News

02/01/2010
This Month in R&B History

February, 1958

“They were fantastic musicians, but at first, they really didn’t want to play for us…”

Claudette Robinson remembers a recording session on a winter Wednesday in Detroit just like it was yesterday. Maybe better.

“It was bitter cold! We were in the studio with Berry, recording our first song that did anything. It was an answer song – remember those? The Silhouettes had a hit with “Get A Job”, and Smokey came up with the perfect response. That’s how we started. And we had hopes, of course, but we had no idea how big it all would become.”

“Got A Job” was released on February 19th, and became a hit later in 1958, but a minor hit when compared, in retrospect, to what was yet to come. Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White and Warren 'Pete' Moore, along with Claudette Rogers (soon to become Smokey’s wife) comprised The Miracles. After their producer, Berry Gordy, recorded “Got A Job”, success, slowly at first, then steadily, came to Motown’s Miracles.

“Shop Around” became their first #1 Billboard hit in 1961. Then, an incredible run, year after year, of songs that became standards, and performances that still reverberate after four decades. “You Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Ooh Baby Baby”, and “Tears of a Clown” are among over forty Chart hits created by The Miracles in just over a decade.

And those musicians who weren’t too keen on backing up the group? Well, they went on to become the fabulous Funk Brothers. At first wary of this R&B music, given their serious jazz aspirations, the band that recorded with The Miracles that day in February became one of the most celebrated groups of studio musicians in the history of recorded music, continuing to record behind all the Motown acts that represented, in the words of label founder Berry Gordy, the “Sound of Young America.”

The Funk Brothers weren’t the only musicians who were wary of this new music, and these very young performers. Later, when the Miracles were about to play the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, the band there was none too thrilled, especially when told that the group had no charts for them to follow. But the leader of this particular band was the evening’s headliner, and he took a liking to the group, and called Smokey over. “Sing it to me”, he said. Smokey did, and this new benefactor turned to his musical director, and with his famous smile, but with tone that clearly indicated this was not a suggestion, said “Why don’t you write this down…” The Miracles had their charts. Ray Charles had righted the ship of his opening act. The result was a brilliant night of music on 125th street.

There were ups and downs for The Miracles, during a career that spanned four decades, but many more good times than bad. And for Smokey and the group, February 1958 was when it all came together for the first time. It was another great month in R&B history.


01/14/2010
TEDDY PENDERGRASS 1950-2010

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends and fans in the passing of Teddy Pendergrass. The legendary artist and fellow Foundation Board Member died on January 13 at 59.

Teddy Pendergrass was a one of kind voice and a one of a kind person whose contributions and impact on R&B music cannot measured. His dynamic voice, impeccable style, and warm personality were truly a gift to the world. Teddy was a dear friend and colleague of the R&B Foundation having served diligently on our Board of Directors for several years.

We applaud and cheer Teddy for his life’s work. He was, as one of his many hit songs stated, a “Joy” - he will truly be missed.

Please click below to read more on the life of this talented artist and humanitarian.


10/28/2009
Philly press comes out for The Foundation

The Inquirer and The Daily News have both been kind enough to feature the Foundation in pieces that highlight our service to musicians in need. Click on the links (above) to have a look, and meanwhile, please consider supporting the important work of the Foundation's mission.


10/14/2009
Foundation Benefit in Philadelphia - October 28th at Club Adesso

It is fall, and winter is on the way, which means hard times for many. With that in mind, for its grand opening event, Club Adesso, 1519 Walnut Street is hosting a benefit for The Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

The event is to be held on Wednesday October 28, 2009 from 7-10 PM at Club Adessso, a new state-of-the-art dance club. The theme: a disco Halloween party. Billy Paul, famous for Me and Mrs. Jones and hundreds of other songs will appear and a DJ will spin records from (naturally) Gamble and Huff’s extensive 70’s repertoire. Prizes will be awarded for funkiest costume and wildest dancer. Patti Labelle’s autographed magenta stilettos will be auctioned along with other disco memorabilia.

