Many of us believe that ” Memorial Day” is the Official start of the summer season, let’s not forget the true meaning of the Holiday,which is to remember those who gave their lives in military service or Combat so that we may live . We must teach our children the importance of Memorial day. It’s not just a day off from work or school but a day to pay respect to the men & women who died serving this Great Country.
- Marvin Gaye- 1957-US Air Force
- Barry Gordy- 1951- US Army
- Lou Rawls- 1955- US Army
- Bill Withers- 1956- US Navy
- Harry Belafonte 1943- US Navy
- Don Cornelius 1954- US Marines
- Clyde Mcphatter 1954- US Army
- Terrence Trent D’Arby- 1981- US Army
- Ice-T 1975- US Army
- Roy Ayers 1958- US Army
Backbeatrnb wants to say ” Thank You ” for your service as well as all the other men and woman who gave their lives so that we all may live!
BACKBEATRNB “OLD SCHOOL”CD MONTHLY GIVEAWAY – EMAIL -Backbeatrnb Your name and the name of your favorite R&B singer/group to:backbeatrb@gmail.com for a chance to win. The drawing will take place June 1, 2016 . Must be 18 years of age or older.
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER WITH THE SOUND OF “OLD SCHOOL R&B !
Otis Redding’s name is synonymous with soul music ! Redding left a legacy of recordings made during the four-year period from his first sessions with Stax and Volt Records in 1963 until his death in 1967. Ironically, he made a great impact on the R&B charts beginning with “Pain In My Heart” in 1964. The posthumous release of “Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay”, a landmark song was recorded four days before Redding’s death. It spiked to #1 and stayed there for four weeks in early 1968. It marked new directions for the singer towards soul-folk-pop and R&B genre.Redding became known as the voice of soul music after he was discovered recording “These Arms of Mine”,the song quickly took off, rising to No. 20 on the R&B charts in 1963 and that’s when his career soared. Redding began recording for Stax Records, playing the guitar and arranging his own songs. He was known for his energy in the studio and, in 1965, recorded the album Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul in one day. He released “I’ve Been Loving Your Too Long” that same year, and “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” a year later. In 1967, Redding started his own label, Jotis Records, hoping to become more involved behind the scenes. As his career was taking off, he died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967. The song “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” became his first and only No. 1 hit in 1968. He was inducted into the Rock-In-Roll Hall of Fame March 11, 1989.
The Soul Survivors were an R&B group of brothers from Philadelphia. Richie and Charlie Ingui were known for their 1967 hit single, “Expressway to Your Heart”; which was the first hit by Philadelphia soul record producers and songwriters, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
There is a lot of misconception about R&B music dying. Although, there are many styles of music similar to R&B such as Rock-n-Roll, Reggae, Rap and Hip -Hop, the drop in R&B’s popularity and the impact it once had; has caused great concern to R&B Fans.
There were lots of R&B vocalists that used to be #1 chart-toppers in the country. But now they seem to have lost their way on the charts as record sales have plummeted to a significant low. Their presence on radio overall is virtually invisible. So, what happened to this groove of music (Otis Redding, Al Wilson, Percy Sledge, Mary Wilson, the Four Tops etc) that once was, or is it still here?
BackBeat R&B intends to formulate a plan to bring strong feelings back to the Soul. Let’s go back to a song that can make you feel all tingly inside and romantic. 
Al Wilson’s #1 Hit record,” Show and Tell” was a soul classic that many people were conceived from but probably have forgotten. Very romantic and sexy, yet a song one could dance to. Backbeat R&B wants to give good old R&B music an uplift by making people aware of the demise of this genre of classical Soul.
Yes, Classical Soul because of the spirit and vitality R&B gives you. Every one of us can identify with an R&B song that reminds you of your first love, kiss or relationship. Most Baby Boomers can remember the words to many of the old-school songs locked in their long-term memory.
The next time someone says R&B is dying, pull out some of those good old R&B chart-toppers and resurrect their Soul to keep R&B alive.
Ever heard of Blue-Eyed Soul or White Soul R&B? The Righteous Brothers,Tom Jones,The Bee-Gees, Doobie Brothers, Boy George and David Bowie were all Blue Eyed Soul recording Artist who made their way in the R&B world. Blue Eyed Soul was a name given in the early 1960’s to describe white artists who performed R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and Stax record labels.
Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers said many R&B radio stations that played their songs were surprised to find them to be white when they turned up for interviews, one DJ in Philadelphia started saying “Here’s my blue-eyed soul brothers”, and that became a code to signal the audience that they were white singers. The Righteous Brothers were thought to have started the trend for Blue Eyed Soul music and for many DJ’s during the 60’s to play songs performed by white Artist with a Soulful feeling.
American Football player Jim Brown discovered the R&B group Friends of Distinction and Earth, Wind and Fire!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_of_Distinction
Little Anthony and the Imperials first hit single “Tears On My Pillow” sold one million copies and in 1958 they changed their name from “The Chesters” to “The Imperials”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Anthony_and_the_Imperials
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