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Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin's Genre:

Soul, R&B, Southern Soul, Quiet Storm, Urban, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Black Gospel, Gospel, Religious

Biography

Aretha Franklin is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged. Her astonishing run of late-'60s hits with Atlantic Records -- "Respect," "I Never Loved a Man," "Chain of Fools," "Baby I Love You," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "The House That Jack Built," and several others -- earned her the title "Lady Soul," which she has worn uncontested ever since. Yet as much of an international institution as she's become, much of her work -- outside of her recordings for Atlantic in the late '60s and early '70s -- is erratic and only fitfully inspired, making discretion a necessity when collecting her records.

Franklin's roots in gospel ran extremely deep. With her sisters Carolyn and Erma (both of whom would also have recording careers), she sang at the Detroit church of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, while growing up in the 1950s. In fact, she made her first recordings as a gospel artist at the age of 14. It has also been reported that Motown was interested in signing Aretha back in the days when it was a tiny start-up. Ultimately, however, Franklin ended up with Columbia, to which she was signed by the renowned talent scout John Hammond.

Franklin would record for Columbia constantly throughout the first half of the '60s, notching occasional R&B hits (and one Top 40 single, "Rock-a-bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody") but never truly breaking out as a star. The Columbia period continues to generate considerable controversy among critics, many of whom feel that Aretha's true aspirations were being blunted by pop-oriented material and production. In fact, there's a reasonable amount of fine items to be found on the Columbia sides, including the occasional song ("Lee Cross," "Soulville") where she belts out soul with real gusto. It's undeniably true, though, that her work at Columbia was considerably tamer than what was to follow, and suffered in general from a lack of direction and an apparent emphasis on trying to develop her as an all-around entertainer, rather than as an R&B/soul singer.

When Franklin left Columbia for Atlantic, producer Jerry Wexler was determined to bring out her most soulful, fiery traits. As part of that plan, he had her record her first single, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," at Muscle Shoals in Alabama with esteemed Southern R&B musicians. In fact, that was to be her only session actually at Muscle Shoals, but much of the remainder of her '60s work would be recorded with the Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, although the sessions would actually take place in New York City. The combination was one of those magic instances of musical alchemy in pop: the backup musicians provided a much grittier, soulful, and R&B-based accompaniment for Aretha's voice, which soared with a passion and intensity suggesting a spirit that had been allowed to fly loose for the first time.

In the late '60s, Franklin became one of the biggest international recording stars in all of pop. Many also saw Franklin as a symbol of black America itself, reflecting the increased confidence and pride of African-Americans in the decade of the civil rights movement and other triumphs for the black community. The chart statistics are impressive in and of themselves: ten Top Ten hits in a roughly 18-month span between early 1967 and late 1968, for instance, and a steady stream of solid mid- to large-size hits for the next five years after that. Her Atlantic albums were also huge sellers, and far more consistent artistically than those of most soul stars of the era. Franklin was able to maintain creative momentum, in part, because of her eclectic choice of material, which encompassed first-class originals and gospel, blues, pop, and rock covers, from the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to Sam Cooke and the Drifters. She was also a fine, forceful, and somewhat underrated keyboardist.

Franklin's commercial and artistic success was unabated in the early '70s, during which she landed more huge hits with "Spanish Harlem," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "Day Dreaming." She also produced two of her most respected, and earthiest, album releases with Live at Fillmore West and Amazing Grace. The latter, a 1972 double LP, was a reinvestigation of her gospel roots, recorded with James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. Remarkably, it made the Top Ten, counting as one of the greatest gospel-pop crossover smashes of all time.

Franklin had a few more hits over the next few years -- "Angel" and the Stevie Wonder cover "Until You Come Back to Me" being the most notable. Her Atlantic contract ended at the end of the 1970s, and since then she's managed to get intermittent hits -- "Who's Zooming Who" and "Jump to It" are among the most famous. Many of her successes were duets, or crafted with the assistance of contemporaries such as Luther Vandross. In 1986 Franklin released her follow-up to Who’s Zoomin’ Who?, the self-titled Aretha, which saw the single “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” a duet with George Michael, hit the top of the charts. There was also another return to gospel in 1987 with One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. Franklin shifted back to pop with 1989’s Through the Storm, but it wasn’t a commercial success, and neither was 1991’s new jack swing-styled What You See Is What You Sweat.