Adesso, which means “now” in Italian, wants to help let the good times roll. At a cost of two million dollars, the five thousand square foot bi-level facility is beyond compare. Locating in a four story historic brownstone, the space is a dance lover’s paradise. It will showcase a hi-tech sound system and DJ booth. Floor to ceiling windows face center city’s most beautiful street and a special VIP section makes for a private yet beautiful setting. “We have been working on building the club for two years. Even though its rough expanding your business now, we have been on Walnut Street for over twenty-five years, and thought Philadelphians would love to see how we have changed and grown” explained Alberto Delbello, Il Portico and Club Adesso owner.

Everything is ultra modern from the two granite topped bars, comfortable leather couches, and recessed lighting to the high-end kitchen facilities on premises. The Club will be featuring special themed dinner and dancing nights, full meals provided by Il Portico, the restaurant downstairs. Il Portico has long been regarded as one of the best Jewish-Italian fine dining establishments in Philadelphia. In conjunction with the club opening, Il Portico will be unveiling a new menu. Valet parking is available.

Come check out Adesso, disco the night away and help those who have made the music that still makes us want to boogie! For further information or to RSVP call: 215 587-7000 or visit www.clubadesso.com.


08/23/2009
Johnny Carter of The Dells passes at 75

On their Facebook page, The Dells announce:

"Johnnie Carter of The Dells (known as the world's greatest tenor) passed at 1:00 am. August 21, 2009, from lung cancer.

Johnnie was diagnosed with this dreadful disease, last August while The Dells were appearing in Las Vegas. The Dells refused to perform without Carter, and had been trying to nurse him back to health for one year. We will keep you informed, as to the funeral arrangements.

God decided that it was time for Johnnie to come home, he will be missed.

The Mighty Dells"

Johnny Carter, prior to joining the Dells, was a founding member of The Flamingos, joining them on their classic version of I Only Have Eyes For You. With The Dells, Johnny had the biggest hits of his career, on Oh What A Night and Stay In My Corner.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation offers sincere sympathies to friends and fans of Johnny Carter.


06/25/2009
MICHAEL JACKSON 1958-2009 The Rhythm & Blues Foundation joins the world in mourning.

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation joins the world in mourning the passing of Michael Jackson. His impact on the world of music is immeasurable and incomparable. From the launch of his career as a Motown dynamo, Jackson's vibrant voice and innovative moves thrilled fans the world over.

Although he became known as “The King of Pop,” Jackson’s roots were pure R&B. Iris Gordy, chair of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Grants Committee recalls, "From his first moments at Motown, we knew Michael was more than special. The fact that he possessed that profound singing and dancing ability at such a young age was truly amazing. Michael was an astonishing talent. My family and I feel an especially personal loss."

Singing with his brothers and later as a solo artist, Jackson reached unprecedented heights, transcending established concepts of race and musical genre.

"It has to be noted that with Billie Jean, Michael Jackson became the first artist to simultaneously top the R&B single, R&B album, pop album, and pop single charts," comments Foundation board member Kenny Gamble who produced The Jacksons, the group's first album after leaving Motown. “He took R&B into uncharted territory.”

The passing of Michael Jackson brings Black Music Month 2009 to a sad end.

"There will never be another Michael Jackson," said Rhythm & Blues Foundation chairman Kendall Minter. "As a singer, song writer, businessman and, most importantly, as a humanitarian, he left an indelible imprint on the world of entertainment."


06/06/2009
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of Koko Taylor

R&B legend Koko Taylor left us this week, on Thursday, June 3, 2009, at age 80. Known the world over as the "Queen of the Blues", Ms. Taylor entertained all of us with the power and the passion of her wonderful voice during a magnificent career that spanned six decades. The recipient of multiple Grammy Award nominations, she was perhaps best known for her million-selling version of "Wang Dang Doodle" recorded on Chess Records in 1965. Ms. Taylor was also a R&B Foundation Pioneer Award recipient, honored in 2003.

