Roots Archives Forum

HARMON BETHEA:
Jump-blues vocal group veteran of the `50s (the Cap-Tans on Dot) who returned after years of obscurity to hit the national charts with the "Funky Maskman And The Agents". Currently scoring on Musicor Records.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BENNY BENJAMIN:
Unsung genius of Detroit. Benny`s socking drumming on all of Motown`s formative hits was instrumental in the establishment of the Motown sound until his tragically premature death.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BROOK BENTON:
The warm, caressing voice of Brook first broke on the U.S. scene in 1958. Within a year he`d recorded the first of his classic Mercury hits "It`s Just A Matter Of Time". For five years his gentle, relaxed approach gave Brook gigantic popularity. The gradual decline (RCA and Reprise) was halted by Atlantic (Cotillion) who by use of bluesier accompaniments and material were able to make him a major soul artist, especially with "Midnight Train To Georgia" and "Shoes".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

CHUCK BERRY:
Often referred to as the `greatest rock and roll artist of all time`, Chuck`s fusion of downhome Chicago blues and hillbilly music sprang to national prominence in 1955 when his frantic guitar and exuberant voice shouted "Maybellene" across the nation`s airways. His classic singles like "Roll Over Beethoven", "School Day", "Rock And Roll Music", "Johnny B. Goode", and "Sweet Little Sixteen" eventually proved to be even more important than their initial chart success. After a prison spell he became the R&B performer, ripped off by hordes of pop artists who memorised the frantic guitar licks and wryly humorous teen-cult songs. But justice has been done and pop`s riches have been pushed Chuck`s way.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

RICHARD BERRY:
Veteran R&B man who sang (or talked) on some of the Robins classic hits and later doowahed in the Flairs, before writing and originally recording the classic "Louie Louie" in 1957.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BIG MACEO:
Maceo Merriweather, one of the greatest blues pianists, gained popularity with RCA`s Bluebird label in the `30s and hit with "32-20" and his classic composition "Worried Life Blues".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BIG MAYBELLE:
Mabel Smith, an R&B veteran of immense emotional power and a totally raw, unsophisticated voice worked with Tiny Bradshaw in `47 and by the `50s was clocking up hits for Savoy. Her blues turned to R&B and pop and her label to Okeh. Eventually soul music claimed her and she had hits with Rojac Records--almost up to her death.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BILLY AND LILLY:
A popular duo in 1957-8 with trite novelties like "La De Da" and "Lucky Ladybug" (Swan). Band leader Billy (Ford) returned as a soul writer/producer on Tower in the `60s.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

BUMPS BLACKWELL:
Worked in Los Angeles as staff producer for Specialty Records. Despite producing R&B hits, it`s his work with Little Richard as producer and occasional writer of several rock classics for which he`s best remembered.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

OTIS BLACKWELL:
Gained extraordinary success as a songwriter in the `50s writing numerous R&B hits and also smashes for Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley. As "Davenport" he wrote Little Willie John`s "Fever".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace