Soul & R&B
Soulful voices and R&B grooves, from Motown legends to 90s icons.
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Ike & Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” on Ed Sullivan, 1970
The night Ike & Tina Turner took “Proud Mary” from nice and easy to nice and rough on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1970, and how the song became Tina’s own.
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End of the Road: 10 Facts About Boyz II Men’s Record Hit
Ten facts about Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road,” from a Philly high school and the Boomerang soundtrack to a record 13 weeks at No. 1 in 1992.
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September: The Joyful Story of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Hit
The story behind Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”: a guitar groove, a nonsense lyric, a family secret about the 21st night, and what to play next.
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Whitney Houston’s 1991 Super Bowl Anthem: The Full Story
How Whitney Houston’s Super Bowl XXV national anthem came together in 1991, what happened in Tampa, and why it’s still the gold standard today.
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Waterfalls: TLC’s 1995 Anthem and Its Unforgettable Video
The story of TLC’s “Waterfalls”: the message behind the song, F. Gary Gray’s million-dollar video, seven weeks at No. 1 and why it still matters.
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Billie Jean: The Story Behind Michael Jackson’s Iconic Video
How Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” was made, how its light-up sidewalk video broke the MTV barrier, and why the 1983 classic still matters today.
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Rhythm Nation: How Janet Jackson’s Uniform Made History
The black cap, buckled jacket and single key earring: how Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” uniform was made, what it meant and how it lives on.
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Aretha Franklin and Respect: The Queen of Soul’s Anthem
How Aretha Franklin turned an Otis Redding song into “Respect,” the 1967 anthem that crowned the Queen of Soul, plus where to start listening today.