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Classic songs to add to your Thanksgiving playlist

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks and spend time with the people who matter the most. Nothing is better than reuniting with loved ones and sharing a delicious meal together. From turkey to mom’s legendary stuffing, the food is out of this world. And your playlist can be too! Here are some great 1960s and 1970s songs to listen to this Thanksgiving season. Otis Redding is one of the most iconic names in soul and R&B for a reason. He helped put Stax Records on the map. Redding tragicall...
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Spooky songs to add to your Halloween playlist

Every fall, millions of children dress up as they ask the age-old question, trick or treat? Halloween is a favorite holiday for some, while others may not get as excited for the spooky season. Whether you're a Halloween enthusiast or not, plenty of great songs from the 1950s and 1960s pay tribute to the holiday. Let's explore some of the best songs to enjoy on October 31st. Yes, this song originated from The Wizard of Oz in 1939. However, it received a great 60s pop cover from The Fifth Estate...
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Best falsettos of 1960s and 1970s pop

In the 1960s and 1970s, the falsetto voice was taking the country by storm. Many popular acts in various genres included a talented falsetto singer. While the falsetto was very common in R&B and soul groups such as the Temptations and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, it also found a place in pop acts as well. From Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the Bee Gees, falsetto singing was at an all-time high (pun intended). Many may not know the name Bob Miranda, but you may be familiar with his c...
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Six best falsettos of classic soul and R&B

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, soul and R&B music dominated the charts in America. With the massive success of Detroit, New York, Memphis, and Philadelphia labels, R&B was a favorite among the young generation. Motown and other labels changed the way African-American entertainers were viewed at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Soul music brought people of all backgrounds and ethnicities together. It was happy music and a universal sound. Many classic soul acts had a key ingredient. An i...
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The legacy of 'Stay' and Maurice Williams

On August 6th, 2024, Maurice Williams passed away at 86 years old. While many may not know his name, Williams was one of the most important contributors to doo-wop and R&B in the 1950s and 1960s. Two of his compositions became era-defining hits, "Little Darlin'" (1957) and "Stay" (1960). Williams is immortalized by "Stay", which was the shortest No. 1 hit ever on the Billboard Hot 100, according to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Even more remarkably, "Stay" has remained relevant to mult...
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Motown's legendary girl groups changed the scope of music

Motown is one of the most celebrated and trailblazing labels in American music. During the 1960s, it dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, introducing soul music to audiences of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Acts such as the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5 became household names. Girl groups had a profound influence on Motown's success. Diana Ross became one of the most recognizable celebrities...
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Last original member of the Four Tops, Duke Fakir, passes away

In the 1960s, the Four Tops were one of Motown's most popular and commercially successful groups. Consisting of Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton, and Duke Fakir, the Tops released hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving", "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", "It's the Same Old Song", and "Reach Out I'll Be There." Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the last remaining original member of the Four Tops, passed away on July 22nd, 2024 at 88 years old. He reportedly died of heart failure, according...
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How Smokey Robinson helped lead the rise of Motown

Motown has undoubtedly contributed to the American songbook. Songs such as "My Girl" and "The Tracks of My Tears", among many others, have become popular standards. The acclaimed record company was built on great songwriting, so it should come as no surprise. Founder Berry Gordy began to make a name for himself as R&B icon Jackie Wilson's lead songwriter. Perhaps one of Gordy's greatest musical contributions was discovering and mentoring a young man who would eventually become Vice President of...
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The story of Elvis Presley's remarkable Memphis comeback

Well-known for being a music icon, Elvis Presley also happened to be an in-demand actor in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s. Idolizing the likes of Marlon Brando and James Dean, Presley wanted to be considered a serious actor. Unfortunately, he really never got that chance. 1958's King Creole was his closest shot, and his favorite film he ever starred in. Presley was a singer after all and a great one. Fans wanted to hear him sing in his movies and his films eventually found a formula. He...
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The greatest Italian-American rock and roll stars of the 1950s and 1960s

When one thinks of Italian singers, individuals such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Martino, and Perry Como often come to mind. This is understandable as traditional crooners paved the way for Italian-Americans in the music business. The rock n' roll era of the 1950s and 1960s was dominated by a strong Italian-American presence. Artists such as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Dion DiMucci, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Johnny Rivers, and so many more. Italian-Americans contributed some o...
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The extraordinary connection between Jimi Hendrix, Joe Pesci, Rascals, and Ronettes

In the early 1960s, Joseph DiNicola, known by his stage name Joey Dee, was on top of the world. The leader of the acclaimed Peppermint Lounge house band, Joey Dee and the Starliters, Dee was entertaining and greeting the likes of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Judy Garland, John Wayne, Shelley Winters, Nat King Cole, Liberace, Sal Mineo, and Salvador Dalí. Dee and his group mates were at the right place at the right time, as they became leaders in the international twist dance craze. They had a...