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T E S T R E V I E W

Soul Music

Berry Gordy

�  Worked at the Ford assembly plant in Detroit

�  Started Motown records in 1959 (first called Tamala records)

�  Adapted assembly line concept to making records

�  First owned and operated African American record company

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Jackson 5

�  Family of singers from Gary, Indiana

�  Five brothers, managed by their father

�  Signed with Motown records in 1968

�  Hit songs – “ABC”, “I Want You Back” and more

�  Started the career of Michael Jackson

Aretha Franklin

�  Gospel and Soul singer �  Nicknamed the “Queen

of Soul” �  Hit songs include:

“Respect”, “Chain of Fools” and more

�  Sang at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral

�  Won 8 Grammy Awards �  Sang at President

Obama’s inauguration

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Soul Music

�  A mixture of Gospel and Rhythm and Blues �  Lyrics are emotional and meaningful �  Performances come from the heart of the artist �  Dominated by solo artists �  Music is expressive and performed honestly with

great emotion �  Captures the essence of the human spirit �  Dominated by artists such as; Ray Charles, Aretha

Franklin, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding

James Brown

�  Known as “the Godfather of Soul”

�  Live concerts were fully choreographed dance routines, full brass sections, costume changes and backup performers

�  Hits include “Say it loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”

�  Influenced Michael Jackson and current performer Bruno Mars

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Ray Charles

�  Blind soul musician that also recorded music in different styles like country, jazz and R & B

�  Hits include: “Hit the Road Jack”, “Georgia on My Mind” and “What’d I Say”

�  Played the piano �  Inducted into the Rock and

Roll hall of fame the first year it opened (1986)

The Supremes

�  Singing group signed with Motown records

�  Included Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson

�  Had many hit songs including “ Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love”

�  Their tight harmonies inspired many girl groups that formed in later years

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Otis Redding

�  Recorded with Stax records

�  He arranged all the music for his band

�  Straight forward, powerful voice

�  Hit songs include: “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” and “These Arms of Mine”

Top Theaters for Performers

Premier Record Companies

�  Apollo Theater in New York City

�  Regal Theater in Chicago, IL

�  Howard Theater in Washington D.C

�  Uptown Theater in Philadelphia, PA

�  Motown Records in Detroit, MI

�  Stax Records in Memphis, TN

�  Atlantic Records in New York City

Promoting Soul Music

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Smokey Robinson

�  Singer/Songwriter for Motown records

�  Leader of the “Miracles” singing group

�  Wrote many of Motown’s huge hits for various groups and performers

�  Hit songs include “Tracks of My Tears” and “Ooh, Baby, Baby”

Soul Musicians

�  Curtis Mayfield – soul singer active in the civil rights movement

�  Marvin Gaye – Hits song “Heard it Through the Grapevine” and smooth love ballads

�  Jackie Wilson – Soul singer with an exceptional onstage presence and four-octave vocal range

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Other Top Soul music groups

�  The Temptations – male group with Motown. Hits include “My Girl” and “Get Ready”

�  The O’Jays – soul group from Canton, OH with hits songs “Love Train” and “Lonely Drifter”

�  The Four Tops – Motown group with soul hits “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”

Soul Music and Civil Rights

�  Most soul musicians were African American and had personal experiences with racism both personally and professionally.

�  Berry Gordy and Motown records, along with Stax and Atlantic produced songs with lyrics hinting at discrimination and the treatment of blacks

�  Songs like “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “Choices of Colors” helped call attention to the social causes of the civil rights movement