December 10, 1967 Otis Ray Redding, Jr., singer and songwriter, died in a plane crash. Redding was born September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia. He grew up in Macon, Georgia where he sang in the church choir and won the local talent show 15 weeks in a row. In 1960, Redding began touring the south […]
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December 2nd in African American History – Odetta Holmes
December 2, 2008 Odetta Holmes, singer, actress, songwriter, and human rights activist, died. Odetta was born December 31, 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama. Her first professional experience was in musical theater in 1944 and in 1949 she joined the “Finian’s Rainbow” touring company. She began her solo career in 1956 with “Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues” […]
November 10th in African American History – Gerald Edward Levert
November 10, 2006 Gerald Edward Levert, singer, songwriter and producer, died. Levert was born July 13, 1966 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but raised in Cleveland, Ohio. While in high school, he formed the group LeVert in 1984. Four of the group’s seven albums, “I Get Her” (1985), “Bloodline” (1986), “The Big Throwdown” (1987), and “Just Coolin’” […]
November 8th in African American History – Minnie Julia Riperton
November 8, 1947 Minnie Julia Riperton, singer and songwriter, was born in Chicago, Illinois. As a teenager, Riperton received operatic vocal training and was urged to study the classics. However, she became interested in rhythm and blues. Riperton’s first solo album, “Come to My Garden,” was released in 1970 and, although commercially unsuccessful, it is […]
October 18th in African American History – Charles Edward “Chuck” Berry
October 18, 1926 Charles Edward “Chuck” Berry, guitarist, singer and songwriter, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Berry made his first public performances while he was still in high school and by early 1953 was performing at popular clubs in East St. Louis, Illinois. In 1955, Berry recorded “Maybelene” which sold over a million copies […]
October 10th in African American History – Solomon Burke
October 10, 2010 Solomon Burke, singer and songwriter, died. Burke was born March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his adult life as a preacher and host of a gospel radio show. By 1960, Burke began moving toward more secular music. His first hit was “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)” […]
October 5th in African American History – Edward James “Eddie” Kendricks
October 5, 1992 Edward James “Eddie” Kendricks, singer and songwriter, died. Kendricks was born December 17, 1939 in Union Springs, Alabama. In 1955, he and three friends formed a group called The Cavaliers who moved to Detroit in 1957 and changed their name to The Primes. In 1961, Kendricks joined The Elgins who signed with […]