BARRY WHITE

BARRY WHITE

Barrence Eugene Carter known as Barry White was born in Galveston, Texas September 12, 1944, Barry grew up in South Central Los Angeles. Barry went to jail for four months, for stealing $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires.

After Barry was released from jail he left the gang and started his music career. He had marginal success as a songwriter. Bobby Fuller rock singer recorded his songs and The Banana Splits TV bubblegum act. In 1963 he also did the arranging of “Harlem Shuffle” for Bob & Earl. Barry was producing a girl group he discovered in 1972, called Love Unlimited, that’s when he got his big break. His best friend and music industry businessman Larry Nunes financed his career. “Walking in the Rain (With The One I Love)”

Barry wrote and produced. Barry married the lead singer of Love Unlimited, Glodean James July 4, 1974. Barry had hits in the 70s which includes “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby” in1973, “ “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” in 1973, I Belong To You” in 1974, “Love Theme” in 1974, “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” in1974, “What Am I Gonna Do with You”

in 1975, “Let the Music Play” in 1976, “Is Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me” in 1977,  “Your Sweetness is My Weakness” in 1978. I grew up listening to Barry and dancing to his music at the school dances and house parties. Barry’s Female fan considered handsome and deeply romantic. He was refer to as the “Maestro”, The Man with the Velvet Voice”, The Sultan of Smooth Soul” and the press called him the “Walrus of Love”. Barry career slowed down by the end of the disco era, but he had his followers.

In the 1994 his comeback album The Icon Is Love with the hit “Practice What You Preach”, was a hit Barry was back. Barry recorded with Tina Turner “In Your Wildest Dreams” in 1996.  Barry’s album Staying Power won two Grammy awards in 1999.  Barry’s music was often featured on the Ally McBeal show, he also appeared on the show twice. Barry was also a voice actor he was the voice of the Bear in the 1975 film Coonskin, he was featured on two episodes of The Simpson’s “Whacking Day” and “Krusty Gets Kancelled”. Barry suffered from high blood pressure, which resulted in kidney failure in 2002. Barry suffer a stroke in May 2003, that is when he retired from public life. Barry passed away on July 4, 2003, from kidney failure on the day which would have been his and Glodean‘s 29th anniversary. Barry White made the ladies scream his name and the men a little jealous I‘m sure. I am truly glad I got to grow up listen to the Maestro’s of love songs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_White

LM

TEDDY PENDERGRASS

Image via Wikipedia

TEDDY PENDERGRASS

Theodore ”Teddy” DeResse Pendergrass better known as Teddy P, TP, or Teddy Bear, was born March 26, 1950. My first encounter with Teddy Pendergrass music was in 1977, “I Don’t Love You Anymore” was playing on the radio, I went to the record store and bought that single and “The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me”. Teddy Pendergrass began his music career as a drummer for The Cadillac’s. Teddy Pendergrass was invited to become lead singer by Harold Melvin. In 1972 The Blue Notes had hits such as “I Miss You”, “Bad Luck,” “Wake Up Everybody” a two million seller “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”  and many more. There was a personal conflict between Harold and Teddy, so Teddy went solo. Teddy released four hit singles “The More I Get The More I Want,” “Close the Door,” “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” “Turn Off the Lights” and many others. Teddy’s first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass in 1977, followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing in 1978, Live Coast to Coast and Teddy in 1979, TP in 1980, and the final It’s Time for Love in 1981. Teddy sang a duet with Whitney Houston on her self titled debut album the song “Hold Me”. Teddy was in a real bad car accident in March 1982, which left him paralyzed from the waist down, leaving him with partial use of his arms. Teddy appeared  in 1985 at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, performing “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” in a wheelchair. This was Teddy’s first performance since his accident. Teddy toured with Stephanie Mills in the gospel musical production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God in 1996. Teddy’s autobiography entitled Truly Blessed was released in1998. Teddy Pendergrass retired from the music industry in 2006. Teddy briefly returned to performing for Teddy25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities  a 25th anniversary awards ceremony that marked his accident date and to raise money for his charity The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance.
Teddy went I the hospital and is recovering from rare illness related to his paralyses in August 2009. Teddy Pendergrass (Teddy Bear) is a love song writer that will be one of my all time favorites. My prayers go out to the Teddy Bear.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Pendergrass

