Author : joe bodego

A trio of sisters with a strong gospel base, the Emotions (based in Chicago) were one of the leading female R&B acts of the ’70s....

Born on January 11, 1935, in Chicago, Chuck Barksdale is one of the original members of the R&B group the Dells. The Dells (originally known...

The Dells were one of the finest and longest-lived R&B vocal groups in history, and what’s most amazing is that they did it with nearly...

Bo Diddley was an American musician who played a significant role in the development of rock and roll music. Born as Ellas Otha Bates, he...

Minnie Riperton was an American singer-songwriter best known for her five-octave vocal range and her 1975 hit single “Lovin’ You.” Born on November 8, 1947,...

The Visionary Behind Earth, Wind & Fire Maurice White, a trailblazing singer, drummer, songwriter, and producer, remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century...

A Legacy of Jazz and Community Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr., the world-renowned jazz musician and composer, began his journey into music at the tender age...

In 1950s Chicago, two Polish Jewish brothers founded the hugely influential Chess Records label. Working with artists like Chuck Berry and Howlin’ Wolf, they released...

Founded in 1950, Chess Records captured a vibrant new style of American music with roots in the American South that influenced and inspired rock and...

Charles Stepney was a highly influential American record producer, arranger, and composer. Born on August 26, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, Stepney made significant contributions to...