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The Bar-Kays were founded in Memphis in 1966, evolving from an earlier band called the Imperials. The founder members were Jimmy King (guitar), Ben Cauley (trumpet), Ronnie Caldwell...

Header Photo: Michael Jackson 1992 (Wikimedia Commons): Daniele Dalledonne

Elko Records was originally called Echo Records. The company was formed in 1949 by John R. Fulbright and Jack Jackson in Los Angeles. Not much is known about...

SAR was founded by Sam Cooke and J.W. Alexander in 1959, based at 3710, West 27th Street in Los Angeles. In 1961, the label’s office moved to 6425,...

Syl Johnson was born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, in 1936. His family moved to Chicago in 1950, where Johnson started singing with Blues artists, including Magic...

The Session Musiciansat Motown are now famous as the Funk Brothers, but this was, in fact, a name that was only used later. Berry Gordy didn’t like the...

Whitney Houston’s signature recording “I Will Always Love You” was the singer’s biggest hit. Written by Dolly Parton in 1973, the song was originally released on 2nd November...

Header Photo: Curtis Mayfield 1972 Source: Beeld en Geluidwiki - Gallery: Curtis Mayfield (programma) Wikimedia Commons

Barney Ales was promoted to Motown’s Executive Vice-President and General Manager in 1969, from which position he ensured Motown’s success as a business for a few more years....

Header Photo: Diana Ross Source: City of Boston Archives (Wikimedia Commons)