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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