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THIS DAY IN SOUL MUSIC HISTORY
MARCH 3
1931
Cab Calloway records “Minnie The Moocher” on the Brunswick label in New York City. With its infectious call-and-response “hi-de-ho” chant, the song becomes the first jazz recording to sell a million copies. Calloway’s swagger and showmanship help shape the swing era and make him one of the most iconic bandleaders in jazz history.
1966
Rapper Tone-Loc (Anthony Terrell Smith) is born in Los Angeles, California. Decades later, his deep, raspy voice and funky beats on “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina” would cement him as one of hip-hop’s most recognizable voices.
1973
The 15th Annual Grammy Awards take place at the Tennessee Theatre in Nashville, celebrating some of the greatest names in soul, R&B, and jazz.
Roberta Flack sweeps the night, winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”
Other big winners include:
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• Aretha Franklin – Best Soul Gospel Performance for Amazing Grace.
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• The Temptations – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group for Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.
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• Billy Paul – Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for Me and Mrs. Jones.
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• Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack – Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo for Where Is the Love.
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• Billy Preston – Best Pop Instrumental for Outa-Space.
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• Isaac Hayes – Best Pop Instrumental with Vocal Coloring for Black Moses.
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• Freddie Hubbard – Best Jazz Performance by a Group for First Light.
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• Duke Ellington – Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band for Togo Brava Suite.
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On stage, Curtis Mayfield delivers a powerful performance of Freddie’s Dead, while The Staple Singers uplift the crowd with I’ll Take You There.
1979
Earth, Wind & Fire release their sixth studio album, That’s the Way of the World. The album features “Shining Star”, a track that would become a cultural anthem and win a Grammy for Best R&B Performance.
1989- De La Soul releases their groundbreaking debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. A fusion of playful lyricism, jazz samples, and innovative production, the album helps usher in the era of alternative hip-hop and influences generations to come.
1995 – A stalker is arrested trying to break into Roberta Flack’s New York apartment, reminding the world of the dangers that often come with fame.
2007 – Robin Thicke dominates the Billboard charts, as his second album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, reaches #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. His hit single “Lost Without U” simultaneously tops the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Hot Adult R&B Airplay charts, solidifying his status as a modern-day soul crooner.
2013 – Bobby Rogers, longtime member of The Miracles, passes away at age 73 due to complications from diabetes. A key figure in Motown’s rise, Rogers co-wrote “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, which became The Temptations’ first hit. He also co-wrote “My Baby”, another Temptations classic, and contributed to The Miracles’ timeless “Tears of a Clown” with Smokey Robinson. His smooth tenor and songwriting left an indelible mark on soul music.
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