JANUARY 1
B I R T H D A Y S
• Milt “Bags” Jackson (1923) — blues-rooted vibraphonist and founding member of the Modern Jazz Quartet
• Arthur Prysock (1924) — velvet-voiced baritone whose career stretched from big-band jazz to romantic soul
• Grandmaster Flash (1958) — pioneering DJ whose cutting and backspinning techniques helped build hip-hop
2023 – Aretha Franklin Is Named the Greatest Singer of All Time
Rolling Stone places Aretha Franklin at No. 1 on its list of the 200 greatest singers. The Queen of Soul tops a
lineup that includes Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday.
2023 – Fred White of Earth, Wind & Fire Dies at 67
Fred White, the drummer whose powerful groove helped shape Earth, Wind & Fire’s classic sound, dies at 67. A
cause of death was not publicly disclosed. White joined his brothers Maurice and Verdine in the group and played
on classics including “September,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove.”
JANUARY 2
B I R T H D A Y S
• Glenn Goins (1954) — gospel-powered singer and guitarist of Parliament-Funkadelic
• Dawn Silva (1954) — vocalist with Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Brides of
Funkenstein
JANUARY 3
B I R T H D A Y S
• James Mtume (1946) — Miles Davis percussionist, producer and creator of “Juicy Fruit,” later sampled for The
Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy”
1980 – Amos Milburn Dies at 52
Singer and pianist Amos Milburn dies following years of poor health after suffering several strokes. His recordings,
including “One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer,” blended boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues years before rock
and roll became a recognized genre.
1990 – Tender Lover Holds No. 1 on the R&B Albums Chart
Babyface’s second solo album remains at the top of the R&B albums chart. Featuring “It’s No Crime,” “Tender
Lover” and “Whip Appeal,” the album helped establish him as one of R&B’s leading singers, songwriters and
producers.
2025 – Brenton Wood Dies at 83
West Coast soul singer Brenton Wood dies at 83. Best known for “Gimme Little Sign” and “The Oogum Boogum
Song,” his playful vocal style made him an enduring favorite in California soul and lowrider music culture.
JANUARY 4
B I R T H D A Y S
• Arthur Conley (1946) — Otis Redding’s protégé and singer of the 1967 anthem “Sweet Soul Music”
• Coco Jones (1998) — Grammy-winning contemporary R&B singer known for “ICU”
JANUARY 5
B I R T H D A Y S
• Wilbert Harrison (1929) — singer whose “Kansas City” topped both the pop and R&B charts
• Johnny Adams (1932) — New Orleans vocalist known as the Tan Canary and singer of “Reconsider Me”
• Grady Thomas (1941) — founding member of The Parliaments
• Vincent Calloway (1957) — Midnight Star trumpeter who later formed the duo Calloway
1975 – The Wiz Opens on Broadway
The Wiz, a Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz, opens on Broadway with Stephanie Mills starring as Dorothy. Its
blend of soul, gospel, funk and R&B later inspires the 1978 film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
1980 – “Please Don’t Go” Becomes the First No. 1 of the 1980s
KC and the Sunshine Band’s ballad reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It becomes the Miami group’s fifth
chart-topper and the first No. 1 song of the new decade.
2016 – Nicholas Caldwell of The Whispers Dies at 71
Nicholas Caldwell, a founding member of The Whispers, dies from congestive heart failure at his California home.
In addition to singing, Caldwell helped shape the group’s smooth choreography and stage presence on classics
including “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady.”
JANUARY 6
B I R T H D A Y S
• Doris Troy (1937) — singer and songwriter behind the Top 10 soul hit “Just One Look”
• Van McCoy (1940) — songwriter and producer who later scored his own No. 1 with “The Hustle”
• Kathy Sledge (1959) — youngest member and frequent lead singer of Sister Sledge
2006 – Lou Rawls Dies at 72
Lou Rawls dies in Los Angeles from lung and brain cancer. Known for his rich baritone and songs including “You’ll
Never Find Another Love Like Mine,” Rawls also hosted the Parade of Stars telethon, which raised millions for the
United Negro College Fund.
JANUARY 7
B I R T H D A Y S
• Eldee Young (1936) — Ramsey Lewis Trio bassist and member of Young-Holt Unlimited
• Taja Sevelle (1962) — Paisley Park recording artist known for “Love Is Contagious”
1955 – Marian Anderson Breaks the Metropolitan Opera’s Color Barrier
Marian Anderson becomes the first Black singer to perform a principal role at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. She
appears as Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera, opening doors for generations of Black classical singers.
