Stevie Wonder　

Stevie Wonder is a much-beloved American icon and an indisputable genius not only of R＆B but popular music in general. Blind virtually since birth, Wonder’s heightened awareness of sound help ..more

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles　

Scoring over 40 hits in the R＆B Top 40 charts, the Miracles started out as the Five Chimes in the mid-’50s while the members were still in high school. The Detroit vocal group consisted of ..more

Sheila E　

During the mid-’80s, Sheila E. was the biggest and brightest of Prince’s protegees, unique in seeming that she could stand toe to toe with the Purple One. Certainly during his post-Revoluti ..more

Sam Cooke　

Sam Cooke was the most important soul singer in history -- he was also the inventor of soul music, and its most popular and beloved performer in both the black and white communities. Equally ..more

Rockie Robbins　

Born Edward W. Robbins, Jr. in Minneapolis, balladeer Rockie Robbins began singing at an early age. Working with famed arranger/producers Richard Evans (Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson) and ..more

Ray Charles　

Ray Charles was the musician most responsible for developing soul music. Singers like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson also did a great deal to pioneer the form, but Charles did even more to ..more

Prince　

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the ’80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents of the rock ＆ roll era, capable of seamlessly tying together po ..more

Otis Redding　

One of the most influential soul singers of the 1960s, Otis Redding exemplified to many listeners the power of Southern deep soul -- hoarse, gritty vocals, brassy arrangements, and an emoti ..more

Ohio Players　

With their slinky, horn-powered grooves, impeccable musicianship, and eye-popping album covers, the Ohio Players were among the top funk bands of the mid-’70s. Emerging from the musical hotbed of D ..more

Michael Jackson　

Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the ’80s, and certainly one of the most popular recording artists of all time. In his prime, Jackson was an unstoppable juggernaut, possessed ..more

Maurice White　

Singer/drummer/songwriter/producer Maurice White founded the ’70s supergroup Earth, Wind ＆ Fire. White, a former session drummer for legendary Chicago-based labels OKeh Records and {@Chess ..more

Marvin Gaye　

One of the most gifted, visionary, and enduring talents ever launched into orbit by the Motown hit machine, Marvin Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular black music. Movin ..more

Kool & The Gang　

Formed as a jazz ensemble in the mid-’60s, Kool ＆ the Gang became one of the most inspired and influential funk units during the ’70s, and one of the most popular R＆B groups of the ’80s af ..more

Jordan Rakei　

A soul-rooted alternative R＆B artist who sings, writes, produces, and plays keyboards, Australian Jordan Rakei debuted in 2013 with Franklin’s Room, a self-released six-track EP. A remarkably ma ..more

James Brown　

Soul Brother Number One, the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Mr. Dynamite -- those are mighty titles, but no one can question that James Brown earned them more ..more

The Isley Brothers　

First formed in the early ’50s, the Isley Brothers enjoyed one of the longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music -- over the course of nearly a half-centur ..more

Earth, Wind & Fire　

Earth, Wind ＆ Fire were one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially popular funk bands of the ’70s. Conceived by drummer, bandleader, songwriter, kalimba player, ..more

Donna Summer　

Donna Summer’s title as the Queen of Disco wasn’t mere hype -- she was one of the very few disco performers to enjoy a measure of career longevity, and her consistent chart success was riva ..more

Dionne Warwick　

It is easier to define Dionne Warwick by what she isn’t rather than what she is. Although she grew up singing in church, she is not a gospel singer. Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan are clea ..more

Dee C Lee