Etta James may have had a cherubic face — but listen to that voice. And check out that cat’s eye. Etta was BAD and letting us know in her own inimitable way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzibSiJv8hc Drink that in, cause they don’t make it like that anymore. I first featured that video in a Throwback Thursday in 2008,…
Throwback Thursday
Marvin Gaye – Gone But Never Forgotten
Marvin Gaye – musical innovator, truth teller, soul singer, Trouble Man. Today marks 26 years since Marvin passed away. Tomorrow would have been his 71st birthday. I paid homage to Marvin in this Lost Ones post — I gave up writing that series because it ached to work on it. That post in particular got…
Throwback Thursday – Songs That Heal and Protect
This has been one of those weeks where I wish I could just go back to Monday and start over. I’ve been pretty much flat in bed, drinking Nyquil by night and Dayquil by day. Yup, I’m sick and on top of that the deadlines and e mails don’t ever stop when you work for…
RIP, Teddy Pendergrass
This has been an awful, awful week for bad news. Today apparently is no exception. I just woke up to learn that R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass has passed away. What a sad way to kick off a Throwback Thursday post. CNN reports that he passed away last night, and details aren’t forthcoming but his death…
Throwback Thursday – Still Missing Michael
Like many of my peers in the blogosphere, I’ve been trying my best to move on. But it’s hard. I still can’t quite believe — a week ago, Michael Jackson passed away. Even typing that phrase feels wrong. I wrote a tribute from the depths of my heart and then tried to look away from…
RIP, Koko Taylor
I know I just moved to Chicago, but I’ve already witnessed the power of the blues. One of the first things I did as I hit the city was head to Buddy Guy’s, and you can feel the spirit of legends in the air. Tragically, one of those Chicago blues legends passed away yesterday. Koko…
Throwback Thursday — Althea and Donna
Bellas in the Seventies knew how to do it! The golden era of natural hair gave me much hair and style inspiration. Today I want to shine a light on two underrated pioneers in the Jamaican reggae scene, Althea and Donna. In the Seventies, the late great producer Joe Gibbs made 17 year old Althea…
RIP, Alton Ellis
Sad news in the reggae world tonight, as one of Jamaican music’s pioneers has passed away. Rest in peace, Alton Ellis, the godfather of rocksteady. According to the
Throwback Thursday — Luther, Luther, Luther
I never met him, never knew him, but I miss him. Luther Vandross was a rare artist, a man with a golden voice, and from all appearances, a golden personality. Having grown up on his music — raise your hand if you had a copy of The Best of Luther Vandross at your crib! —…