Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack was born March 4 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio. As a youngster he and his brothers performed Gospel music throughout the mid-west. Bobby began performing Soul and R&B music in the late 1950's. He befriended Sam Cooke who was also a Gospel artist. Cooke invited Womack to join his rhythm and blues band as a back up guitarist in 1960. Womack accepted and dropped out of school to pursue his carreer. In 1962, Bobby's brothers joined him and Cooke forming a group called the Valentinos. They had a hit song called "It's All Over Now" which was picked up and performed by the Rolling Stones.
After the sudden death of Sam Cooke in 1964, Bobby and his brothers had a hard time making hit songs. Bobby went on as a solo artist and worked with artists like Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. He became one of Wilson Pickett's favorite songwriters providing some of his best materials. In the late 60's and early 70's, Womack worked with the likes of Janis Joplin, the J. Geils Band, and Sly and the Family Stone. Some of his hit songs include "Daylight", "A Woman's Gotta Have It", "Fly Me to the Moon", "California Dreamin'" and "That's the Way I Feel About 'Cha".
Bobby Womack divorced his wife in 1970. His brother was murdered by a jealous girlfriend in 1974. Falling upon hard times he turned to drug use and took some time away from the music business. He bounced back in 1982 with a single called "If You Think You're Lonely Now". He also did a duet wit Mick Jagger called "Harlem Shuffle" in 1986. He continued to make music into the 1990's. He is truly a "Soul Man".

Learn to Appreciate Old School Music

What is real music? Is the music on the radio really real? Or is it all an audio illusion? What ever happened to music that inspires love and happiness? I admit there is still good music being made. I enjoy hip hop, r&b, Soul, and Funk. But how can you really appreciate music unless you know the roots of the genre? Hip Hop's roots are in the music that came before it. Funk, R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Blues are the important factors of the growth of the music that millions of people have now grown to love. Without these factors, today's Hip Hop and R&B would not exist. All of today's music is inspired by the forefathers/mothers of the genre. I think that people should take the time to do some research and learn about the old school artists who lead the way for today's music.

Jon B.

Jon B is one of my favorite artists. Although he is not as old school as some of the artists featured on this blog, he is an artist that I listened to as a teenager. He is somewhat old school because he has at least 10 years under his belt as a major artist.
He made his way on the scene when he did a song called "Someone to Love" with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds in the mid 90's. He also has a song with the late great Tupac Shakur called "R U still down". He has written and produced songs for Toni Braxton, After 7, and Color Me Bad.
Jon B was born Jonathan David Buck in Rhode Island in 1974. His father was a music professor and his mother was a concert pianist. His family was deeply rooted in classical music. He learned to play piano at age 9. He moved out to California at age 5 where he frequented his grandparents music store. There he heard artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, the Bee Gees, and Donna Summer. As he got older some of his musical influences include Stevie Wonder and Babyface. Jon did not choose to go down the classical path. He liked music with a beat. In addition to the piano Jon B. plays the drums and bass guitar. After his success with "Someone to Love", labels didnt know how to accept him because he was a white guy who sang traditionally black music.
My perosnal favorite album is Cool Relax. Today Jon B is back with a new album and his own label. The album is called Hopeless Romantic. He has set the precedents for others who are now doing what he was doing 10 years ago. When asked his opinion on Robin Thicke he said "-they always ask me what do I think about his success, and I tell them straight up, I'm not worried about another grown man."
Check out the Interview!

Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets Band

Started as the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets Band, brothers Charlie Wilson, Robert Wilson and Ronnie Wilson formed the Gap Band. The name was change due to it being so long. The original name came from the streets of North Tulsa, Ok where the brothers were born and raised. The brothers formed the group as teenagers and played many venues in Tulsa. They played country clubs, bars and anywhere else that their musical talents were needed.
The oldest brother Ronnie, started a band at the age of 14. His younger brother Charlie joined a rival band. The brothers joined forces when young Charlie was convinced to join his brother's band. Robert who is the youngest, joined his brothers after they lost their bass player. After touring the Tulsa area, Charlie became interested in California. Soon after his arrival he came in contact with Lonnie Simmons the late 70's. They recorded at his studio and performed at his night club. A single called "Shake" was their first to reach the Top 10 music chart. "I Don't Believe You Want to Get up and Dance(Oops Up Side Your Head)" reached number 4 in 1980. Their first number one hit was "Burn Rubber(Why You Want to Hurt Me)" They also did movie soundtracks for Penitentiary III and I'm Gonna Get You Sucker.
The brothers are still actively recording. Ronnie is a pastor and has performed in the stage play Mama, I'm Sorry. Charlie Wilson has been recording vocals for Hip Hop artists like Snoop Dogg and T-Pain. He has been consistently making good music. Check him out. We all love Uncle Charlie!!! Greenwood, Archer and Pine!!! Great Stuff!!!

The Great Al Green

Al Green is soul singer who's musical roots began in the South. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, he and his brothers formed a gospel quartet named The Greene Brothers. They toured the southern circuit until the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Al's father kicked him out of the group because he was caught listening to Jakie Wilson.
After being removed from the group Al formed a group named Al Green and the Creations at age 16. The group had little success. Al went on to sign a record deal with Hi Records in 1969 releasing his first hit single "Tired of Being Alone" in 1970. He released the album Let's Stay Together in 1972. This album the first album to have Top 10 chart success. He followed with I'm Still in Love With You a few months later. This album reached number 4 on the pop charts. Songs like "Love and Happiness" and "I'm Still in Love With You" helped to make the album certified gold.
Through the 70's, Green produced and performed many more chart ranking songs and albums. In the late 70's and early 80's he decided to go back to his roots of gospel music. He performed and preached at his church and other churches. He has received many achievement awards for is contribution to Soul, R&B and Gospel music, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2004.
Al Green has been a consistent force in the soul music genre. An autobiography named Take Me to the River was released in 2000. He has been making good music for decades. His latest album was released in May of 2008. It is titled Lay It Down. It features production from ?uestlove of The Roots and collaborations with Anthony Hamilton and John Legend. The Reverend Al Green is definitely "one of the Greats" and deserves every standing ovation for his many accomplishments. He deserves many thanks for his inspirational, love filled music.

Cameo

Cameo is a funk band from the 70's and 80's era. The group was formed in 1974 and was originally named the New York City Players. The group changed its named to Cameo around 1977 after a label signing.
The lead vocalist/ songwriter is Larry Blackmon. Other members included Tomi Jenkins and Nathan Leftenant. Their debut album was called Cardiac Arrest. Some of my favorite songs are in my playlist. If you like some of the music, I suggest you purchase Casablanca's 1993 compilation The Best of Cameo.

Keep It Hot

Favorite Old School

Who is your favorite old school artist?