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ISLEY BROTHERS

ISLEY BROTHERS


You could always count on the Isley Brothers, to have a new hit just
around summer time. The Isley Brothers placed a single in every decade
since 1959 and as of 2006. In 1973 featuring Ernie, Marvin and
brother-in-law Chris Jasper they were known as 3+3 that’s when I was
introduced to The Isley Brothers. "That Lady", "Fight the Power", "For the
Love of You", "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)" and "Between the
Sheets", is what I remember about the summer time growing up. The early
years the group consist of Sally Bell Isley, O’kelly Jr., Rudy and Ronnie
and Jimi Hendrix as back ground guitar player. The group won a Grammy for
“It’s Your Thing” in 1969. After O’kelly’s death from cancer related heart
attack 1986 and Rudy leaving for a career in ministry in 1989. Ron
reformed the group in 1991 with Marvin and Ernie. Marvin was forced into
retirement due to diabetes in 1997. Ron doing prison time due to his tax
evasion charge in 2006 the Isley Brothers are one of the most sampled
artists. Sampled by artist like 2pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Outkast, UGK,
J Dilla, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg Among others, this
goes to show that music from The Isley Brothers Classic R&B and soul.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isley_Brothers


LM

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Freddie Terrell.

Freddie got his first guitar at the age of twelve and begin playing for his Father's gospel group, (The Southern Bells Gospel Singers) at the age of thirteen. He formed his first group, Freddie Terrell and The Blue Rhythm Band, in 1967. This started a Fruitful career as a Professional, guitarist, producer, writer, arranger and recording artist, that continues to this day. In 1970 Freddie formed the Soul Expedition Band that would go on to play an important role in Atlanta's R & B and Soul scene. Freddie recorded "You Had It Made" and "Why Not Me" for Capitol Records And the coveted "Soul Expedition" album for Lefevre Sounds in 1971 and "Soul Know How To Make Music" and "Respect Your Self", For Shout & Bang Records in 1972. In addition to his work with the Soul Expedition and other Atlanta area bands, Freddie has toured with and played for, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Major Lance, Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, The Drifters, The Ojays, The Manhattans, The Shirelles, The Staple Singers, Glady Knight and The Pips, Peabo Bryson, Hermon Hitson, Moms Mabley, Willie Tyler and Lester, Barbara Hall, Sandra Hall, Lee Moses, The Mighty Hannibal, Dee Dee Gartrell, The Violinaires, The Echo's Of Zion and many more. For this CD, Freddie has gone back to some of his favorites and recorded them the way he feel and play them on stage today. So sit back, relax and enjoy the smooth sounds of Old School Groovin with Freddie Terrell.

The Gap Band

The Gap Band via last.fm

The Gap Band

When Michael – DJ for Streetwise Radio (and also my hubby) asked me to write about my favorite funk artists, I immediately thought of The Gap Band. I grew up in Cleveland so many of the house parties were in the basement, with no lights – and loud wall sweating music that made the house rock. We loved The Gap Band and their funky dance songs. My all time favorites were “Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Want to Hurt Me)” – girl; “Early in the Morning” – I gotta find me someone to love, and “Outstanding”. Boy, those songs bring back memories. The other reason that I loved this band is that I understood the words as opposed to rap songs today, where I have no clue. Ok, I’m showing my age. But, here are a few things that you may not know about my all time favorite band.  The three brothers Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson formed The Gap Band in 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; originally they had twelve members. The name comes from the streets where they grew up Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets that formed the African American business district of Tulsa, Oklahoma also called Black Wall Street. The Greenwood district was the site of one of the most violent racially motivated attacks in United States history. The complete destruction of the community was the result of the Tulsa Race Riots.
The group found their biggest success in the 1980s, with songs like "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", "Humpin' ", "Yearning For Your Love", "Outstanding", "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", "I Found My Baby", "Early In the Morning", and "Party Train" which further established the group as icons. They also found great success in the UK when their 1987 single "Big Fun" reached #4 in the UK chart ("Oops Upside Your Head" had also reached #6 there in 1980).Four of the band's albums, The Gap Band II, The Gap Band III, Gap Band IV, and Gap Band V - Jammin, achieved platinum selling status, and four of their singles ("All Of My Love", "Outstanding", "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", and "Early in the Morning") reached the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts. Raymond Calhoun (writer "Outstanding"), Oliver Scott (co-writer "Yearning For Your Love), and arranger/producer Malvin Dino Vice (co-writer "Boys Are Back in Town"), were members of the backing band and major contributors to the Gap Band's successful recordings.Ever since the 1990s, the Gap Band's most famous hits have been sampled and covered by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Notorious B.I.G., II D Extreme, Blackstreet, Shaquille O'Neal, Mia X, and Mary J. Blige. "Outstanding" was even sampled for a famous 1990s commercial for malt liquor. Among the musicians they have inspired are R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, II D Extreme, Mint Condition, Jagged Edge, D'Extra Wiley, and Aaron Hall. Recently, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" was featured in the hit videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station Bounce FM.So, if you want to hear those great artists from your past, and stroll down memory lane, listen to Streetwise Radio for the best music on internet radio.
 