2001 – James Carr Dies at 58
Deep soul singer James Carr dies from lung cancer. The Goldwax Records vocalist is best remembered for “The
Dark End of the Street” and “You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up,” two classics of Southern soul.
JANUARY 8
B I R T H D A Y S
• Little Anthony Gourdine (1941) — lead singer of Little Anthony and the Imperials
• Jon Lucien (1942) — Caribbean-born jazz-soul baritone
• Marcus Hutson (1943) — longtime member of The Whispers
2014 – Reather Dixon of The Bobbettes Dies at 69
Reather Dixon, a founding member of The Bobbettes, dies at 69. The group made history with “Mr. Lee,” one of
the earliest major R&B hits recorded by a teenage girl group.
2015 – Andraé Crouch Dies at 72
Gospel singer, songwriter and arranger Andraé Crouch dies following a heart attack. Known as a father of modern
gospel, his influence reached popular music through work connected to Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and
Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”
2016 – Otis Clay Dies at 73
Deep soul singer Otis Clay dies from a heart attack in Chicago. His gospel-rooted delivery powered recordings
including “Trying to Live My Life Without You” and made him a leading voice of Chicago and Memphis soul.
2018 – Denise LaSalle Dies at 83
Singer and songwriter Denise LaSalle dies after years of declining health that included congestive heart failure
and a leg amputation months earlier; her family did not announce a cause of death. Known for “Trapped by a
Thing Called Love,” she became one of Southern soul and blues music’s most successful female artists.
JANUARY 9
B I R T H D A Y S
• Kenny “Wally” Kelley — founding member of The Manhattans
• Preston Glass (1960) — songwriter and producer for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole and
Earth, Wind & Fire
1988 – “So Emotional” Gives Whitney Houston Her Sixth Consecutive No. 1
Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It becomes her sixth consecutive
chart-topper, tying the record then shared by The Beatles and the Bee Gees. She breaks the record with her next
single.
2020 – 5th Ward Weebie Dies at 42
New Orleans bounce pioneer 5th Ward Weebie dies from complications following a heart attack. Born Jerome
Cosey, his music helped shape the city’s bounce sound, and his voice reached a global audience on Drake’s “In
My Feelings.”
2022 – James Mtume Dies at 76
James Mtume dies six days after his birthday. His career stretched from Miles Davis’s experimental jazz
recordings to R&B hits including Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit” and Stephanie Mills’s Grammy-winning “Never Knew Love
Like This Before.”
JANUARY 10
B I R T H D A Y S
• Jerry Wexler (1917) — Atlantic Records producer who helped introduce the term “rhythm and blues”
• Max Roach (1924) — revolutionary drummer and composer of We Insist! Freedom Now Suite
• Fayette Pinkney (1948) — founding member of The Three Degrees
• Luci Martin (1955) — principal vocalist during Chic’s classic era
1997 – James Brown Receives a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
James Brown is honored with a star at 1501 Vine Street in Hollywood. The recognition arrives more than 40 years
after “Please, Please, Please” launched the career of the Godfather of Soul.
2019 – Larry Cunningham of The Floaters Dies at 67
Larry Cunningham dies after a long illness. As a lead vocalist of The Floaters, his spoken and sung introduction
became one of the most recognizable parts of the group’s 1977 hit “Float On.”
2025 – Sam Moore of Sam & Dave Dies at 89
Sam Moore dies following complications from surgery. His urgent, gospel-rooted voice powered Sam & Dave
classics including “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’” and “I Thank You.”
JANUARY 11
B I R T H D A Y S
• Chuck Barksdale (1935) — bass singer of The Dells for more than five decades
• Big Bank Hank (1956) — member of The Sugarhill Gang on “Rapper’s Delight”
• Mary J. Blige (1971) — the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul
1992 – Three Generations Win NAACP Image Awards
Boyz II Men win Outstanding New Artist, Patti LaBelle is named Entertainer of the Year and The O’Jays receive
Outstanding Vocal Group. The winners represent three generations of Black vocal music in one ceremony.
JANUARY 12
B I R T H D A Y S
• Ruth Brown (1928) — Miss Rhythm, whose hit streak helped build Atlantic Records
• Cynthia Robinson (1944) — trumpeter and vocalist of Sly and the Family Stone
• George Duke (1946) — keyboardist and producer across jazz fusion, funk and R&B
1959 – Berry Gordy Establishes Tamla Records
Using an $800 family loan, Berry Gordy launches Tamla Records in Detroit. The label becomes the foundation of
Motown, which develops into one of the most successful Black-owned music companies in history.
