The Queens of R&B…

 Pattie LaBelle

       Dionne Warick                        Gladys Knight

 

These are my girls right here! These are the Sisters of R&B. They are a prime representation of what R&B / Soul music is. I’ve seen Patti Labelle perform, but I haven’t seen Dionne Warick or Gladys Knight LIVE in person. However, I listen to ALL of their music and I’ll admit, I even have it on my I-Pod! Ballroom dancing is a big part of my life, dancing in general always has.  Dancing slow or dancing fast, like my favorite, the Hustle; has always allowed me to appreciate these women. These are true American singers and will always be.

Listening to Dionne’s “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” Patti LaBelle’s ”You Are My Friend,” and Ms. Knight’s “On That Midnight Train to Georgia,” truly show this genre of music to it’s highest degree. I’m 21 years old and I love these women. They actually bring you to tears when they sing because of the passion they express while they are singing.

 

Pattie LaBelle

 

Gladys Knight

 

Dionne Warick

 

 

 

 

GLADYS KNIGHT…

Gladys Knight

 

Gladys Knight is a woman who I also admire. Her powerful voice much like Ms. Patti LaBelle, is what truly makes her music what it is. Gladys performed in her group called, Gladys Knight and the Pips. They were an R&B / Soul  group from Atlanta, Georgia. Gladys was very active in singing from 1953- 1989. From 1989 on, she’s sang her original hits and has performed all over.

Her first hit with the group was “Every Beat of My Heart.” One of my favorite songs of hers is “On That Midnight Train To Georgia.” Gladys won a Grammy for that song in 1973.

In the 1980’s Gladys and the Pips had to break up due to legal problems with the record company Buddha. After listing with Colombia records, Gladys was able to reunite with her Pips! They lasted until 1988 and then concluded their career together.

It’s her personality and dedication to her music that has allowed her to be successful. Her music has meaning to people  and to her fans. It’s the way she sings her songs with such enthusiasm and strength that makes you feel her soul. You can feel her soul when she sings and that’s what this is all about. You can understand the meaning of her songs as she is singing then because in some way you can relate to the lyrics.  “On That Midnight Train to Georgia,” is one song of hers that has true meaning.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr.

This week I decided to blog about three singers who I admire the most. One of them happens to be Mr. Davis.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a dancer, actor and singer. A true American Icon. He has recorded many records and has starred in various movies. He began performing at the age of four. He starred in his first film, “Rufus Jones for President.” He was trained by tap dancing legends and wrote his own music. He also wrote music for several other performers, such as, Frank Sinatra.

  I went to see Paul Anka, a popular singer in the fifties and sixties. Paul mentioned Sammy Davis at the beginning of his show. He told everyone how Davis wrote many of the songs that were sung by the various performers of their time. He said Sammy took a back seat through out much of his career. The issue of race at the time played a role as to why Sammy Davis didn’t get the credit he deserved. Paul wanted to make it clear, when singing his different songs, as to which ones Sammy wrote.

Sammy Davis is someone I admire because of his strength to pull though during the difficult times he faced. Being a black entertainer wasn’t easy for many during the 50’s, but Sammy didn’t let anyone stop him from doing what he loved the most, making people smile!