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Mable John
Mable John (November 3, 1930 – August 25, 2022) was an American blues vocalist and was the first female signed by Berry Gordy to Motown's Tamla label. Biography John was born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on November 3, 1930, the eldest of at least nine siblings. At a very young age, she and her parents, Mertis and Lillie (Robinson) John, moved north into Arkansas, where her father got a job in a paper mill near Cullendale, where four of her brothers (including R&B singer Little Willie John) and two sisters were born. In 1941, after her father was able to secure a better job, the family moved to Detroit, where two additional brothers were born. She attended Cleveland Intermediate School, and then Pershing High School. After graduating, she took a job as an insurance representative at Friendship Mutual Insurance Agency, a company run by Berry Gordy's mother, Bertha. Later, she left the company and spent two years at Lewis Business College. She subsequently ran into Mrs. Gordy a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bastrop, Louisiana
Bastrop is a city in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. It is the parish seat of Morehouse Parish. The population was 11,365 at the 2010 census, a decrease of 1,623 from the 12,988 tabulation of 2000. The population of Bastrop is 73 percent African American. It is the principal city of and is included in the Bastrop, Louisiana Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Monroe-Bastrop, Louisiana Combined Statistical Area. History Bastrop was founded by the Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch businessman accused as an embezzler. He had fled to the then Spanish colony of Louisiana to escape prosecution, and became involved in various land deals. In New Spain, he falsely claimed to be a nobleman. He received a large grant of land, provided that he could settle 450 families on it over the next several years. However, he was unable to do this, and so lost the grant. Afterwards, he moved to Texas, where he claimed to oppose the sale of Louisiana to the United States ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Miracles
The Miracles (also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American vocal group that was the first successful recording act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records, and one of the most important and most influential groups in pop, rock and roll, soul and R&B music history. Referred to as Motown's "soul supergroup", the Miracles recorded 26 Top 40 Pop hits, sixteen of which reached the ''Billboard'' Top 20, seven top 10 singles, and a number one single (" The Tears of a Clown") while the Robinsons and Tarplin were members. Following the departure of Tarplin and the Robinsons, the rest of the group continued with singer Billy Griffin and managed by Martin Pichinson who helped rebuild the Miracles, they scored two final top 20 singles, " Do It Baby" and " Love Machine", a second No. 1 hit, which topped the charts before the group departed for Columbia Records in 1977, recording as a quintet with Billy's brother Donald Griffin replacing Marv Tarplin, where ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
20 Feet From Stardom
''20 Feet from Stardom'' is a 2013 American documentary film directed by documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville and produced by Gil Friesen, a music industry executive whose curiosity to know more about the lives of background singers inspired the making of the film. The film follows the behind-the-scenes experiences of backup singers and stars Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Tata Vega, and Jo Lawry, among many others. On March 2, 2014, it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy Awards, 23 years after the similar documentary ''In the Shadow of the Stars'' (which focused on the members of an opera chorus instead of its stars) won the same award. Lisa Fischer said of backup singing: "I reject the notion that the job you excel at is somehow not enough to aspire to, that there has to be something more. I love supporting other artists." She added: "Some people will do anything to be famous. I just wanted to sing." Cast * Lou Ad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Honeydripper (film)
''Honeydripper'' is a 2007 American musical drama film written and directed by John Sayles. Plot Filmed and set in Georgiana, Alabama circa 1950, the film stars Danny Glover as the owner of a traditional blues club that is failing and in danger of being taken over until he hires a young electric guitarist (Gary Clark, Jr.) to stand-in as the popular "Guitar Sam" in the hopes of attracting a younger crowd. The film also stars musician Keb' Mo' as a mysterious blind guitarist, actor/comedian Kel Mitchell and singer Mable John. Rhythm and blues singer Ruth Brown recorded some songs for the film and was cast to play the role ultimately played by John, but died before filming started. Cast * Danny Glover as Tyrone "Pine Top" Purvis * Lisa Gay Hamilton as Delilah * Yaya DaCosta as China Doll * Charles S. Dutton as Maceo * Vondie Curtis-Hall as Slick * Gary Clark, Jr. as Sonny Blake * Mable John as Bertha Mae * Stacy Keach as Sheriff Pugh * Nagee Clay as Scratch * Absalom Adams as L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Sayles
John Thomas Sayles (born September 28, 1950) is an American independent film director, screenwriter, editor, actor, and novelist. He has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, for ''Passion Fish'' (1992) and '' Lone Star'' (1996). His film ''Men with Guns'' (1997) was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. His directorial debut, '' Return of the Secaucus 7'' (1980), has been added to the National Film Registry. Early life Sayles was born on September 28, 1950, in Schenectady, New York, the son of Mary ( ''née'' Rausch), a teacher, and Donald John Sayles, a school administrator. Both of Sayles's parents were Catholic and of half-Irish descent. Sayles has referred to himself as a "Catholic atheist". He attended Williams College with frequent collaborators Gordon Clapp and David Strathairn, as well as his longtime partner, Maggie Renzi. Sayles earned a B.A. in psychology in 1972. Career After college, Sayles moved to Bo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Ritz
