Gladys Horton of the Marvelettes

Gladys Horton,(far left in picture) a founding member of the Marvelettes, one of Motown's first girl groups, died Wednesday night (Jan 27th 2011) in a nursing home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. According to a statement from her son, Horton suffered a stroke last year. She was 66 years old. Horton was just 15 when "Please Mr. Postman" rocketed onto the charts in the summer of 1961 — bringing Motown Records its first number one pop hit. She sang lead on the song. Her group, The Marvelettes, were signed to Tamla Records, a label owned by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, after the group came in fourth in a singing competition at Inkster High School, in a suburb of Detroit.

Michael Jackson
	. In memory of Michael Jackson............... we will miss the KING OF POP. (Aug 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009)

Wow - what an incredible life!! It is not enough for us to call Michael Jackson the "King of Pop" He was indeed the "KING OF THE MUSIC WORLD, and forever will be a LEGEND" there will never be another entertainer like him......... We are thankful that we were here to experience his legacy, he was a true artist with an amazing life - thank you Michael for giving us yourself in your lifetime, you will be missed, so we feel it is our duty to keep your music living in the present for those still to come. May your messages last forever............you will be surely missed.

Tony Curtis Tony Curtis (June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010) was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 60 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama. His most significant serious part came in 1968 when he starred in the true-life drama The Boston Strangler, which some consider his “last major film role.”[4] The part reinforced his reputation as a serious actor with his "chilling portrayal" of serial killer Albert de Salvo. He gained 30 pounds and had his face “rebuilt” with a false nose to look like the real de Salvo. Curtis was the father of actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis[5] who he fathered with his wife, actress Janet Leigh.

Ali Woodson

Ali-Ollie Woodson (September 12, 1951 – May 30, 2010) was an American R&B singer, songwriter, keyboardist and occasional actor. He was known for singing with The Temptations beginning in 1984, and also worked with Aretha Franklin and Bill Pinkney. He is notable for being lead singer of Motown act The Temptations from 1984 to 1986, and from 1988 to 1996. While in the group, he co-wrote, co-produced and sang lead on the 1984 Temptations single "Treat Her Like a Lady", which was a #2 hit on the U.S. R&B charts. His last Temptations album was 1995's For Lovers Only.

James Brown James Brown - The Godfather of Soul Born May 3, 1933, Barnwell, S.C., U.S.—died Dec. 25, 2006, Atlanta, Ga. An American singer, songwriter, arranger, and dancer, who was one of the most important and influential entertainers in 20th-century popular music and whose remarkable achievements earned him the sobriquet “the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business.” During the 1960s Brown was known as “Soul Brother Number One.” His hit recordings of that decade have often been associated with the emergence of the black aesthetic and black nationalist movements, especially the songs “Say It Loud—I'm Black and I'm Proud” (1968), “Don't Be a Drop-Out” (1966), and “I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothin' (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself)” (1969). Politicians recruited him to help calm cities struck by civil insurrection and avidly courted his endorsement. In the 1970s Brown became “the Godfather of Soul,” and his hit songs stimulated several dance crazes and were featured on the sound tracks of a number of “blaxploitation” films (sensational, low-budget, action-oriented motion pictures with African American protagonists). When hip-hop emerged as a viable commercial music in the 1980s, Brown's songs again assumed centre stage as hip-hop disc jockeys frequently incorporated samples (audio snippets) from his records. He also appeared in several motion pictures, including The Blues Brothers (1980) and Rocky IV (1985), and attained global status as a celebrity, especially in Africa, where his tours attracted enormous crowds and generated a broad range of new musical fusions.

Luther Vandross Singer, songwriter. Born April 20, 1951, in New York City. The youngest of four children, Vandross was raised by his mother after his father died. He became interested in R&B music during high school, and in 1972, his song "Everybody Rejoice" was picked up for the Broadway musical The Wiz. Soon after, he started recording commercial jingles and worked as a backup singer and arranger for such popular artists as David Bowie, Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand. In 1981, Vandross signed with Epic and released his debut album, Never Too Much, which sold more than a million copies. He released several subsequent albums throughout the 1980s, often partnering with such luminary female artists as Aretha Franklin. Though Vandross was a major R&B phenomenon, it wasn't until the early 1990s that he became a pop success. He won his first Grammy in 1991 for "Here and Now," two in 1992 for co-writing and performing "Power of Love," and a fourth in 1997 for "Your Secret Love." Vandross continued to produce recordings throughout the 1990s with great success. These included a Top Ten remake of "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey, "This is Christmas" in 1996 and "I Know" in 1998. The singer suffered a debilitating stroke in 2003, from which he never fully recovered. He appeared via video at the 2004 Grammys, where he won four awards for his last album "Dance With My Father," including Song of the Year. Vandross died on July 1, 2005.

