June 13, 1972 Clyde McPhatter, rhythm and blues singer, died. McPhatter was born November 15, 1932 in Durham, North Carolina. From 1950 to 1953, he performed with Billy Ward & the Dominoes who recorded “Sixty Minute Man” (1951) and “Have Mercy Baby” (1952). In 1953, McPhatter quit that group and formed the Drifters who released […]
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June 10th in African American History – Ray Charles
June 10, 2004 Ray Charles, pioneering R&B, gospel, blues and country musician, died. Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia, Charles began to lose his sight at the age of five and was completely blind by the age of seven. In 1943, he began to perform around Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida. […]
June 8th in African American History – Kanye Omari West
June 8, 1977 Kanye Omari West, rapper and record producer, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. West attended the American Academy of Art and Chicago State University but dropped out to focus on his music career. He first gained recognition for producing hit singles for artists such as Jay-Z, Common, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. In […]
June 7th in African American History – Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince)
June 7, 1958 Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince), singer, songwriter, and musician, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prince’s first album, “For You,” was released in 1978. He composed, produced, arranged, and played all 27 instruments on the recording. In 1979, he had his first major hit album, “Prince,” which contained the single “I Wanna Be Your […]
June 6th in African American History – William Everett “Billy” Preston
June 6, 2006 William Everett “Billy” Preston, rhythm and blues singer and musician, died. Preston was born September 2, 1946 in Houston, Texas. He began playing the piano at age three and by the age of ten was performing in the bands of gospel greats Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, and Andrae Crouch. At the age […]
June 5th in African American History – Brian McKnight
June 5, 1969 Brian McKnight, singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, was born in Buffalo, New York. McKnight’s musical career began in childhood and at 19 he signed his first recording deal. His debut album, “Brian McKnight,” was released in 1992 and it was followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997), which sold over […]
June 3rd in African American History – Florence Beatrice Price
June 3, 1953 Florence Beatrice Price, the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra, died. Price was born April 9, 1887 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She played her first piano recital at the age of four and her first work was published when she was 11. She graduated from […]