The 1960s was a period of great upheaval in America, including the rise of R&B music – commonly referred to as soul – or rhythm and blues music. R&B emerged from an amalgam of blues, jazz and gospel influences.
Berry Gordy’s Detroit-based Motown record label produced numerous legendary artists such as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes and Marvin Gaye.
Brook Benton – “Kiddio”
If you enjoy classic doo-wop and rhythm and blues music, chances are you have heard “Kiddio.” This upbeat track has an infectious beat and playful lyrics that will have you dancing within seconds – the ideal song for parties or road trips alike!
Brook Benton’s song is an impressive demonstration of how music can convey both power and emotion to its listeners. With its simple but catchy melody and soulful vocals, this timeless classic remains popular today and remains captivating audiences around the globe. This romantic tale tells a great tale.
“Save the Last Dance for Me” by The Drifters is another classic doo-wop song from 1960 r&b music: it features an emotive ballad about a man asking his lover to save one dance for him despite already dancing with someone else. Its slow tempo and exquisite harmony add depth of feeling to this nostalgic ballad.
Fats Domino’s “Be My Guest” is a lively and upbeat song that captures the energy and joy of early rock and roll and rhythm and blues music. With its infectious rhythm and boogie-woogie piano style, “Be My Guest” has long been beloved among fans of both blues and rock and roll music alike.
The 1960s was a decade of change and discovery, from sexual revolution to equal rights. This exploration could be found throughout popular music of this era: from Motown classics from The Supremes and Temptations to Philadelphia soul’s seductive sounds; its songs captured both its spirit and soul of an entire generation.
Dinah Washington – “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)”
Dinah Washington was one of the most beloved black female recording artists of the 1950s. While she primarily sang jazz, Washington experimented with various genres including R&B and pop. Washington’s rendition of “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)” became both an R&B hit and pop hit simultaneously; its success is an example of genre boundaries blurring in early rock era music.
R&B music, or rhythm and blues (R&B), is an amalgamation of gospel, jazz and blues influences which gives voice to African American life. Rhythm and blues is frequently associated with pain, loss and struggle as well as joy, success and aspirations; its popularity rose during turbulent events of the ’60s such as Civil Rights Movement protests and Vietnam War conflicts.
In the ’80s, R&B continued its transformation as musicians mixed disco, funk and pop music elements with R&B for an intriguing blend known as New Jack Swing. Artists such as Whitney Houston and Beyonce demonstrated how R&B can bridge classic and contemporary styles seamlessly.
Aretha Franklin was one of the most iconic and influential R&B artists of the 1980s. Her song, “Respect,” remains widely considered as the most influential song from this century and remains widely revered to this day as it calls for social and political change through an expression of equality, seeking respect from everyone regardless of race, sexism and other forms of discrimination. Today it remains iconic and influential R&B music.
The Supremes – “Sweet Thing”
Released in 1967, this legendary song would go on to become an R&B and Pop top 10 hit, soaring up both charts simultaneously. With its sublime harmonies and yearning emotion-laden lyrics, few songs compare. Many Atlanta brides and grooms request it be played during their receptions.
Motown decided that, while The Supremes had enjoyed success with hits such as “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love,” their appeal needed to be broadened further and they decided to team them with another Motown act, The Four Tops. Unfortunately neither “River Deep, Mountain High” or “Send Me No Flowers” managed to put them back on top of the charts.
Though they attempted to diversify, their appeal with mainstream music buyers began to decline. Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson met while living together in Detroit’s Brewster Douglass housing project; as teenagers they formed The Primettes with Betty McGlown before signing to Motown Records the following year as The Supremes.
“Sweet Thing” marked an important turning point in The Supremes and music of its time. It marked an end to an R&B era rooted in country and gospel music that had begun shifting toward deeper soul-driven sounds pioneered by artists like Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin; today this sound is known as soul music – which continues its development into socially conscious songs by artists like Marvin Gaye in the ’70s.
The Temptations – “It’s My Party”
The Temptations were one of the most beloved R&B bands of the 1960s and 1970s, signed to Motown in 1961 by Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. Their early recordings featured an amalgam of black rhythm & blues mixed with elements of white pop music that came to be known as the Motown Sound.
“Respect” by The Temptations has long been recognized as one of the greatest R&B songs ever written and serves as an powerful call to equal rights. Not only was this an enormous musical success, but it also contributed greatly to civil rights campaigns in America as it revolutionized politics at large.
Once David Ruffin decided to pursue a solo career in late 1964, producers Norman Whitfield decided to restructure their style. Instead of continuing with recordings such as “My Girl”, they began recording more socially-conscious material and upbeat funk songs – this new sound made its debut with Top 10 hit “Cloud Nine” in 1968 and became known as psychedelic soul.
In the 1970s, The Temptations continued to develop their musical styles and explore different moods. While experimenting with disco and funk sounds, they never abandoned their traditional sound. Their albums such as 1972’s iconic “For Lovers Only” showcased this ability and demonstrated how well the band could perform at multiple levels while remaining true to itself.
After their initial rise to fame, The Temptations continued performing and touring for decades afterward, with various members coming in and out of their lineup. Following Melvin Franklin’s death in 1995, four remaining members released the album “Reunion.” Additionally, in 1998 they appeared in a miniseries based on Otis Williams’ autobiography.
Sam Cooke – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Cooke’s silky voice and striking good looks made him an instantaneous hit in gospel and black music, but his decision to branch out into pop and rhythm & blues proved risky for gospel producers who advised against it. Cooke was motivated in part by expanding his audience base beyond black music fans while opening doors for black performers that were previously closed off to him.
He first ventured into popular music in 1956 with a session produced by Bumps Blackwell that produced “Loveable,” which was loosely inspired by their group’s hit, “Wonderful.” Although this effort did not do much for him, it did result in his being released from Soul Stirrers and freeing him up to record under his own name; beginning with 1957’s top 10 hit “You Send Me”, which became one of his signature recordings and launched his career into mainstream music industry and solidified him as one of its recording stars.
By 1964, Cooke had become one of the greatest figures in R&B and popular music, selling over two million albums and recording numerous hit singles that were loved by both black and white audiences alike. Additionally, he ran his own record label called KAGS Music successfully while becoming the first African-American to successfully fight for and retain his publishing rights.
Cooke’s musical legacy remains strong even decades after his death at just 33. His songs can still be heard on movies, radio and baby boomer homes today; Scottish twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid revived some of Cooke’s biggest hits when they formed The Proclaimers band in 1983. These included “Having a Party” as well as his civil rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come”.