CarolT-E

Soul City Plalist

Here is the play list for Soul City this weekend, Oct. 10th, and 11th at 6pm Pacific Time.

Chaka Kahn Queen of Funk and Soul

Image via Wikipedia

I first saw Chaka Kahn in the Spring of 1974,  live and on stage at the old Circle Star Theater in San Carlos California.  My school friends and I went there to see 'Tower of Power', but it was this dynamic lead singer and her Funk Band Rufus...that stole the show!

She exploded on stage in tight fitting, pearl-white hot pants that accented her compact, curvaceous body...and free-flowing, thickly-curled burgundy-brown hair.  But, it was her huge, bright smile that lit up the arena, and powerfully clear voice that sent shivers down every spine in the house...especially mine!! 

Through her opening numbers 'Tell me something good' and "Once you get started', I sensed super stardom in Chaka's future...and while the old Circle Star stage has long since been torn down, Chaka Khan's star still shines in the music world.

Born Yvette Marie Stevens 56 years ago, she was raised in South Chicago and formed her first band "The Crystalettes" at age 11. In high school she toured with the Motown Great Mary Wells as part of an Afro arts theatre group. Then, while volunteering at a Black Panthers free childrens breakfast program in Chicago, a Yoruban Priest gave her a new name...Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemaja Hadari Karifi...re-uniting her with her African tribal roots.

Soon after quitting high school in 1969, she met musicians Kevin Murphy and Andre Fischer to form 'Rufus', a 70's Funk Soul band that would rival other top-chart groups such as 'The Commodores', 'Ohio Players', and 'Earth Wind and Fire'. During this time Chaka dated and married Bass player Hassan Khan.

In 1974 Stevie Wonder helped promote and sell Rufus's first big hit 'Tell me something Good', and a second hit 'You got the Love'...featuring then unknown guitarist Ray Parker Junior. Hits like 'Sweet Thing', Once you get Started', and 'Everlasting Love' helped earn Chaka and the group 8 platinum albums and 2 Grammy awards. Her versatile style and ability to collaborate with other superstars,  set her apart from other singers....and the opportunities led to her breaking off on her own.

In 1978 a new solo career launched Chaka Khan on a 30-year  run of mega-hit songs including 'I'm Every Woman'(also in duet with Whitney Houston), 'I feel for you', 'Ain't Nobody', and 'Through the Fire'. During this period Chaka also collaborated on musical projects with the likes of  Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, Ashford and Simpson, Luther Vandross, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Rick Wakeman, Steve Winwood, and Ray Charles.

She performed movie sound tracks for "Waiting to Exhale", and  "Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar. She even helped the group 'Chicago" with a ballad and album cover, and performed the theme song for the hit kids TV show 'The Reading Room'. In the year 2000 Chaka also sang at both Republican and Democratic Conventions. 

Among Her many awards include 10 Grammy and 12 Grammy nominations, 2 BET awards including a lifetime Achievement Award, The Lena Horn Lady of Soul Career Achievement Award in 1998, and 4 American Music Award nominations.

In 1982 Chaka was even nominated best Female Jazz Vocalist while performing with Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, and Lennie White, on an experiment called "Echoes of an Era."  She then topped that off by nabbing an Honorary Doctorate from The Berklee College of Music.   

 Since 2006 Chaka has been living in London, during which time she's continued to write songs,  tour, and even act...traveling back to the U.S. to play the part of Sofia in the play 'The Color Purple'. In early 2009 She announced she' would finish the year off performing with 'Lulu' and 'Anastacia' on a world tour called "Here Come the Girls".

Life doesn't seem to slow down much for Chaka Khan. Her song 'I'm EVERY Woman' fits her perfectly...as well has the title given by her peers..."The QUEEN of Funk and Soul".

PeteCam 4 

"Best Wishes"--PTCJr

LEGANDARY TEMPTATIONS

I remember being over my Grandmother’s house out in the garage listening to the Temptations. My uncles were teenagers; they had all the 45 records the Temptations had out. My Girl, Just My Imagination & Papa Was a Rolling
Stone were my all time favorites. Growing up listening to Temptations and all of Motown made me appreciate, great songwriting choreography. The Temptations group was formed in 1961 the members were Paul Williams, Eddie
Kendrick, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Elbridge Bryant. The Temptation finally got their first hit in 1964 with “The Way You Do The Things You Do” after a long series of failed singles. After that first hit then they blew up. Every male singing group after Temptations wanted to be like the like the Temptations, the Spinners, Boys II Men and New Edition
to name a few. Every generation knows a least two Temptation song, I don’t’ think their will be another group like the Temptations ever.

LM