Sylvester Stewart, known to the world as Sly Stone, had a musical vision that coalesced quickly in the late 1960s and sadly disintegrated after half a decade. As the leader of Sly & the Family Stone, he and his combination hippie commune/soul revue m…

One of the most important and successful funk bands of the '70s, the Ohio Players made effective use of aggressive horns and big, butt-shakin' bass lines. The group produced a wide variety of great, sex-savvy soul music, many of their biggest hits we…

Formed in 1967 in Oakland, California, USA, this durable funky soul group - Rufus Miller (vocals), Greg Adams (trumpet), Emilio "Mimi" Castillo (b. Detroit, Michigan, USA; saxophone), Steve Kupka (saxophone), Lenny Pickett (saxophone), David Padron (…

Earth, Wind & Fire was the brainchild of musical Renaissance man Maurice White, a successful ex-session drummer who recorded with everyone from Chuck Berry to John Coltrane. Essentially an R&B group, Earth, Wind & Fire expanded its sound to include e…

The first of P-Funk mastermind George Clinton's many bands, Parliament was formed in the 1950s as a doo-wop group called the Parliaments. In the early 1970s it became one of several outlets for Clinton's outrageous blend of funk, rock, and the absurd…

A semi-successful Motown vocal group in the early '60s, The Isley Brothers' historical importance would be assured if only for their original version of "Twist and Shout," and the fact that they provided Jimi Hendrix with one of his first big breaks.…

From 12-year-old multi-instrumentalist prodigy to groundbreaking adult songwriter and producer, Stevie Wonder is one of the handful of pop musicians who just about everybody agrees is possessed of genius. His 1960s recordings were great straight-up R…

The unrelenting intensity of James Brown's music has made him one of the most recognizable and influential performers since the 1950s. Starting out as a gospel singer, Brown soon switched to R&B and started scoring hits. As the '60s progressed, the s…

One of the most influential and highly regarded funk groups of the 1970s, the Average White Band was formed by a bunch of R&B enthusiasts from Scotland. Their 1974 album AWB featured their signature song--the slinky, horn-driven instrumental "Pick up…

Although formed in 1958, The O'Jays failed to find major success until the early '70s when they signed to the Philadelphia International label. Under the direction of producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the group (along with label mate Harold Melvi…

This swingbeat trio from Oakland, California, was formed by brothers Dwayne (b. 14 February 1963, Oakland, California, USA; lead vocals, guitar) and Raphael Wiggins (b. 14 May 1966, Oakland, California, USA; lead vocals/bass), and their cousin Timoth…

The word "genius" may be used a little too freely when describing pop musicians, but many would have to agree that Prince is deserving of such an accolade. Since his 1978 debut album, the Minneapolis-based multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/singer has …

Long-running funk outfit LTD -- Love Togetherness and Devotion -- was formed in Greensboro NC in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie JD Davis and bassist Abraham Onion Miller both former backing musicians for the great Sam and Dave Upon relocating to New York…

The Bar-Kays began as a gritty instrumental soul band in the manner of their mentors, Booker T & the MGs. They were employed as Otis Redding's backing band on tour, until a tragic 1967 plane crash took the lives of Redding and four band members. With…

Arguably the hottest of the 70s Ohio funk bands Slave had a great run in the late 70s and early 80s Trumpeter Steve Washington formed the group in Dayton in 1975 Vocalist Floyd Miller teamed with Tom Lockett Jr Charlie Bradley Mark Adams Mark Hicks D…

Although based in Britain, Heatwave was formed by the Wilder brothers, Johnnie and Keith, on their discharge from the US Army. An advertisement in a music paper yielded Hull, England-born songwriter Rod Temperton, while further members recruited were…

One of the most talented and successful R&B groups of the '70s, the Commodores appealed to a mainstream audience with a string of well-crafted, energetic hit singles and a dynamic live act. Most importantly, however, the group included Lionel Richie …

Marvin Gaye began his career in the late 1950s, singing with various R&B vocal groups. Soon he moved on to work as a session drummer and vocalist at Motown. Gaye's own '60s albums are marked by propulsive, high-energy R&B, and duets with Mary Wells a…

The Temptations were the most successful R&B vocal group of the 1960s, their popularity rivaled only by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Despite several stylistic and line up changes (lead singers Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin both went on to …

Isaac Hayes is considered by many as soul's original Love Man. His landmark 1969 album, HOT BUTTERED SOUL, inspired other R&B artists (especially Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder) to broaden their musical horizons, while his early-'70s soundtrack work p…