1963 – Sam Cooke Records Live at the Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke performs a raw, gospel-charged set at Miami’s Harlem Square Club. RCA considers the recording too
different from his polished pop image and keeps it unreleased until 1985, when it becomes recognized as one of
soul music’s greatest live albums.
1995 – Al Green and Martha and the Vandellas Enter the Rock Hall
Al Green and Martha and the Vandellas are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony honors
both the Memphis soul of Green and the Motown sound of “Dancing in the Street.”
JANUARY 13
B I R T H D A Y S
• C.P. Spencer (1938) — early member of The Spinners and founding member of The Originals
• Fred White (1955) — drummer with Earth, Wind & Fire.
1972 – Aretha Franklin Begins Recording Amazing Grace
Aretha Franklin begins two nights of live recording at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
Joined by Reverend James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir, the performances become
Amazing Grace, the best-selling gospel album of all time.
1979 – Donny Hathaway Dies at 33
Donny Hathaway dies after falling from a 15th-floor window at New York’s Essex House hotel. The singer, pianist
and arranger left behind a deeply influential catalog that includes “A Song for You,” “Someday We’ll All Be Free”
and his celebrated duets with Roberta Flack.
2010 – Teddy Pendergrass Dies at 59
Teddy Pendergrass dies from complications of colon cancer. After rising to fame as the commanding lead voice of
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, he became one of soul music’s most successful solo performers.
JANUARY 14
B I R T H D A Y S
• Clarence Carter (1936) — Muscle Shoals soul singer and guitarist behind “Slip Away” and “Patches”
• Allen Toussaint (1938) — New Orleans songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer
• LL Cool J (1968) — Def Jam pioneer whose “I Need Love” helped establish the rap ballad
1970 – Diana Ross Performs Her Final Show with The Supremes
Diana Ross performs her final concert with The Supremes at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. Jean Terrell is
introduced as the group’s new lead singer, closing Ross’s historic run after 12 No. 1 pop hits.
JANUARY 15
B I R T H D A Y S
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929) — civil rights leader whose life inspired generations of soul and gospel music
• Sonny Bivins (1936) — founding member of The Manhattans
• George “Funky” Brown (1949) — drummer and co-founder of Kool & the Gang
• Lisa Lisa (1967) — lead singer of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
1961 – The Primettes Sign with Motown and Become The Supremes
Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Barbara Martin sign with Motown. Berry Gordy renames the group
The Supremes, beginning the journey that produces 12 No. 1 singles and transforms the modern girl group.
1981 – Stevie Wonder Leads a Rally for the King Holiday
Stevie Wonder joins tens of thousands of people in Washington, D.C., to demand a federal holiday honoring Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. His song “Happy Birthday” becomes the movement’s anthem, and the holiday is signed into
law in 1983.
JANUARY 16
B I R T H D A Y S
• Barbara Lynn (1942) — left-handed guitarist, singer and writer of “You’ll Lose a Good Thing”
• Katherine Anderson (1944) — founding member of The Marvelettes
• Sade Adu (1959) — Nigerian-British singer behind “Smooth Operator” and “No Ordinary Love”
• Maxine Jones (1962) — founding member of En Vogue
• Aaliyah (1979) — influential R&B singer
1991 – LaVern Baker Enters the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
LaVern Baker is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Atlantic Records star was known for
“Tweedlee Dee,” “Jim Dandy” and “I Cried a Tear,” and had also challenged the music industry’s practice of
copying Black artists’ recordings.
JANUARY 17
B I R T H D A Y S
• Eartha Kitt (1927) — singer, actress and activist known for “Santa Baby”
• William “Poogie” Hart (1945) — falsetto lead singer and songwriter of The Delfonics
• Sheila Hutchinson (1953) — member of The Emotions
2012 – Johnny Otis Dies at 90
Musician, bandleader, producer and broadcaster Johnny Otis dies from natural causes. Often called the
Godfather of Rhythm and Blues, he helped discover or develop artists including Etta James, Big Mama Thornton
and Esther Phillips.
JANUARY 18
B I R T H D A Y S
• David Ruffin (1941) — lead singer on Temptations classics including “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
• Frankie Knuckles (1955) — the Godfather of House
• Angela Winbush (1955) — singer, songwriter, musician and producer known for “Angel”
JANUARY 19
2006 – Wilson Pickett Dies at 64
Wilson Pickett dies from a heart attack in Reston, Virginia. One of Southern soul’s most commanding voices, he
recorded classics including “In the Midnight Hour,” “Mustang Sally,” “Land of 1000 Dances” and “Funky
Broadway.”