The Foundation honors her memory, and mourns in her passing.


05/04/2009
2008 Pioneer Award Highlights Video
The 2008 Pioneer Awards were, if we do say so ourselves, amazing. The talent, the music, and the history of great artists all came together in one magical evening in the City of Brotherly Love. We wish everyone could have been there. But if you weren't, or you'd like to relive a special night, have a look now at a clip that tells the story of that unforgettable show.


02/24/2009
Tee it up for The Foundation!

March 11, 2009 - Save The Date!

In celebration of the 21st anniversary of Urban Network Magazine, former Rhythm & Blues Foundation board member Miller London is hosting a celebrity golf tournament on March 11, 2009 at the Pacific Palms Resort. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, along with the Living Legends Foundation.

For more information, and to sign up for this wonderful event, please visit www.urbannetwork.com/summit. Come on out for a day on the links, and support the cause!


01/25/2009
The Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of David

1998 Pioneer Award winner David “Fathead” Newman has passed, too soon, at the age of 75. His contributions to music spanned over 50 years, starting most notably with his long stretch as saxophonist in the original Ray Charles band. His recording career began in 1959, and continued through his most recent release in 2007, “Life”, almost 40 albums in all. And, on works by Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin, Hank Crawford, and Aaron Neville among many, many others, his signature sax could be heard.

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation honors his achievements and mourns his passing.


01/25/2009
Motown Celebrates its 50th Anniversary!

If there was a precise moment that launched the phenomenon that was Motown Records, perhaps it was the day that founder Berry Gordy secured an $800 loan that financed initial business operations. That day, 50 years ago, was celebrated this January in Detroit, with “Motown Day” to honor the beginnings of “The Sound of Young America” and the label that launched the artists and songs that gave so much to the world. The list goes on and on – The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Funk Brothers – one fears starting the roll call, lest someone’s favorites be left out!

The Rhythm and Blues Foundation congratulates Berry Gordy on this Anniversary, and all of the writers, musicians, producers, and performers who used their prodigious talents to create, truly, the soundtrack of our lives.


10/17/2008
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of Levi Stubbs
Levi Stubbles (June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008), best known by the stage name Levi Stubbs, was the lead vocalist of the legendary Motown R&B group The Four Tops.

Born in Detroit in 1936, Stubbs began his professional singing career with friends Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton, forming a singing group called The Four Aims in 1954. Two years later, after having signed with Chess Records, the group changed their name to the Four Tops - this was to avoid confusion with the then-popular Ames Brothers.

The group signed to Motown Records in 1963 and by the end of the decade, the Four Tops had over a dozen hits to their name. The most popular of the hits, all of which featured Stubbs on lead vocals, include "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)", "It's the Same Old Song", "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Standing in the Shadows of Love", "Bernadette", "Still Water (Love)", and "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)".

The Four Tops were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and have sold over 50 million records worldwide (Information obtained from Wikipedia.com). The Foundation honors his memory, and mourns with you in his passing.


09/10/2008
The Nation Buzzes About The R&B Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala, THE 2008 PIONEER AWARDS
In case you missed it, click the links below for a taste of some recent media coverage on the Pioneer Awards Gala and 20th Anniversary of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation:

*Much more coverage available throughout the web - Just input "R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards" into your choice search engine (Yahoo, AOL, Google, etc.)