Barry White Singer, songwriter. Born Barry Lee on September 12, 1944 in Galveston, Texas. White was raised in Los Angeles, where he immersed himself in the local music culture at an early age. He made several records during the early '60s, under his own name (Barry Lee), and as a member of the Upfronts, the Atlantics and the Majestics. However, he found greater success offstage, guiding the careers of others, including Felice Taylor and Viola Wills. In 1969, White formed the group Love Unlimited, a female vocal trio made up of Diane Taylor, Glodean James (his future wife) and her sister Linda. He also founded the Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece ensemble to accompany himself and the singing trio, for which he conducted, composed and arranged. Love Unlimited's success in 1972 can in large part be attributed to White's throaty vocals in such hits as "Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love." The group's success rejuvenated White's own career, receiving acclaim for such songs as "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" and "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" in 1973 and "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe" and "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" in 1974. During the peak of his career, White earned gold and platinum discs for worldwide sales. The UK singer Lisa Stansfield has often publicly supported White's work and in 1992, she and White re-recorded a version of Stansfield's hit, "All Around The World." During the '90s, a series of commercially successful albums proved White's status as more than just a cult figure. In May 2003, White suffered a stroke while waiting for a kidney transplant, which he needed due to complications from years of chronic high blood pressure. He died on July 4, 2003 in Los Angeles.

Wilson Pickett (born March 18, 1941, Prattville, Alabama, U.S.—died January 19, 2006, Reston, Virginia) American singer-songwriter, whose explosive style helped define the soul music of the 1960s. Pickett was a product of the Southern black church, and gospel was at the core of his musical manner and onstage persona. He testified rather than sang, preached rather than crooned. His delivery was marked by the fervour of religious conviction, no matter how secular the songs he sang. Pickett's switch to secular music came quickly. As a member of the Falcons, a hardcore rhythm-and-blues vocal group, he sang lead on his own composition “I Found a Love” (1962), one of the songs that interested Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler in Pickett as a solo artist. “Pickett was a pistol,” said Wexler, who nicknamed him “the Wicked Pickett” and sent him to Memphis, Tennessee, to write with Otis Redding's collaborator, guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's. The result was a smash single, “In the Midnight Hour” (1965). From that moment on, Pickett was a star. With his dazzling good looks and confident demeanour, he stood as a leading exponent of the Southern-fried school of soul singing. His unadorned straight-from-the-gut approach was accepted, even revered, by a civil-rights-minded pop culture. After his initial string of smashes—“Land of 1000 Dances” (1966), “Mustang Sally” (1966), “Funky Broadway” (1967)—Pickett was successfully produced by Philadelphians Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who took a bit of the edge off his fiery style on “Engine Number 9” (1970) and “Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You” (1971). Before leaving Atlantic, Pickett enjoyed another run of smashes, including “Don't Knock My Love” (1971), “Call My Name, I'll Be There” (1971), and “Fire and Water” (1972). The advent of funk bands and disco resulted in a decline in Pickett's popularity, although there are critics who consider “Groove City” (1979) on EMI, his one nod to disco, a dance groove of monumental stature. Although his output began to slow in the 1980s, Pickett continued to perform into the early 21st century, and his influence on younger generations of soulful singers, from Johnny Gill to Jonny Lang, remained strong. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Curtis Mayfield Rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and producer. Born June 3, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. In his four decades in the music business, Mayfield helped bring a unique racial consciousness to popular music and introduced an innovative sound that greatly influenced following generations of musicians. Mayfield began singing by the age of seven; he also taught himself to play guitar, led his own gospel and soul group, the Alphatones, and began composing music and writing lyrics before he was a teenager. In 1956, Mayfield moved with his family to the North Side of Chicago, where he met the singer Jerry Butler while performing in a church choir. Butler convinced the 14-year-old Mayfield to join his soul band, then called the Roosters. Two years later, after renaming itself the Impressions, the group scored a No. 11 hit with "For Your Precious Love." In 1970, Mayfield began a solo career, recording a series of albums and working as a producer for artists like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight and the Pips. His most memorable solo project was the classic 1972 funk album Superfly, the soundtrack to the hit "blaxploitation" film of the same name. Superfly was the No. 1 album on the pop charts for four weeks and solidified Mayfield's legacy as one of the late-20th century's most innovative songwriters and performers. Though his popularity began to fade in the late 1970s with the rise of disco, Mayfield continued to record hopeful, inspirational music and tour actively in the United States, Europe, and Japan. In 1990, during an outdoor concert in Brooklyn, New York, a lighting scaffold fell on Mayfield; the accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. The amazingly indefatigable musician continued to compose and record music, learning to sing while lying flat on his back and letting gravity create the necessary pressure on his lungs. In 1996, the year after he received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement, Mayfield released his final album, New World Order. In the years following his accident, Mayfield’s health had continued to deteriorate, and in 1998 his right leg was amputated due to complications from diabetes. On December 26, 1999, Mayfield died at the age of 57. A two-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (he gained admission with the Impressions in 1991 and as a solo performer in 1999), Mayfield had been living in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Altheida. He had 10 children and seven grandchildren.