David Ritz (born December 2, 1943 in New York City) is an American author. He has written novels, biographies, magazine articles, and over a hundred liner notes for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Nat King Cole. He has coauthored 36 autobiographies, including some celebrities' autobiographies. Career and bibliography As a journalist “Happy Song: Soul Music in the Ghetto,” Ritz’s first critical essay, was published in '' Salmagundi'' (1970). Dozens of other articles have followed, including “History of the Jews of Dallas,” ''D Magazine'' (1974); “Kids’ Stuff: Jackson Pollock, Jimmie Vaughan and the Architecture of Las Vegas,” ''Art Connoisseur'' (1998); “Show and Tell,” introduction to Rolling Stone’s ''Tattoo Nation'' (2002); the forward to ''Lady Sings the Blues'', the 50th-anniversary edition of the autobiography of Billie Holiday (2006); and “The Last Days of Brother Ray,” included in ''Da Capo's Best Music Writing of 2005''. As a b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crenshaw Christian Center
The Crenshaw Christian Center is a non-denominational megachurch based in Los Angeles, California. It has around 28,000 members. History The church was founded in 1973 by Frederick K. C. Price in Inglewood, California. In 1981, the church bought the old Pepperdine University campus in South Los Angeles. After the purchase, Price oversaw construction of a new sanctuary, called the "FaithDome", which at the time was the largest domed church in the United States. In 1989, the building is inaugurated with 10,145 seats. The church had greatly expanded from the time of its previous location at 9550 Crenshaw Boulevard in Inglewood, California, but still required three services for its growing congregation until the building of the FaithDome. In 2007 Frederick K.C. Price, who was then pastor, filed a defamation suit after the ABC television network aired a segment of their ''20/20'' investigative journalism program about certain of the largest, well-known Christian ministries i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Motorcity Records
Motorcity Records is a British record label formed by producer Ian Levine in 1989. The label aimed to record new material with former Motown artists. History Levine, a Motown fan since his childhood in the 1960s, was offered a chance to record Kim Weston on his Hi-NRG label Nightmare in 1987. The result ''Signal Your Intention'' topped the UK Hi-NRG charts and met with enthusiasm from Motown fans. Kim Weston brought other former Motown acts to the label, including Mary Wells (of '' My Guy'' fame), The Velvelettes and Marv Johnson. Mary Wilson of The Supremes followed next and during 1988, a full Motown reunion began to take shape. In April 1989, more than 60 artists gathered in front of the Hitsville studios in Detroit, receiving ample media coverage. Later in the year, Levine changed the label name to Motorcity Records. Joined by former Motown writers like Sylvia Moy, Johnny Bristol and Ivy Jo Hunter, Levine and his crew wrote and produced around the clock, getting the ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Raelettes
The Raelettes (or occasionally The Raelets or The Raeletts) were an American girl group formed in 1958 to provide backing vocals for Ray Charles. They were reformed from the group The Cookies. Between 1966 and 1973, the Raelettes recorded on Tangerine Records as a separate act produced and accompanied by Charles. History Reformed by Ray Charles from the all-girl singing group The Cookies, Charles first invited The Cookies for a recording session in New York City, in August 1956, where they taped "Lonely Avenue", "I Want To Know" and "Leave My Woman Alone". The Cookies' lineup at the time consisted of Margie Hendrix, Dorothy Jones, and Darlene McCrea. The Raelettes were officially established in 1958. The first lineup consisted of Darlene McCrea, Margie Hendricks, Patricia Lyles, and Gwendolyn Berry. The Raelettes were an integral part of Charles' organization and provided backing vocals on various hits, such as "Night Time Is the Right Time" (1958), "What'd I Say" (1959) a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Your Good Thing (Is About To End)
"Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" is a song written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The song was originally recorded by Mable John in 1966. It peaked at number 95 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number 6 on the R&B Charts. Lou Rawls recording In 1969, a version was released as a single by Lou Rawls Louis Allen Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006) was an American record producer, singer, composer and actor. Rawls released more than 60 albums, sold more than 40 million records, and had numerous charting singles, most notably his s ..., from his album ''The Way It Was: The Way It Is''. His version reached number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and number 3 on the Hot Rhythm and Blues Singles chart. Additional cover versions "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" has been recorded by various artists for over 50 years. References 1966 singles 1969 singles Lou Rawls songs Songs written by Isaac Hayes Songs written by David Porter (musician) 1966 songs Ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother Ray". Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma. Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles into the music he recorded for Atlantic Records. He contributed to the integration of country music, rhythm and blues, and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, notably with his two ''Modern Sounds'' albums. While he was with ABC, Charles became one of the first black musicians to be granted artistic control by a mainstream record company. Charles's 1960 hit "Georgia On My Mind" was the first of his three career No. 1 hits on the ''Billboard'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Raelettes
The Raelettes (or occasionally The Raelets or The Raeletts) were an American girl group formed in 1958 to provide backing vocals for Ray Charles. They were reformed from the group The Cookies. Between 1966 and 1973, the Raelettes recorded on Tangerine Records as a separate act produced and accompanied by Charles. History Reformed by Ray Charles from the all-girl singing group The Cookies, Charles first invited The Cookies for a recording session in New York City, in August 1956, where they taped "Lonely Avenue", "I Want To Know" and "Leave My Woman Alone". The Cookies' lineup at the time consisted of Margie Hendrix, Dorothy Jones, and Darlene McCrea. The Raelettes were officially established in 1958. The first lineup consisted of Darlene McCrea, Margie Hendricks, Patricia Lyles, and Gwendolyn Berry. The Raelettes were an integral part of Charles' organization and provided backing vocals on various hits, such as " Night Time Is the Right Time" (1958), "What'd I Say" (195 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
