This R&B vocal group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, comprising Brenda Payton (d. 14 June 1992), Jerry Jones, Eddie Jackson, and Maurice Coates, was recognizable for the fetchingly innocent-sounding vocals of Payton on a series of intensely sung ballads. Their biggest hit was their 1967 debut single on the Dionn label, ‘Dry My Eyes’ (number 8 US R&B char
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Ruby Stackhouse, 12 March 1947, Hollandale, Mississippi, USA. This Chicago R&B singer made her reputation in 1967 with her one crossover hit, ‘Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)’, which went to number 9 in the R&B charts and number 51 in the pop charts. The song, co-written and produced by Joshie Jo Armstead, featured a typical Chicago-style mid-tempo lo
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The original members of this vocal group from Los Angeles, California, USA, were lead Cal Waymon (1942, Houston, Texas, USA), Carl Gilbert (b. 1943, Toledo, Ohio, USA) and Jean Smith (b. 1945, Arkansas, USA), all graduates of Los Angeles’ Jefferson High School. Waymon, the writer and producer of the group, had a background as a folk singer, and had for a time lived in N
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25 December 1934, Jackson, Mississippi, USA, d. 1986, USA. A formative soul singer with George Leaner’s early 60s Chicago-based One-derful Records label, Mitchell came from the Chicago blues-club scene to launch that label with his fine, self-penned ‘The Town I Live In’, later re-recorded during an even more productive soul period in the 70s with the Malaco su
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26 January 1946, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. This versatile performer was discovered by producer Ollie McLaughlin, who also guided the careers of Del Shannon and Barbara Lewis. An accomplished drummer and clarinettist, Jackson established himself as a singer and composer with ‘Love Makes The World Go Round’, a smooth, melodic mid-tempo single which reached the US R&a
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An R&B vocal group from Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Lost Generation bucked the early 70s major trend in sweet falsetto-led vocal groups by providing a fresh sound of a dry, hard lead. The members were Lowrell Simon (lead), his brother Fred Simon, Larry Brownlee (d. 1978; ex-CODs) and Jesse Dean. Lowrell and Dean had previously been members of the Vondells, who had a local C
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30 January 1946, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This cool, stylish singer made her debut on Sam Cooke’s Sar label in 1962. ‘Selfish One’ (1964), her first single for Chess Records, showcased a mature delivery that further releases, including ‘I’ve Got The Skill’ (1964) and ‘Take Me For A Little While’ (1965), amplified. Tailor-made for prod
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