Now solidly an iconic figure and acknowledged as one of the best singers of her generation no matter what her record sales were, Franklin contributed songs to several movie soundtracks in the next few years before releasing the R&B-based A Rose Is Still a Rose in 1998. So Damn Happy followed five years later in 2003 and again saw disappointing sales, but it did generate the Grammy-winning song “Wonderful.” Franklin left Arista Records that same year after 23 years and started her own label, Aretha’s Records, two years later in 2005. A duets compilation, Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen, was issued in 2007, followed by her first holiday album, 2008’s This Christmas Aretha, originally as a Borders exclusive and then distributed by DMI. The first release on her own label, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love, appeared in the spring of 2011. Despite sometimes poor health, she continued to select new projects to work on, ever the institution, her reputation secure as one of the best singers of the modern era. ~ Richie Unterberger & Steve Leggett

AOL Radio Stations Aretha Franklin is Featured on (32)

Whitney Houston Tribute

This station is the musical story of Whitney Houston. You'll hear the artists that influenced her, like her cousin Dionne Warwick, her Godmother Aretha Franklin, and her mother Cissy Houston. You'll also hear the artists that she had a profound impact on including singers like her friend Mariah Carey, aspiring divas like Christina Aguilera, and the next generation of great voices like Beyonce and Rihanna. Join Slacker Radio as we pay tribute to one of the greatest and most inspirational voices of all time.

Donna Summer Tribute

Donna Summer passed away on May 17, 2012 after a private battle with lung cancer. She was only 63. On this station, you will hear Donna Summer's greatest hits, deeper tracks from her vast body of work, collaborations that she was featured on, artists that influenced her, and the generations of musicians that she directly inspired. Join Slacker Radio in this look at the legacy of one of the greatest female vocalists and pop musicians of all time- here on the Donna Summer Tribute station.

Classic Soul

Classic Soul on Slacker Radio celebrates some of the greatest music ever made, spanning almost 40 years of smooth, soulful tunes that'll make you feel the true power and passion of music.

Highway Hits Mix

Highway Hits Mix on Slacker was designed for family vacations and road trips. That means great travelling music that the whole family can agree on. You’ll hear hits from all eras that share one common theme: these are songs about life’s journey that will have everyone singing in the car. Brought to you by Motel 6—with over 1,100 locations across North America and the lowest price of any national chain, they’ll leave the light on for you at the end of a long day on the road.

Sweating to the Oldies

A day at the gym doesn’t have to be all pounding bass and overly aggressive lyrics. Some of the most motivational, high energy music comes from Motown and Classic Rock- and that’s what you’ll hear on this station. Get your heart rate up with Wilson Pickett’s “Land of 1000 Dances”, and power through your reps with Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”. Sweating to the Oldies on Slacker Radio is classic hits for the fitness-minded.

Post-Breakup

The majority of breakups turn out to be a very positive catalyst for personal growth and ultimately finding greater happiness with a more deserving partner. If you’ve moved past the mourning phase of a bad breakup, and you’re ready for the soundtrack to empowerment- this is your station. Featuring songs handpicked by expert curators that know a thing or two about bouncing back from nasty breakups. As Kelly Clarkson famously sang- “What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger”! You’ll hear that song, and empowering tracks from Adele, Beyonce, P!nk, and more.

A Very Soulful Christmas

Hear the soulful side of the holiday season with classic soul legends, R&B favorites and a little Gospel for good measure. Get your holiday grooving with Ray Charles, James Brown, The Supremes, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige and many more.

Old School R&B

Old School R&B on Slacker Radio is the station that will put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip! You'll hear all the classics from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Motown, to Earth, Wind and Fire, The Gap Band and Kool and the Gang, to Michael Jackson, Prince and Rick James, to Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Boyz II Men. Old School R&B on Slacker Radio will not only keep you singing along with a smile on your face but will make you get up and shake it.

Oldies

Oldies on Slacker Radio plays the best songs from the '60s and '70s and the '50s too!

Ladies That Rock

This is Slacker's tribute to women that rock- literally and figuratively. From hard rockers like Joan Jett to adventurous artists like Bjork, this is the place to celebrate these women and their work. You'll hear big stars like Adele and Bonnie Raitt alongside emerging artists like Audra Mae and ZZ Ward. This is Slacker's Ladies That Rock.

'60s Hits

It was the decade that defined a generation. The Gulf of Tonkin, Neil Armstrong, Spiderman, Little Deuce Coupe, Mustang Sally, Get Smart, Twiggy, and We Shall Overcome. Yeah, yeah, yeah...it was fab, gear, groovy and boss. Turn on, tune in, and drop out with '60s Hits on Slacker Radio.

Graffiti6 Showcase

This is the Graffiti6 Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by the members of Graffiti6 including music hand-picked by Jamie and TommyD as well as commentary by each about the songs that influenced their music and their lives.

One-Night Standards

This station features the smooth sounds of charismatic crooners- from Sinatra to Buble, and all eras in-between. If your seduction style is more “Mad Men” than “Mad About You”, then this is your station. Pour a tall glass of scotch, throw another log on the fire, and flick the switch that automatically dims the lights- this is One Night Standards on Slacker Radio.

Broken Heart

Broken Heart on Slacker Radio is a melancholy mix of lost love and yearning with a touch of soulful redemption. These songs of heartbreak and hope will show you that sadness can be beautiful and love is fleeting but always on the horizon.

RJD2 Showcase

This is the RJD2 Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune-in to hear music hand-picked by RJD2 as well as commentary about the songs that influenced his music and his life.

Vocal Standards

For decades, the world of popular music belonged to the singers and songwriters. From romantic ballads to swinging standards, Vocal Standards on Slacker Radio shines the spotlight on the best classic and modern crooners, singers, and swingers ever heard.

Funk

The Aqua Boogie can give you More Bounce to the Ounce with the Magic Voice Box and make you Weak at The Knees! Slacker’s Funk Radio delivers top funk artists Like Parliament, Zapp and Roger, The Bar-Kays and more. Get ready for the Return of the Muthaship baby bubba!

Classic Hits

Classic Hits on Slacker plays the greatest pop and rock hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

Holiday Party

Holiday Party on Slacker Radio is the perfect way to celebrate the Holiday Season. Enjoy your festivities with upbeat holiday songs from classic crooners and soul legends to jazzy jingles, rock tunes and contemporary favorites. Get the holiday fun started with the festive sounds of Andy Williams, Dean Martin, Ella Fitgerald, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, U2 and many more.

Top Christmas Hits

Top Christmas Hits on Slacker Radio is the perfect soundtrack for your holiday festivities. Enjoy classic songs from Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Johnny Mathis as well as contemporary artists like Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and the cast of Glee.

Big Band/Swing

Slacker’s Big Band/Swing showcases the bands and singers that changed the face of American music and have kept the style and tradition alive ever since. From the “sweet” music of the mid 1920’s, all the way to the resurgence of swing in the 1990’s, you’ll hear all your favorites.

'70s Hits

The Seventies was both the first and last time 3 Dog Night, Marvin Gaye, KISS and John Denver could all co-exist on one radio station. '70s Hits on Slacker Radio makes every day a nice day with enough music to put guys in platform heels again and women in hot pants with Farrah hair.

Love Songs

Love Songs on Slacker Radio has just the right blend of sentimental favorites. Set the mood with artists like Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Elton John, Mariah Carey, The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder plus classic romantic favorites. Listen and fall in love with Slacker Love Songs.

'80s Hits

80's Hits takes the biggest hits from the decade of big hair and music videos and puts it together on one station. From the new wave of Duran Duran, to the arena rock of Def Leppard, from the end of disco to the beginning of hip hop (remember Tone Loc?), it's all on 80's Hits.

Disco

Wildly popular in clubs and on radio from the early '70s through the early '80s, Disco on Slacker Radio revisits the divas, supergroups, one-hit wonders, producers and DJ's that made you want to dance.

Acid Jazz

Just what is Acid Jazz? It’s soulful jazz with a funky beat and much more! Acid Jazz on Slacker Radio reflects a mix of pioneering soul/jazz artists from the 60’s and 70’s cross pollinated with reggae and electronica. To top it off, we threw in some R&B classics from the 60’s and 70’s.

Blues

You may not have the right to sing the blues, but you certainly have the right to listen to them! Steeped in heritage, and delivering more heartache, pain, and suffering than most can handle, Blues packs a knockout one two punch to the audio midsection. All the King's are here; B.B, Freddie, and Albert bending notes far beyond those of mortal men. If you don't have the blues now, just listen for awhile...Blues on Slacker will have you shoutin' and hollerin' for more.

Easy Listening

If you can remember back to when stores were closed on Sundays, life was "slow, and oh so mellow" and lazy Sunday afternoons were spent listening to the soft sounds from the radio...then Easy Listening on Slacker Radio will bring you back. Many classic artists that you don't hear on terrestial radio anymore like Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand and John Denver are all here mixed with some beautiful instrumentals and Yacht Rock favourites....sit back, enjoy the sweet sounds and the memories!

R&B

Slacker R&B is built upon a vast library of sexy music for sexy people, centering on the past 15 years of hits. You'll hear the biggest songs of today, as well as the tunes you've been grooving to since the mid-nineties--with a bit of old school flavor and a lot of surprises.

The Current

The Current brings you the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from unique to universal, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. Broadcasting from the musical hotbed that is Minnesota, listen to The Current and you’ll see why we say, “Great Music Lives Here.” Find playlist, interviews and more at thecurrent.org.

Broadway Music

Broadway on Slacker puts you font row center for the shows of today and the great tunes from the golden era. Whether you're a fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Steven Sondheim, we've got your ticket. Please silence your cellphones. The curtain is coming up. Welcome to Broadway on Slacker.

Aretha Franklin

This station plays the best music from and music from related artists like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Spinners, Barry White and more.

All Stations

Aretha Franklin's Selected Discography (50)

The Electrifying Aretha Franklin

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201219 Songs

The Great American Songbook

Originally Recorded 1963 & Released 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.201118 Songs

A Bit Of Soul

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201122 Songs

Aretha

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201112 Songs

Laughing On The Outside

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201116 Songs

Take A Look: The Clyde Otis Sessions

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201115 Songs

The Queen In Waiting

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201121 Songs

The Tender, The Moving, The Swinging Aretha Franklin

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201113 Songs

Tiny Sparrow: The Bobby Scott Sessions

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment201111 Songs

It Aint Necessarily So

This Christmas

2008 DMI Records.200811 Songs

Let Me in Your Life

200811 Songs

The Great American Songbook

So Damn Happy

(P) 2003 Arista Records LLC200311 Songs

What You See Is What You Sweat

(P) 1991 Arista Records LLC200110 Songs

Love All the Hurt Away

(P)1998 Arista Records LLC199810 Songs

A Rose Is Still a Rose

(P) 1997 Arista Records LLC199811 Songs

I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation, manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group company199514 Songs

Lady Soul

1968 Atlantic Recording Corp., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group company199514 Songs

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington

(P) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment199511 Songs

Hey Now Hey: The Other Side of the Sky

1973 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. 199410 Songs

Let Me in Your Life

2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing199411 Songs

Soul '69

2005 Atlantic Records Inc. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing.199312 Songs

Spirit in the Dark

2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing199312 Songs

This Girl's in Love with You

2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured and Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing199310 Songs

Young, Gifted and Black

1972 Atlantic Recording Corp., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company199312 Songs

Aretha Arrives

2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing199311 Songs

Aretha Now

1968 & 1993 Atlantic Recording Corporation199310 Songs

Gospel

2010 SGAE20108 Songs

Dance Vault Mixes - (Pride) A Deeper Love

(P) 1993, 1994 Touchstone Pictures20069 Songs

Dance Vault Remixes - Who's Zoomin' Who?

(P) 1985 Arista Records LLC20064 Songs

Dance Vault Mixes - Here We Go Again

(P)1997, 1998 Arista Records LLC20067 Songs

Get It Right

(P)1998 Arista Records LLC19988 Songs

Who's Zoomin' Who?

(P) 1985 Arista Records LLC19909 Songs

Aretha [1986]

(P)1986 Arista Records LLC19889 Songs

Jump to It

(P)1998 Arista Records LLC19828 Songs

Aretha [1980]

(P) 1980 Arista Records LLC19809 Songs

Young, Gifted and Black [Japan]

2005 Atlantic Records Inc. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing.DIGITAL200512 Songs

Lady Soul [Japan]

2004 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic MarketingDIGITAL200510 Songs

Rhino Hi-Five: Aretha Franklin

2005 Warner Strategic MarketingDIGITAL20055 Songs

It Ain't Necessarily So

Over the Rainbow

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

1967 Atlantic Recording Corp.DIGITAL20092 Songs

One Night with the King

2009 DMI RecordsDIGITAL20091 Songs

The Lord Will Make a Way

2009 DMI RecordsDIGITAL20091 Songs

Put You Up On Game

(P) 2007 Arista Records LLC, a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENTSINGLE20071 Songs

Wonderful

(P) 2003 Arista Records LLCSINGLE20031 Songs

The Only Thing Missin'

(P) 2003 Arista Records LLCSINGLE20031 Songs

Chain of Fools/Prove It

1968 Atlantic Recording Corp.SINGLE19682 Songs

Respect/Dr. Feelgood

1967 Atlantic Recording Corp.SINGLE19672 Songs

All Albums

Artists Related to Aretha Franklin (50)