08/20/2008
Remembering Pervis Jackson, original member of The Spinners
The soundtrack to the 70’s would have been a little dimmer, a little quieter, and a lot less fun if not for The Spinners. The Foundation extends its deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Pervis Jackson, a member of the Spinners throughout the decades. One of the founding members of the group, he was the solid, soulful bass that provided a foundation for the early hits “I’ll Always Love You” and “It’s A Shame” while the group was part of the Motown family. In 1972, The Spinners moved to Atlantic Records, and released the album that made them international stars. “I’ll Be Around”, “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” and "One of a Kind (Love Affair)” all were on their label debut, all held down by the smooth lines of Pervis Jackson. Later, on the hit single “Games People Play”, Pervis got his starring role with the simple lines “12:45” and “I took my time”, and they became his signature for years in live performances. Mr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Claudreen, four children, and eight grandchildren. But his music, and his memory, live on…


08/15/2008
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of Jerry Wexler
Gerald "Jerry" Wexler (January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008) was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s. He coined the term "rhythm and blues", and was integral in signing and/or producing many of the biggest acts of the last 50 years, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield and Bob Dylan. Wexler was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. During his time as an editor, reporter, and writer for Billboard Magazine, Wexler coined the term "rhythm and blues." He became a partner in Atlantic Records in 1953. There followed classic recordings with Ray Charles, the Drifters and Ruth Brown. With Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün, he built up Atlantic Records into a major force. In 1967 he was named Record Executive of the Year for turning Aretha Franklin's career around. He also cultivated a tight relationship with Stax Records, was an enormous proponent of the then-developing Muscle Shoals Sound and founded the fortunes of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. His work in this decade put Atlantic at the forefront of soul music. (From Wikipedia.com) The Foundation honors his memory, and mourns with you in his passing.


08/11/2008
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of Isaac Hayes
If you only knew Isaac Hayes as a radio personality, and the voice of “Chef” in “South Park”, you didn’t know half of the talent and history that was lost yesterday when he passed, too young, at the age of 65. A talented musician and composer, Isaac Hayes was an accomplished hitmaker even before he won multiple Grammies and an Oscar for his seminal soundtrack to “Shaft” in 1972. He had already teamed with co-writer David Porter to write songs that stand today among the greatest to come from the era, among them “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’”. And, as a solo artist, he had already become a major success with his LP, “Hot Buttered Soul”, which featured an 18-minute version of Jimmy Webb’s “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” that became known for Isaac’s extended “rap”. “Phoenix” became a late-night staple of the free-form FM radio that had become popular in the late 60’s, and this underground hit launched a solo career that would span 40 years. Truly a Pioneer, Isaac Hayes was honored as such by the Foundation in 1999. We, along with all of you, honor his memory and mourn his passing.


08/11/2008
MEDIA ONLY: 2008 Pioneer Awards


06/03/2008
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation shares the sadness of family, friends, and fans in the passing of Bo Diddley
R&B legend Bo Diddley left us yesterday, June 2, 2008 at the age of 79. A true innovator, he was the creator of a rhythm and a sound that inspired the development of generations of musicians. Honored by NARAS with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bo Diddley was also a R&B Foundation Pioneer Award recipient, honored in 1996. His work inspired the entire spectrum of rhythm-based music, and his early fans included The Beatles and The Rolling Stones; his signature groove remained the backbeat of hundreds of hit recordings, used by artists ranging in styles and eras from Buddy Holly to George Michael. And none of us may live long enough to see his influence diminish, so strongly is his imprint woven into the fabric of the music. The Foundation honors his memory, and mourns in his passing.


04/23/2008
In the beginning...
…there was The Groove. It came up from the earth, and from the heart, and in the souls and the voices and the rhythm and the blues. And it was good. And there was Ruth Brown, and there was Solomon Burke. And there was Jackie Wilson and there was Otis Redding and there was Laverne Baker and there was Ben E. King. And it was very good. And there was Aretha Franklin and there was James Brown and there was Little Richard. And it was BAD… in a good way. And the people danced and forgot their troubles, thanks to The Groove and the artists that brought it to life...


03/19/2008
R&B Foundation newsletter


03/03/2008
R&B Foundation receives generous donation from the Argus Fund!
Thanks to the efforts of Board Member Judy Tint, the R&B Foundation received a generous $100,000 donation from The Argus Fund! The funds will be used to support the foundation’s operations, replenish the Doc Pomus Fund and renew Performance Grant opportunities.