (pianist), John Steel (drummer), and Eric Burden (vocalist). In 1962, Eric left to try his luck in London and Alan Price formed The Kontours which became the Alan Price R&B Combo with big Bryan “Chas” Chandler (bassist) and John Steel on drums.

Martha Rose Reeves was born in 1941. in Eufaula, Alabama. The oldest of 11 children to Elijah Reeves and Ruby Lee Reeves, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan,