Interviews
Norma Jean Wright
Norma-Jean made the move to the Big Apple on the advice of a school friend and embarked on a singing career that continues today. Lead singer with the legendary band Chic, a successful solo artist and an in-demand backing singer, Norma chats about her life in music...
Sandy Young (nee Kerr)
Have you heard Sandy Young's brand new release? Sandy recorded her first hit over 40 years ago with her debut self-penned hip-hop song Thug Rock, and that was just the beginning. As a solo artist and also recording with her siblings under the family name Kerr, (her...
Gary Rubin – Detroit label owner, producer, recording engineer
For over 100 years now Detroit has been a hotbed of musical talent with over 1500 labels operating alongside each other, issuing music from the Motor City alone Having shown an interest in the art of recording at a very young age, by the time he was 12 years old Gary...
Judy Street
Born into a musical family, Judy Street began singing in clubs while at college, until a member of the audience approached her and said "come with me to LA and i'll make you a star" That was an offer too good to refuse and shortly after Judy was in the studio with the...
Elsie Baker Gray of The Debonaires
Elsie began singing professionally as part of Detroit group the Sterophonics in her early teens, a group which, as well as releasing their own material also provided backing vocals for artists such as Spyder Turner, Timmy Shaw and Spencer Stirling. When the...
Retta Young
Retta Young chats about her life in music
Joe Phillips of The Winstons
Colour Him Father' sold a million copies for Washington DC band The Winstons' at the peak of their career in 1969. Today they're still performing and recording having just released the lead single 'There Are More Good Men Than Bad' and there's more good news! It's...
Chris Amoo of The Real Thing
Liverpool is world famous for its musical talent and in the 1970s the city gave us four young men from Toxteth who are still today the UKs biggest ever black British group. The Real Thing were catapulted into our living rooms having won the TV talent show Opportunity...
Sandi Everett of Whirlwind
You know how they say everything happens for a reason? In 1974 Sandi Everett met Ron Foster of Ecstasy Passion & Pain and encouraged him to see her group, Whirlwind, perform. He did, he was impressed, introduced them to Roulette Records and the rest, as they say,...
Millie Jackson
Sometimes the best things begin with a dare, like Millie Jackson's singing career for example.. Out with the girls at an open-mic night in NYC, Millie was challenged by her workmates to get up on stage and when she did, she impressed a member of the audience so much...
Carol Williams
Carol Williams is probably best known for her Salsoul period which gave the world disco classics like Love Is You and More, but her life as a recording artist began much earlier as lead singer with The Pennies, The Geminis and Back East. Continuing to evolve with the...
Martha High – Goddess of Soul
Martha was much more than a singer with the James Brown Revue, she was his friend, constant companion and also his hairstylist, for 32 years! Hear how Martha broke into the music business with a little help from Bo Diddley, setting her on a path that has continued...
Connie Laverne Harvey
Connie Laverne Harvey is a singer songwriter and vocal coach, perhaps best known in the UK for her very desirable 1974 modern soul record Can't Live Without You although she's done so much more. Once described as one of the hottest backing singers in New York, in...
Jocelyn Brown
Probably best known for her self-penned smash hit Somebody Else's Guy in 1984, Jocelyn chats about her life in music and her many collaborations as a featured artist Jocelyn is performing live at the Jazz Cafe on 20th & 21st January 2023 (you can buy your tickets...
Jesse James
James McLelland aka Jesse James cut his first 45 aged just 17, the first in a long and illustrious career in music that brought us great soul music like 'Believe In Me Baby, 'Are You Gonna Leave Me' and the modern soul anthem that is 'If You Want A Love Affair' Jesse...
Candace Woodson
Having enjoyed a long career as an entertainer despite being a single mum of two boys, South Carolina songstress Candace has been sharing her gift with an enthusiastic public across the globe since she released her breakout recording 'Free' in 2014. Her debut album...
Margo Thunder
Imagine winning a talent contest, aged 10, that gave you a gig at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Then imagine you’re on the same bill as Aretha Franklin and Cissy Houston too!
Bill Sharpe of Shakatak
Ex BBC studio manager Bill Sharpe made his first recording with his group Tracks in 1978 before going on to form the legendary band Shakatak in 1980. Since then Bill has released 40 albums in as many years with Shakatak, plus collaborations with Gary Newman, Annabella...
Dr. Ira Raibon
Ira is a multi-instrumentalist who at the age of 14 years began teaching music and arranging scores professionally. His first recording, as the General Soul Assembly, saw him share studios with Los Angeles outfit King George and The Fabulous Souls with whom he went...
Jeffrey Daniel of Shalamar
Singer, songwriter, actor and choreographer Jeffrey Daniel amassed over 100 gold, silver and platignum awards with Shalamar. Here Jeffrey discusses his career which began as a dancer on the iconic TV show soul train, his pivotal role in pop sensations Shalamar,...
Dwayne ‘Loc’ Lomax of The Detroit Emeralds
Freelance drummer Dwayne 'Loc' Lomax has spent his life beating the rhythm for industry legends such as Bobby Womack, Millie Jackson, David Ruffin, and Martha Reeves to name but a few. Now, at the request of former lead singer James Mitchell, Loc has stepped forward...
Stefan Taylor of The Signatures
Despite being just 27 years old Stefan has shared the spotlight with some of the biggest influencers of soul music including Tommy Hunt, Gloria Jones, Dean Parrish, Brenda Holloway, Sidney Barnes and many many more. Here Stefan chats about life with The Signatures and...
Nekita Waller
Nekita Waller is many things, singer, songwriter, arranger, mentor and, in her role of State Troubador, she's the official singer for the state of Connecticut Her debut release on UK label six nine records sold out almost on pre-order and now Nekita is working hard on...
Robert Upchurch of The Trammps
The Trammps, hailing from Philadelphia, were one of the first disco bands. They had major successes with Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart, Hold Back The Night and, of course, the grammy award winning Disco Inferno. Here, Robert Upchurch recounts his life in music,...
Robert Cotter
New York City was rightly acknowledged to be the disco epicentre of the world in the mid-70s with local talent bubbling beneath as well as above the surface. The Big Apple Band, featuring Robert Cotter, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards was one such group that deserved...
Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls
The Jones Girls burst onto the global music scene in 1979 with their hit single You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else. This was the start of a very successful period at Philadelphia International Ltd during which they released 5 albums, but it didn't start or even...
Ken Henderson & Alfonso Jones
Following a chance meeting while on R&R from the USAF, Ken Henderson and Alfonso Jones struck up a lifelong friendship and soonafter, the much sought after modern soul track I'm Gonna Get Ya was born. Here the guys recount that meeting and its fruit, as well as...
Cal Street – lead singer of The Velvelettes
Cal was only 14 years old when she and four friends formed a singing group without a name. After winning a talent show in her home town of Kalamazoo, MI, the newly titled Velvelettes were encouraged to audition for Motown by Berry Gordy's nephew. However, despite a 5...
Wardell Piper
Wardell is a dance, disco, funk, R&B music artist legend. She received international acclaim with her hits Super Sweet, Captain Boogie, The Power Of Love along with recent singles Be Sure, Distant Star and Legendary. Plus she was a founding member of 70s Philly...
Marshall Thompson, founding member of The Chi-Lites
Originally recording as Marshall & The Chi-Lites, The Chi-Lites became one of the best known groups of the 70s thanks to mega hits such as Have You Seen Her and Oh Girl. Here Marshall Thompson recounts his life as the driving force behind a group whose records...
Bobby Patterson
Bobby is a man whose resume includes every aspect of the music business. He's a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, label owner and promoter. At just 10 years old, Bobby began performing publically and as a result he embarked on a career that's...
Jerry ‘Swamp Dogg’ Williams
Best known in Europe for his northern soul classic 'If You Ask Me', Jerry's recording career began as a child musician in 1954. He recorded his debut solo release just 6 years later and here gives a humerous insight into grinding out a living in the 60s. He goes on to...
Kim Weston
Detroit soul legend Kim Weston's recording career began at Motown's Divinity label as part of the gospel group Wright Special before signing with them as a solo artist. Here Kim chats about her life in music as a songwriter, performer, record label owner, radio...
The Ritchie Family
The Ritchie Family is a Philadelphia based vocal group steeped in disco history. They achieved several hits during the disco era including the dance anthem 'Best Disco In Town'. That remains one of the biggest selling disco releases ever ! Here, original members...
Gerald Alston of The Manhattans
When Gerald was asked to lend his PA equipment to local band The Manhattans for a performance in his school there was no way he could have known that less than a year later he would join them as lead vocalist, and be attracting sell-out audiences around the world....
Linda Clifford
You know that thing where you double-dare a school friend into entering a beauty pageant, win it and soon wish you hadn't? Former Miss New York State Linda Clifford began singing professionally at just 4 years old. She appeared on TV and in blockbuster films before...
Eric Mercury
Born into a musical family, Canadian born Eric performed with groups The Pharoes and The Soul Searchers before relocating to New York and embarking on a solo career that took him to a variety of platforms including Stax, Motown and Columbia. An all-round performer,...
Shelly Clark of The Honey Cone
What were you doing aged 6? Mashelle (Shelly) Clark was already a professional entertainer appearing in the Broadway hit 'House Of Flowers' and also touring with Cab Calloway in the Cotton Club Revue. She secured a recording contract with Columbia records alongside...
Yvonne Vernee
Discovered at a talent show singing with Detroit girl group The Donays, Yvonee was offered a solo contract at Correc-Tone when the group disbanded and created the northern soul anthem Just Like You Did Me. Shortly after she was recruited to replace Saundra Edwards in...
The Whispers
In the annals of R&B history, the Whispers have earned a solid and memorable position as one of the world’s longest-running vocals groups. Celebrating over 50 years in the industry, they are the cream of soul, embellishing smooth ballads and upbeat dance...
Sunday Williams
Sunday Williams' northern soul 45 'Ain't Got No Problems' was local label AlTeen's biggest success. It was soon picked up by Chess records, although not enough to prevent the stuggling AlTeen label from folding. Sunday continued to work as a backing singer /...
Dutch Robinson
Singer, songwriter, producer and actor Teddy 'Dutch' Robinson was the original lead singer with the Ohio Players and stayed for their first 3 albums before leaving for a solo career that produced the modern soul classic 'Can't Get Along Without You' Teaming up with...
Billy Valentine
Singer, songwriter, producer and one half of the Valentine Brothers, began his professional career as a warm up artist for the likes of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack before being invited to join the Young Holt Trio to form Young Holt Unlimited. Ady caught up with...
Jeanie Tracy
Described by Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle as being one of the top ten singers of all time, Jeanie is probably best known for her self-penned modern soul classic Making New Friends. Her career began long before that sought-after 45 and continues to this day and...
Kevin Sanlin (Montclairs / Perry & Sanlin)
Singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Kevin helped form The Montclairs who were a sweet vocal harmony group in St Louis. Their debut recording brought them to the attention of the legendary Oliver Sain who took them to Jewel/Paula records where northern soul...
Junior
Junior first began singing in a local band at the age of 14, encouraged by the sounds of doo-wop, early Motown, soul and reggae. This hobby soon became a full time musical career and Junior realised that his talents lay in writing and performing his own music. His...
George McCrae
George McCrae's debut single as a solo artist "Rock Your Baby" was one of the landmark recordings of early disco music. Having sold 11 million copies, it is one of fewer than 40 all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) physical copies worldwide. George is...
Clydene Jackson
Songwriter, arranger, pianist and award winning singer, Clydene Jackson is best known on the soul scene for her 1975 Ray Charles produced LP 'Fresh' featuring the killer cut 'I Need Your Love'. Meanwhile, she has written songs for Natalie Cole, CM Lord, Rozalin Woods...
Gloria Jones
Known as 'The Queen of Northern Soul', Gloria Jones is a singer/songwriter for labels such as Motown, EMI, Sidewalk and Uptown. A prolific backing singer, she also took to the stage performing in musicals such as Hair, she is mother to Marc Bolan's son Rolan and very...
G. C. Cameron
'G' as he likes to be known, is credited with having six different voices. He's perhaps best known as the lead singer of The Spinners on their 1970 hit It's A Shame and for his modern soul favourites Strong Love and You're What's Missing In My Life. Here 'G' chats...
Norman Connors
Legendary jazz drummer, writer, producer & arranger Norman Connors, who's career has spanned 60 years, has led some influential jazz and R&B groups achieving big hits featuring the vocal talent of Phyllis Hyman, Michael Henderson, Rena Scott, Gloria Jones,...
Freda Payne
First recording as a jazz singer for ABC Paramount's Impact label, Freda shot to stardom following a chance meeting with school friends Brian and Eddie Holland. They invited her to join their fledgling label Invictus, through whom she released three albums and earned...
Norman Carter of The Delfonics (R.I.P.)
At the request of founder member William Hart, Norman Carter continues the Delfonics' legacy with live performances throughout the west coast of America to enthusiastic audiences. Here Norman speaks about his life in music and his pride at stepping into those big...
Chris Clark
Chris Clark began her career with Motown in 1963. Tall, tanned, blue-eyed and bluesey-sounding, Chris was signed as a recording artist and soon moved on to writing music for herself and other Motown artists. She also extended her talents to include photography and...
Harold Payne – songwriter extrordinaire
Harold Payne is a multi-platinum songwriter whose soulful uplifting song and husky heartfelt vocal combined with his uncanny gift for spontaneity have graced stages around the world. Harold was Bobby Womack's songwriting partner for 35 years and has also written for...
Thelma Jones
Thelma Jones burst onto the NYC scene with a smash hit Never Leave Me which launched her career with Barry records before moving to Muscle Shoals after Barry records' demise. Her track 'Salty Tears' brought Thelma to the attention of the mighty Columbia records where...
Patrinell Staten Wright
Patrinell Staten Wright, recording under her maiden name, took Seattle by storm with her self-penned 'Little Love Affair'. Widely considered to be one of the truly 'holy grail' tracks on the UK soul scene, her roots and calling was in the world of gospel music. In...
Gilbert Stokes (El Chicano & The Latin Soul Dance Band)
Gilbert Stokes was born and raised in East LA. Making music from a young age he went on to become front man for Gold and Platinum winning group El Chicano during their Columbia years and still performs around LA with the Latin Soul Dance Band amongst others. You can...
Arenita Toni Walker (The Lollipops, Godmoma, Love Anonymous)
Arenita 'Toni' Walker's debut single on local label Impact was a self-penned track called Step Aside Baby. It proved to be very successful for The Lollipops in Detroit, contributing the Motown's decision to buy the label in 1968 which secured both The Lollipops and...
Candi Staton
Candi Staton's long career has produced hits like Nights On Broadway, Stand By Your Man, You Got The Love and of course, Young Hearts Run Free Candi has been inducted into several Hall's of Fame and is a four time Grammy nominee Here she chats to Ady about her life in...
Bonnie (RIP) & Anita Pointer (RIP) of The Pointer Sisters
We regret to report the sad passing of Bonnie on 8th June 2020 and of Anita on 31st December 2022 The Pointer Sisters achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Their career spanned four decades and their repertoire has included such diverse genres as...
Gloria Scott
Gloria Scott's is a name synonymous with Northern Soul, with her Barry White produced anthem (a case of) Too Much Lovemaking continuing to pack dance floors across Europe. Her first venture into the recording studio was with Sly Stone in 1964. Gloria then auditioned...
MIchael Hepburn & Nate Phillips of Pleasure
Mentored by Wayne Henderson, the group Pleasure infused soul, funk and fusion becoming a cult group on the underground black music scene of the late 70s in the UK and the US. They're now back in the studio! Hear band members Michael Hepburn and Nate Phillips recount...
Samm Culley (Skullsnaps / Diplomats / Fatback and more)
Samm Culley's career began as a keyboard player for Tiny Tim & The Hits where he met fellow singers Tom Price and Bill Collier. The trio soon left Tiny Tim and along with Irvin Waters formed The Diplomats who went on onto record as the Skull Snaps. You can hear...
Billy Prince of The Precisions
Not many groups can say that their parent label created a subsidiary imprint purely for their songs but that's just what Sidra did for The Precisions and group member Billy Prince, who sang lead on the northern soul favourite If This Is Love (i'd rather be lonely),...
Joe Bataan
Latin soul legend Joe Bataan was born Bataan Nitollano in 1942 to African-American/Filipino parents. Growing up in Spanish Harlem he inevitably fell into gang culture. Having briefly led a local Puerto Rican street gang named the Dragons, he fell foul of the law and...
Joe ‘Pep’ Harris of the Fabulous Peps and The Undisputed Truth
Joe Harris cut his first 45 as a schoolboy with Little Joe & The Moroccos and went on to lead the Fabulous Peps and sing with the Ohio Players before Norman Whitfield took him to Motown records where he formed The Undisputed Truth. The band are back together and...
Oliver C Brown – KC & The Sunshine Band
Californian Oliver Brown went to Miami to seek his fortune and certainly found it. His talent soon brought him to the attention of Henry Stone of TK Records who employed him as the label's house percussionist, recording with Betty Wright, George & Gwen McCrae, KC...
Bobby Hutton
Harold 'Bobby' Hutton began singing at the age of five. His professional career began In Detroit, Michigan after he won a talent show at the 20 Grand club and was invited to Motown by Mickey Stevenson where he was paired as a songwriter with Raynoma Gordy, however...
Lee Fields
Lee Fields, or 'Little JB' as he is often lovingly referred to in reference to his physical and vocal resemblance to James Brown, is a singer/songwriter/producer who released hi first single in 1969 and has remained active ever since. Currently fronting The...
Archie Bell of The Drells
Archie Bell & The Drells of Houston, Texas were one of the main acts on Philadelphia International Records with hits including Tighten Up, I Can't Stop Dancing, Here I Go Again, Soul City Walk and Don't Let Love Get You Down. Still recording and performing Archie...
Deniece Williams
Recording in the 60s under her maiden name of Deniece Chandler, Deniece Williams is a grammy award winning singer songwriter and producer who achieved success in the 70s and 80s with songs such as Free, Let's Hear It For The Boy and duetting with Johnny Mathis, Too...
Carolyn Crawford
After winning a talent contest in Detroit aged 13 Carolyn, already an accomplished songwriter with a stack of original compositions under her belt, spent the early hours of her 14th birthday recording her debut single for Motown, a self penned track called Forget...
Jimmy James of The Vagabonds
Jimmy James is a Jamaican born singer known for songs like "Come To Me Softly", "A Man Like Me", "Now Is the Time" and "I'll Go Where the Music Takes Me". Based in Britain, he has performed as the lead singer of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds since the mid 1960s and...
Arthur Guillory (The Ascots)
Port Arthur natives, Arthur. C. Guillory, James Duhon and Talmadge Armstrong released some great music as the Ascots, earlier spelled as The Escotts. Recording on local Texan labels Spindletop, American Playboy and latterly Crazy Cajun they are responsible for some...
Tommy Hunt
With over 65 years in show business Tommy Hunt is one of the original pioneers of "Rock 'n' Roll". In the late 50's he was a member of the sensational doo wop group, "The Flamingos", before embarking on his solo career in 1960. Tommy Hunt has worked alongside all the...
William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson – Motown’s First A&R Man
Mickey Stevenson, Motown's 1st A&R man. A songwriter and producer, most famous for his pivotal contribution to Motown's success during the 60s by seeking out artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, arrangers, choreographers, distributors....and generally...
Jimmy Sterling
Jimmy Sterling’s career started at a very young age as a backup drummer for a variety of local groups around Detroit. He also performed with Motown elite’s Edwin Starr and Jimmy Ruffin giving Sterling the opportunity to meet his musical idol David Ruffin who greatly...
Ben Pirani
Soul music is many things to Ben Pirani: It’s positive and it’s hopeful. It’s a soundtrack for struggle, which is where soul music came from in the first place. That the struggle has been happening largely in the black community is not lost on Pirani, who is white —...
Dean Parrish R.I.P.
We regret to announce the passing of Dean Parrish on 9th June 2021 American singer and film/TV actor Dean Parrish, born Phil Anastasi in Brooklyn NY, is probably best known for his northern soul anthem I'm On My Way which became famous for being the last record that...
Lorraine Silver
Lorraine Silver secured a recording contract with UK label PYE aged just 13 and went on to record the Wigan Casino favourite 'Lost Summer Love' Still performing to an enthusiastic crowd, Lorraine tells Ady about her brand new release and her upcoming UK tour You can...
Spyder Turner
Spyder Turner is well loved on the northern soul scene. He caught the eye of MGM records in 1967 and released several 45s and an LP including his big hit Stand By Me plus the popular crossover track I Can't Make It Anymore. Through the 70s and 80s Spyder partnered...
Kris Peterson
Kris Peterson, the blue-eyed soul singer from Detroit, began her singing career with the Nodells and saw the issue of her first single in 1965. Known in northern soul circles for her floor-filler 'Just As Much', Kris went on to release her LP 'A Child's Dream' in...
Myron Edwins (The Edwards Generation)
The Edwards Generation were a San Francisco based family group that released a number of singles and an album during the 1970s. Their releases are highly revered globally by soul and funk connoisseurs. UK label Cordial Recordings have partnered with them in bringing...
Charles Parks III (High Society Players)
The High Society Band were a soulful rhythm band backing vocalists such as Lakeshore Drive, featured on the 1978 release Disco Scene, and also Chicago's Larry Dixon. They cut several tracks in the 1980s which are now available through www.itstillmusic.com. Charles...
Clifford Moore (Eric & The Vikings)
Eric and The Vikings, which comprised Clifford Moore, Eric McClinton and Philip Taylor, were with Motown for over 16 years producing northern soul favourites Time Won't Wait and Hurtin', also providing vocals for artistes such as Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Edwin...
Marlena Lady Black Lace (Molly Holt)
Rising to prominence as vocalist with The Rascals under the name of Molly Holt, singer/songwriter Marlena toured the US headlining venues through the early 70s before leaving to work with Patti Labelle, Meatloaf and Greg Diamond ahead of breaking away as a solo...
Tanya Michelle Smith (Change) chooses the tracks of her years
Lead singer of newly re-formed band Change, Tanya Michelle chats with Ady about their recent CD Love 4 Love which has topped the UK soul chart and chooses the tracks of her years. You can hear Tanya's choices here You can buy Tanya's music here Why not browse...
Barbara Jean English
Barbara Jean English is an artist synonymous with the UK soul scene providing us with ever popular northern soul tunes 'I'm Living A Lie' and '(you got me) Sittin' In The Corner'. She began her performing career in New Jersey leading The Clickettes, and then briefly...
Venus Dodson
Singer/songwriter and member of the legendary Patrick Adams collective in the 70s, Venus Dodson worked alongside Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown, Christine Wiltshire, Leroy Burgess and Donna McGhee. She wrote the massive hit 'Girls' for the Moments and Whatnaughts and...