soul music

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'Godfather of Black Music' Dead at 92
'Godfather
of Black Music'
Has Died
OBITUARY

'Godfather of Black Music' Has Died

Clarence Avant was 92

(Newser) - Clarence Avant, the judicious manager, entrepreneur, facilitator, and adviser known as the "Godfather of Black Music" who helped launch or guide the careers of Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, and many others, has died. He was 92. Avant, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, died...

The 'King of Soul'—Killed in an FBI Cover-Up?
The 'King of Soul'—Killed
in an FBI Cover-Up?
in case you missed it

The 'King of Soul'—Killed in an FBI Cover-Up?

Netflix will air new episode of 'ReMastered' on Feb. 8

(Newser) - Sam Cooke was shot dead in 1964—but was it a "justifiable homicide," as the courts ruled, or a conspiracy against a prominent Civil Rights activist? That's what the Netflix docu-series ReMastered purports to reveal in its next episode, per Rolling Stone . A Los Angeles hotel manager...

Kidnapped to Impersonate Aretha, She Became a Star
'I Was Scared': Kidnapped
Singer Becomes a Star
longform

'I Was Scared': Kidnapped Singer Becomes a Star

Vickie Jones took an unexpected road to success

(Newser) - She started as Mary Jane Jones, became Vickie Jones, performed as Aretha Franklin, and returned to the life of Mary Jane Jones—with a kidnapping, an arrest, and a spell of stardom in between, the Smithsonian reports. Jones was a standout gospel singer in ramshackle West Petersburg, Virginia, in the...

'Screaming Eagle' of Soul Dead at 68
'Screaming Eagle'
of Soul Dead at 68
OBITUARY

'Screaming Eagle' of Soul Dead at 68

Charles Bradley found success later in life in style of his idol, James Brown

(Newser) - Charles Bradley, known as the "Screaming Eagle of Soul" for a powerful, raspy style that evoked one of his musical heroes, James Brown, died Saturday at age 68. Bradley, who achieved success later in life with his 2011 debut album No Time for Dreaming," was diagnosed with stomach...

Cuba Gooding Sr. Found Dead in Car

Foul play not suspected in soul singer's death

(Newser) - Tragedy for Cuba Gooding Jr.: The Oscar-winning actor's father, soul singer Cuba Gooding Sr., was found dead in his car on a Los Angeles street Thursday afternooon, NBC News reports. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that emergency workers were unable to resuscitate the 72-year-old after he was found slumped...

Maxwell and K'Jon Force Soul Music to Grow Up
Maxwell and K'Jon Force
Soul Music to Grow Up
ALBUM REVIEWS

Maxwell and K'Jon Force Soul Music to Grow Up

Maxwell, K'Jon lead return to classical soul era's adult themes and sound

(Newser) - Soul music has always been adult, conveying mature themes like financial insecurity and emotional anxiety. Now, with the emergence of K’Jon and the return of Maxwell, it finally sounds adult, too, Jon Caramanica writes in the New York Times. “K’Jon and Maxwell represent a strain of R&...

Next for Richie: 'World Beat' Disc, Commodores Reunion

(Newser) - Not yet done touring to promote his new album, Lionel Richie is already talking up his next effort, Billboard reports. “I’ve plugged into a world beat somewhere,” Richie said of the upcoming disc, which he will produce himself with collaborators. “I can always tell when I’...

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