Donovan

Donovan (Donovan Philips Leitch, born May 10, 1946, in Maryhill, Glasgow) is a Scottish singe , songwriter, and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia and world music. He came to fame in the U K in early 1965 with a series of showcase live performances on the pop TV series Ready Steady Go! and his popularity soon spread to the USA and other countries. After signing with the British label Pye Records he began a long and successful collaboration with leading independent record producer Mickie Most, scoring a string of major hits in the UK, the USA and other countries, including several British and American Number 1 hits and million-selling records. He was one of the most popular British recording artists of his day, producing a series of hit albums and singles between 1965 and 1970. He became a close friend of many leading pop musicians including Joan Baez, Brian Jones, and The Beatles, and was one of the few artists to collaborate on songs with the Beatles. He influenced both John Lennon and George Harrison when he taught them his finger-picking guitar style in 1968. Donovan's commercial fortunes waned after he parted ways with Mickie Most in 1969, and he left the music scene for a time. He continued to perform and record sporadically in the 1970s and 1980s, but gradually fell from favour. His gentle musical style and hippie image was scorned by critics, especially after the advent of punk rock. Donovan withdrew from performing and recording several times during his long career, but he underwent a strong revival of interest in the 1990s with the emergence of the rave scene in Britain. Late in the decade he recorded a successful album with acclaimed producer and long time fan Rick Rubin and released a new album, Beat Cafe, in 2004.ctic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia and world music. My personal favorite will always be "Sunshine Superman" which was one of the first overtly psychedelic pop records. It was an innovative and eclectic blend of folk, rock, pop and jazz. The arrangement was augmented by prominent harpsichord, and set against a funky conga-driven backbeat. Talk about "melting-pot music"! Find out more about his life and his music at: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/donovancelticdreamweaver

Reserach info provided by: www.wikipedia.org

Visit my e-zine at: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
and personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspotcom/

The Sweet Inspirations

The Sweet Inspirations were founded by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, and sister of Lee Warrick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick). Emily and Lee were members of The Drinkard Singers, a family group that had the distinction of recording the first gospel album to appear on a major label: A live recording from The Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. The line-up included Judy Guions (who later became Judy Clay), Marie Epps, Larry Drinkard, Nicholas Drinkard, Ann Moss, Lee and Emily. The original backup group that was so in demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early ‘60’s included Doris Troy and the two Warwick sisters, with both Doris and Dionne enjoying solo careers with hits ("Just One Look" and "Don’t Make Me Over" respectively) in 1963. At that time, Sylvia Shemwell (sister of Judy Clay) replaced Doris; while Cissy Houston took over from Dionne, with Dee Dee Warwick as the group’s official leader. The group sang backup for many stars, including Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, Esther Phillips, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Presley. Dee Dee left in 1965, when her solo career began to take off. She was replaced by Myrna Smith. Estelle Brown joined the team soon after, and the line-up that was to become an Atlantic recording group was set. In April 1967 they made their first single without much chart success. An August session in Memphis yielded the bulk of songs used for the group’s self-titled debut album, released in the late fall of 1967. In 1968 they also began working with Elvis Presley as both background singers and his warm-up act, as well as doing occasional ‘live’ dates with Aretha Franklin. Their fourth album was recorded in February 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section. Cissy Houston would record one last session with the gorup in October 1969 before persuing a solo career. A final Atlantic session in June 1970 brought the group (now a trio with Estelle, Myrna, and Sylvia) its last two singles for the label. By 1979, Estelle had quit the group and was replaced by Gloria Brown, who toured with them but didn’t sing on The Sweet Inspirations’ last LP, Hot Butterfly, on RSO, with singer Pat Terry featured on the actual recording. The group broke up shortly thereafter. In 1978, they sang backing vocals on Frankie Valli's No.1 hit "Grease" from the film of the same name. They (Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia) got back together again in 1994, with new member Portia Griffin. They perform at Elvis Presley tribute shows. Sylvia suffered a stroke in 2001 that has kept her from performing with the group. Get your hands on the self-titled album and listen to the song called "Sweet Inspiration". Cissy's solo-part will give you goose bumps! Find out more about her at: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/cissy_houston