JANUARY 20
B I R T H D A Y S
• Caron Wheeler (1963) — lead vocalist on Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life”
• Questlove (1971) — drummer, producer, historian and director of Summer of Soul
2009 – Beyoncé Sings “At Last” at the Inaugural Ball
Beyoncé performs Etta James’s “At Last” as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama share a
dance at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The performance connects a classic soul recording to the inauguration
of the nation’s first Black president.
2012 – Etta James Dies at 73
Etta James dies from complications of leukemia in Riverside, California. Her powerful voice moved easily through
blues, gospel, rock and soul on classics including “At Last,” “Tell Mama” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
JANUARY 21
B I R T H D A Y S
• Richie Havens (1941) — singer and guitarist whose improvised “Freedom” opened Woodstock
1984 – Jackie Wilson Dies at 49
Jackie Wilson dies after spending more than eight years in medical care following his 1975 onstage collapse.
Known as Mr. Excitement, his athletic performances and soaring voice influenced generations of soul singers.
1987 – Aretha Franklin Becomes the First Woman Inducted into the Rock Hall
Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes a
career that transformed gospel feeling into the foundation of modern soul singing.
JANUARY 22
B I R T H D A Y S
• Sam Cooke (1931) — gospel star who became one of soul music’s foundational singers, songwriters and
businessmen
JANUARY 23
B I R T H D A Y S
• Anita Pointer (1948) — founding member of The Pointer Sisters and lead voice on “Fire” and “Slow Hand”
2018 – Hugh Masekela Dies at 78
South African trumpeter, composer and anti-apartheid activist Hugh Masekela dies from prostate cancer in
Johannesburg. His instrumental “Grazing in the Grass” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968, while his music
remained closely connected to the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
JANUARY 24
B I R T H D A Y S
• Zeke Carey (1933) — member of The Flamingos, known for “I Only Have Eyes for You”
• Aaron Neville (1941) — New Orleans singer known for “Tell It Like It Is”
JANUARY 25
B I R T H D A Y S
• Etta James (1938) — powerhouse blues and soul vocalist behind “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind”
• Alicia Keys (1981) — pianist, singer and songwriter whose debut album introduced “Fallin’”
JANUARY 26
B I R T H D A Y S
• Huey “Piano” Smith (1934) — New Orleans pianist behind “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu”
• Thom Bell (1943) — arranger, songwriter and producer who helped define Philadelphia soul
• Anita Baker (1958) — Grammy-winning contralto whose Rapture became a quiet-storm landmark
JANUARY 27
B I R T H D A Y S
• Bobby “Blue” Bland (1930) — soul-blues vocalist behind “I Pity the Fool” and “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the
City”
1972 – Mahalia Jackson Dies at 60
Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson dies from heart failure in Chicago. Thousands gather to honor the singer whose
powerful voice brought gospel music to audiences around the world. Aretha Franklin performs “Precious Lord,
Take My Hand” at her funeral.
1973 – “Superstition” Reaches No. 1
Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Built around its unmistakable clavinet riff,
the song becomes his first pop chart-topper since 1963 and begins the most celebrated creative period of his
career.
2006 – Gene McFadden Dies at 56
Gene McFadden dies from liver and lung cancer one day before his 57th birthday. As one half of McFadden &
Whitehead, he co-wrote Philadelphia soul classics including “Back Stabbers” and “Wake Up Everybody” before
recording “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.”
JANUARY 28
B I R T H D A Y S
• Gene McFadden (1949) — singer and songwriter, one half of McFadden & Whitehead
1985 – “We Are the World” Is Recorded
After the American Music Awards, 45 artists gather at A&M Studios in Los Angeles to record “We Are the World.”
Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones, the song raises money for African
famine relief and becomes one of the best-selling singles in history.
JANUARY 29
JANUARY 30
1961 – The Shirelles Make Girl-Group History
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Shirelles become the first Black
all-female group to top the chart, opening the door for the wave of girl groups that follows during the 1960s.
JANUARY 31
B I R T H D A Y S
• Chuck Willis (1926) — Atlanta rhythm-and-blues singer known as the King of the Stroll
• Marvin Junior (1936) — powerful baritone lead singer of The Dells
1970 – “I Want You Back” Reaches No. 1
The Jackson 5’s debut Motown single reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It begins a run of four consecutive
chart-toppers for the group, followed by “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”