5 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Rhythm and Blues is a term used in the black community to describe," race music," as it was called before it got its name from John Wexler the 1947 editor for Billboard magazine. R&B originated from blues and folk music. Later, combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African American artists.

Back in the 1940's the popular artists were Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. The sound of the era was a big band jazz feel.

In the 1950's Nat King Cole was burning up the charts with clean music with a jazzy feel and a little folksy sounding. Enter Elvis Presley. He was "All Shook Up," gyrating across the stage adding a little rock and roll to the soul.

The 1960's, the year of the crooners. The likes of Sam Cook wanted you to know it's a, "Wonderful World." Aretha Franklin demanded, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." Gladys Knight was following her man on the, "Midnight Train to Georgia." Ray Charles had his home town, "Georgia On My Mind." The Temptations sang about "My Girl." The sound was Baptist church infused.

New flavor was born in the 1970's, Michael Jackson was a cute little black kid singing about his "ABC's." Dianna Ross told us, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," to stop her from stardom. Smokey Robinson was wearing, "Tears of a Clown." R&B took on a "let me tell you how I feel," sound reminiscent of the Blues Era.

Rock put in an appearance fused with pop in the 1980's. "Another One Bites the Dust," by Queen was blaring through every high school student's boom box later termed the "ghetto blaster." Lipps Incorporated was taking us to, "Funky Town." Have you noticed the trend? This time Sugarhill Gang changed the game. For the first time underground music known as Rap hit the charts with their single, "Rappers Delight."

The 1990's was a year for all music lovers. Michael Bolton a white man crooned the soulful tune, "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You." Paula Abdul of Indian descent was sure, "Opposites Attract," in an upbeat dance tune kind of reminiscent of the disco music of the 1970's. Madonna hit the scene with a brand new sound blazing up all the charts introducing pop. We all were striking a pose as if we were in, "Vogue." Mariah Carey released a powerful voice singing, "Vision of Love." Whitney Houston (before the Bobby Brown years) belted, "I'm Your Baby Tonight." I'd like to pay thanks for the Beastie Boys, "Paul Revere." That's what rap is supposed to sound like, doesn't matter if you're black or white you got to have flavor!

The majority of the artists

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about R&B music: Past, present and future?
We want to hear your view. Write now!