Research info provided by: www.wikipedia.org

Visit my e-zine at: www.concelebratory/blogspot.com
and personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/

The Young Rascals

The Rascals (previously The Young Rascals) were an American soul and rock group of the 1960s. They were the first all-white group signed to Atlantic Records and (along with The Righteous Brothers and The Box Tops) were practitioners of a genre of music coined 'blue-eyed soul'. Eddie Brigati (vocals), Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar) and Dino Danelli (drums) started the band in Brigati and Danelli's native state New Jersey. Their first public performance took place at the Choo Choo Club in Garfield on Saturday, February 27th, 1965. Three-quarters of the group - Brigati, Cavaliere and Cornish - had previously been members of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Eddie's brother, David Brigati, an original Starliter, helped arrange the vocal harmonies and sang backgrounds on many of the group's recordings (informally earning the designation as the Fifth Rascal). When Atlantic Records signed them, they discovered that another group (Borrah Minevitch's and Johnny Puleo's Harmonica Rascals) objected to the release of records under the name 'Rascals'. To avoid conflict, manager Sid Bernstein decided to rename the group the Young Rascals. In early 1968, the group dropped the "Young" from their name. Time Peace: The Rascals' Greatest Hits, released in mid-1968, became the group's best-selling album. Arguably, their best-remembered song was "People Got to Be Free" (1968), a passionate plea for racial tolerance and their third U.S. number one single. Unusual for their time, the Rascals refused to tour on segregated bills. After "People Got to Be Free", the Rascals never regained their former fame or had as large a hit. In 1970, Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 197170, Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 1971. Cavaliere released several solo albums throughout the 1970s. Brigati, with his brother David, released Lost in the Wilderness in 1976. The (Young) Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 6, 1997, and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005. I was a big fan. My two favorite songs were "Groovin'" (US #1 in '67) and "A Beautiful Morning" (US #3 in '68), both classics from the 60s. Find out more about the Rascals and Felix Cavaliere at: http://www.felixcavalieresrascals.com/

Research info provided by: www.wikipedia.org

Visit my e-zine: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
And personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogpsot.com/

B. B. King

Riley B. King, perhaps better known as B. B. King or "The King of Blues" (born September 16, 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi), is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, widely considered one of the best and most respected blues musicians of all time. One of his best known trademarks is "Lucille", the name he has given to his guitars since the 1950s after he escaped a fire at a juke joint he was playing in. The fire was started by two men who were fighting over a woman named "Lucille", knocked over the bucket of burning kerosene used for heat. When King realized he had left his guitar in the burning building, he ran back inside to get it, naming it "Lucille" to remind himself not to do it again. In 1947, B.B King began recording songs under contract with Los Angeles based RPM Records. Many of King's early recordings were produced by Sam Phillips, who later founded Sun Records. He was also a disc jockey in Memphis, where he gained the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy", later shortened to B.B. In the 1950s, he became one of the most important names in R&B music, collecting an impressive list of hits under his belt that included songs like "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," "Please Love Me," "When My Heart Beats like a Hammer," "Whole Lotta Love," "You Upset Me Baby," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Sneakin' Around,""Bad Luck,""Sweet Little Angel," "On My Word of Honor," and "Please Accept My Love". In 1962, he signed to ABC-Paramount Records. In November 1964, King recorded the legendary Live at the Regal album at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois, but would find success outside of the blues market with the 1969 remake of the Roy Hawkins tune, "The Thrill Is Gone", which became a hit on both pop and R&B charts, which was rare for an R&B artist. It also gained the number 193 spot in the Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs Of All Time. He gained further rock visibility as an opening act on The Rolling Stones much-ballyhooed 1969 American Tour. His mainstream success continued throughout the 1970s. From 1951 to 1985, he appeared on Billboard's R&B charts an amazing 74 times. On March 29 2006, at the age of 80, he began his farewell tour when he played at the Sheffield's Hallam Arena in the UK. B.B. King has been a licensed pilot, and is also a vegetarian, non-drinker and non-smoker. In 2002, he signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and free lessons to children in public schools throughout the US. He is an honorary member of the board of directors. Find out more at: http://www.bbking.com/