Elvis Presley Singer, musician, actor. Born Elvis Aron Presley on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron.) From very humble beginnings, Elvis Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock and roll. He was originally supposed to be a twin, but his brother Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie) was stillborn. After graduating in 1953, he worked a number of jobs while pursuing his musical dream. He cut his first demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that year, and before long, Sam Phillips, the record label owner, decided to take the young performer under his wing. "That's All Right" was Presley's first single in 1954. Presley began touring and recording, trying to get his first big break. In 1955, Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips, and good looks. That same year, he signed with RCA Records, a deal worked out by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, scoring his first number one single with "Heartbreak Hotel" and first number one album, Elvis Presley, and signing a movie contract with Paramount Pictures—all in 1956. Despite the uproar his sexy dance moves caused, he also becomes a popular guest on a number of television variety shows. Soon Presley appeared to be everywhere—on the radio, television, and on screen. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Even a stint in the U.S. military couldn't put a damper on Presley's thriving career. Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw in Las Vegas and on tour. He gave his last concert in June 1977 in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the concert, Presley returned home to his Memphis mansion, Graceland, to prepare for another tour. Sometime on the morning of August 16, 1977 Elvis Presley died of heart failure. He was 42 years old. During his amazing career, Presley helped popularize rock and roll music in America. He also won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings. A major musical force, Presley had 18 number one singles, including "Don't Be Cruel," "Good Luck Charm," and "Suspicious Minds" as well as countless gold and platinum albums. He was one of the first performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. More recently, Presley has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001 in recognition of his contributions to both genres of music.

The Four Tops American vocal group that was one of Motown's most popular acts in the 1960s. The members were Renaldo (“Obie”) Benson (b. June 14, 1936, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.—d. July 1, 2005, Detroit), Abdul (“Duke”) Fakir (b. December 26, 1935, Detroit), Lawrence Payton (b. 1938, Detroit—d. June 20, 1997, Southfield, Michigan), and Levi Stubbs (byname of Levi Stubbles; b. June 6, 1936, Detroit—d. October 17, 2008, Detroit). The Four Tops formed after singing together at a party in 1953, calling themselves until 1956 the Four Aims. They spent a decade performing primarily jazz-oriented material in clubs and releasing poorly received singles before signing with Motown Records. Under the stewardship of Motown's premier songwriting and producing team, Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland), the Four Tops became consistent hit makers, registering their first hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” in 1964. “I Can't Help Myself” (number one on the pop and rhythm-and-blues charts in the United States) and “It's the Same Old Song” followed in 1965, establishing the group's signature sound: Stubbs's gruff, passionate lead vocals set against gentler background harmonies. The group reached a pinnacle of fame in 1966 with its second million-seller, “Reach Out I'll Be There.” Splitting with Motown in 1972 when the label relocated to California but returning for another five-year stint with the company in the mid-1980s, the group's original lineup continued to tour and record together throughout the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

The Rat Pack Group of entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Henry Silva who often performed in Las Vegas clubs together and who made a reputation for themselves as playboys by partying together off-stage until the wee hours of the morning. All five appeared together in Ocean's Eleven (1960). Sinatra and Martin starred together in Some Came Running (1958) and Sinatra, Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. teamed up for Bells are Ringing (1960), The Detective (1968) and Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964). Silva and Sinatra also starred in four films together. These men will forever be remembered!!

Jan Murray

Jimmy Hendrix

Lou Rawls

Marvin Gaye

Miles Davis

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

Tammi Terrell

Temptations

Gregory Hines - Tap Dancer