	The Temptations	Thanks to their fine-tuned choreography -- and even finer harmonies -- the Temptations became the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s; one of Motown's most elastic acts, they tackled both lush pop and politically charged funk with equal flair, and weathered a steady stream of changes in personnel and consumer tastes with rare dignity and grace.
	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.
	Al Green	Al Green was the first great soul singer of the '70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer.
	Stevie Wonder	Stevie Wonder is a much-beloved American icon and an indisputable genius not only of R&B but popular music in general.
	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 century of performing, the group's distinguished history spanned not only two generations of Isley siblings but also massive cultural shifts which heralded their music's transformation from gritty R&B to Motown soul to blistering funk.
	The O'Jays	The O'Jays were one of Philadelphia soul's most popular and long-lived outfits, rivaled only by the Spinners as soul's greatest vocal group of the '70s.
	Earth, Wind & Fire	Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially popular funk bands of the '70s.
	Gladys Knight & The Pips	One of the great soul singers, Gladys Knight was a performer from her childhood years, forming the Pips with her brother Merald and a couple cousins.
	The Spinners	The Spinners were the greatest soul group of the early '70s, creating a body of work that defined the lush, seductive sound of Philly soul.
	Barry White	Say the name Barry White and you'd be hard pressed to follow it with the name of any other recording artist with such a huge, cross-sectional following.
	Commodores	Renowned for the R&B hits "Just to Be Close to You," "Easy," and "Brickhouse," to name but a few, Commodores were one of the top bands during their long tenure at Motown.
	Smokey Robinson	Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, but one could argue that Smokey Robinson was the man who first pushed America's most iconic soul music label toward greatness.
	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 emotional way with both party tunes and aching ballads.
	The Jackson 5	The Jackson 5 were one of the biggest phenomenons in pop music during the early '70s, and the last great group to come out of the Motown hitmaking machine before Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder shifted the label's focus to more individual visions.
	James Brown	"Soul Brother Number One," "the Godfather of Soul," "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business," "Mr.
	The Stylistics	After the Spinners and the O'Jays, the Stylistics were the leading Philly soul group produced by Thom Bell.
	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.
	Teddy Pendergrass	Teddy Pendergrass started singing gospel music in Philadelphia churches, becoming an ordained minister at ten years old.
	Four Tops	The Four Tops' story is one of longevity and togetherness: these Motown legends teamed up in high school and spent over four decades without a single personnel change.
	Patti LaBelle	Soul diva Patti LaBelle enjoyed one of the longest-lived careers in contemporary music, notching hits in a variety of sounds ranging from girl group pop to space-age funk to lush ballads.
	Luther Vandross	Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1980s and '90s. Not only did he score a series of multi-million-selling albums containing chart-topping hit singles and perform sold-out tours of the U.
	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 after their breakout hit "Celebration" in 1979.
	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.
	The Gap Band	The Gap Band, centered around brothers Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, toiled in obscurity for several years prior to becoming one of the most popular funk groups of the late '70s and 1980s.
	Chaka Khan	Best known in the mainstream for her superb 1984 cover of Prince's "I Feel for You," R&B singer Chaka Khan enjoyed solo success as well as popularity as a member of the group Rufus.
	Rick James	In the late '70s, when the fortunes of Motown Records seemed to be flagging, Rick James came along and rescued the company, providing funky hits that updated the label's style and saw it through into the mid-'80s.
	Freddie Jackson	To urban contemporary listeners, Freddie Jackson was one of the biggest stars of the latter half of the '80s, dominating the R&B charts seemingly at will.
	The Chi-Lites	One of the most popular smooth soul groups of the early '70s didn't hail from Philadelphia or Memphis, the two cities known for sweet, string-laden soul.
	The Manhattans	The Manhattans were one of those classic R&B vocal groups who manage to achieve incredible career longevity by adapting their style to fit changing times.
	The Whispers	The Whispers are a veteran R&B quintet with an impressive 23-year legacy of R&B hits. Formed in Los Angeles by twins Walter and Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon (who left in 1973), the Whispers turned up on the Dore label in 1964 with "I Was Born When You Kissed Me.
	Diana Ross	As a solo artist, Diana Ross is one of the most successful female singers of the rock era. If you factor in her work as the lead singer of the Supremes in the 1960s, she may be the most successful.
	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 pop, funk, folk, and rock.
	Anita Baker	With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the '80s.
	Bobby Womack	A veteran who paid his dues for over a decade before getting his shot at solo stardom, Bobby Womack persevered through tragedy and addiction to emerge as one of soul music's great survivors.
	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.
	Curtis Mayfield	Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized.
	Atlantic Starr	Atlantic Starr was among the top urban contemporary acts of the '80s and fared well in the adult contemporary market as well, but their roots were '70s soul and funk.
	Maze	Combining a Philadelphia soul sound with a strong appreciation of Marvin Gaye, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly was among the top R&B acts of the late '70s and '80s.
	The 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.
	Whitney Houston	Whitney Houston was inarguably one of the biggest female pop stars of all time. Her accomplishments as a hitmaker were extraordinary; just to scratch the surface, she became the first artist ever to have seven consecutive singles hit number one, and her 1993 Dolly Parton cover "I Will Always Love You" became nothing less than the biggest hit single in rock history.
	Heatwave	Completely cosmopolitan with international grooves to spare, Heatwave emerged as one of the disco era's funkiest dance groups.
	Rose Royce	Rose Royce -- the Los Angeles-based group comprised of Henry Garner (drums); Terral "Terry" Santiel (congas); Lequeint "Duke" Jobe (bass); Michael Moore (saxophone); Gwen Dickey, performing with the group using the stage name Rose Norwalt (lead vocals); Kenny Copeland (trumpet, lead vocals); Kenji Brown (guitar, lead vocals); Freddie Dunn (trumpet); and Michael Nash (keyboards) -- were actually formed by Copeland and Garner.
	The Delfonics	The Delfonics were one of the first groups to sing in the sleek, soulful style that became popularized (thanks to producer Thom Bell) as the "Philadelphia sound.
	The Emotions	A trio of sisters with a strong gospel base, the Emotions (based in Chicago) were one of the leading female R&B acts of the '70s.
	Stephanie Mills	Stephanie Mills first came to fame as "the little girl with the big voice" as the star of the hit Broadway play, The Wiz, an adaptation of L.
	L.T.D.	Long-running funk outfit L.T.D. -- Love, Togetherness and Devotion -- was formed in Greensboro, NC in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie "J.
	Zapp	One of the most underrated funk groups of the 1980s, Zapp revolutionized the computer pop of electro with their trademark vocoder talk boxes and bumping grooves, emulating the earthier side of Prince and Cameo, with a leader in Roger Troutman who was more than efficient at polished production.
	Isaac Hayes	Few figures exerted greater influence over the music of the 1960s and 1970s than Isaac Hayes; after laying the groundwork for the Memphis soul sound through his work with Stax-Volt Records, Hayes began a highly successful solo career which predated not only the disco movement but also the evolution of rap.
	The Dramatics	Before assuming the name the Dramatics, the vocal sextet comprised of Rob Davis, Ron Banks, Larry Reed, Robert Ellington, Larry "Squirrel" Demps, and Elbert Wilkens initially released two singles as the Dynamics on the Wingate imprint that saw no chart action.
	Cameo	An outlandish, in-your-face stage presence, a strange sense of humor, and a hard-driving funk sound that criss-crossed a few musical boundaries earned Cameo countless comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic in their early days.