Research info provided by: http://www.wikipedia.org/

Visit my e-zine: http://www.concelelbratory.blogspot.com/
and personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/

The Band

The Band was a Canadian-American rock group, active from 1967 to 1976 and again from 1983 to 1999. The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963; they were also known as Levon and the Hawks. Afterwards, Bob Dylan recruited the group for his 1965–1966 world tour. They also joined him on the informal recordings that later became The Basement Tapes. Dubbed "The Band" by their record company (a name derived from how they were referred to during their tenure with Dylan), the group left Woodstock, New York to begin recording in their own material. They recorded two of the most acclaimed albums of the late 1960s; their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the single "The Weight") and 1969's The Band. They broke up in 1976, but reformed in 1983 without founding guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Robertson. Although The Band was always more popular with music journalists and fellow musicians than with the general public. They remain an admired and influential group. Their music fused many elements: primarily old country music and early rock and roll, though the rhythm section often was reminiscent of Stax or Motown, and Robertson cites Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers as major influences, resulting in a synthesis of many musical genres.The Band comprised Robbie Robertson (guitarist and song writer); Richard Manuel (piano, harmonica, drums, saxophone); Garth Hudson (organ, piano, clavinet, accordion, synthesizer, saxophone); Rick Danko (bass guitar, violin, trombone); and Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar). Their first album, Music from Big Pink (1968) was widely acclaimed. The album included three songs written or co-written by Dylan ("This Wheel's On Fire", "Tears Of Rage", and "I Shall Be Released") as well as Robertson's "The Weight", whose use in the film Easy Rider would make it probably their best known song. They have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked them #50 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. My personal favorite by The Band will always be "Up On CrippleCreek" penned by Robertson. Find out more at: http://theband.hiof.no/

Research info provided by: www.wikipedia.org

Visit my e-zine at: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
and personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/

Wilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B/Rock and Roll and soul singer. Known for his raw, raspy, passionate vocal delivery, he recorded some of the most incendiary soul music of the twentieth century. A major figure in the development of Southern soul music, his recordings between 1963 and 1973 left behind a legacy of some of the deepest, funkiest soul music ever to emerge from the South. The impact of his recordings also resulted in his 1991 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was born in Prattville, Alabama, and grew up singing in Baptist church choirs. He eventually left to live with his father in Detroit in 1955. That same year he became part of a gospel music group called the Violinaires. Four years later Pickett, lured by the success of other gospel singers of the day, including Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, for the more lucrative secular music market, joined the Falcons in 1959. His biggest success with The Falcons came in 1962, when "I Found a Love," (co-authored by Pickett and featuring his lead vocals), peaked at #6 on the R&B charts, and at #75 on the pop charts. His first big success as a solo artist came with "It's Too Late," an original composition. Entering the charts on July 27, 1963, it eventually peaked at #7 on the R&B charts, and its success convinced Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records to buy his contract from Double L Records in 1964, but his major breakthrough would come at Stax Records' recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where he recorded his third Atlantic single, "In the Midnight Hour" (1965), perhaps his best-remembered hit, peaking at #1 R&B, #21 pop {US}, and #12 hit {UK}. Other big hits from this period in his career included two other covers:"Mustang Sally," (#6 R&B, #23 pop), and "Funky Broadway," (another R&B #1 for Pickett, as well as a #8 pop hit.) He spent the twilight of his career playing dozens of concert dates a year until 2004, when he began suffering from health problems. While in the hospital, he told his sister that he wanted to record a gospel album when he recovered. But, sadly, he kept fading. He died of a heart attack January 19, 2006 in the hospital near his Ashburn, Virginia home and was buried next to his mother in Louisville, Kentucky, where he had spent many years after his mother moved there from Alabama. Pickett's long-time friend, Little Richard, gave the eulogy. His funeral procession was flanked by well wishers welcoming him home. Find more about his music and life at: www.alamhof.org/pickett.htm

Research info provided by: www.wikipedia.org

Visit my e-zine at: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
and personal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/