Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers (And One Founding…

Founding Fathers:…

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Dave Bartholomew

By Michael Verity | January 2, 2012

Dave Bartholomew Collaborator Fats Domino, 2010 (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) A much-lauded band leader, songwriter and arranger, Dave Bartholomew was a major force behind the early sounds of rock and roll. Read His Story Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Jesse Belvin

By Michael Verity | January 2, 2012

Jesse Belvin - Goodnight My Love (Jamie Records, 1956) Mostly known for writing the Penguins' hit, "Earth Angel," Jesse Belvin was an influential singer and songwriter during his abbreviated career. Read His Story Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Clovers

Founding Fathers The Clovers Sing Their Biggest Hit, c. 1951 (YouTube)

By Michael Verity | December 29, 2011

Formed in Washington, DC in 1946, the Clovers were best known for the smooth ballads and bluesy jumps they recorded with the fledgling Atlantic label during the 1950s. Let's Roll In The Clovers Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Mothers: Linda Clifford

Linda Clifford's Biggest Hit Was 1978's "Runaway Love" (Curtom, 1978)

By Michael Verity | December 28, 2011

Linda Clifford is a New York-born singer and actress who secured Founding Mother status with some notable R&B-infused dance cuts during the late 1970s. Tell Me About Linda Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Coasters

Coasters Priducers Jerry Leiber (L) and Mike Stoller in 2009 (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Bobbi Marcus PR)

By Michael Verity | December 27, 2011

Born in LA, the Coasters were one of R&B's most successful acts of the '50s, trading on their humorous approach to teenage problems via the songwriting of Leiber and Stoller. Tell Me About Them Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Wayne Cochran

Wayne Cochran Makes His First Appearance on the Jackie Gleason Show (YouTube)

By Michael Verity | December 27, 2011

Drawing sartorial comparisons to Little Richard and musical comparisons to Otis Redding and James Brown, Wayne Cochran was a flamboyant Founding Father of '60s R&B. Tell Me About Him Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Willie Clayton

Pawn Records was where Willie Clayton released many of his early hits. (Pawn, 1970)

By Michael Verity | December 26, 2011

Though he's never achieved huge national recognition, Founding Father Willie Clayton's produced a consistent stream of hickory-smoked southern soul since he began recording in the late '60s. Tell Me About Willie Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Mothers: Merry Clayton

Merry Clayton, 2005 (Vince Bucci Getty Images Entertainment)

By Michael Verity | December 26, 2011

Best known for her performance on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," Founding Mother Merry Clayton lent her powerful voice to many other cuts and produced some notable sides under her own name, as well. I Wish You A Merry Clayton Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: The Classics

The Classics - "Till Then" (Musictone, 1963)

By Michael Verity | December 24, 2011

Originally known as the Perennials, Founding Fathers the Classics were a quartet of doo-woppers best known for their 1963 hit, "'Till Then." Let's Learn About the Classics Read more »

Founding Fathers

Founding Fathers: Tony Clarke And “The Entertainer”

A Still From a Very Rare Video of Tony Clarke Singing "The Entertainer" (YouTube)

By Michael Verity | December 23, 2011

Tony Clarke was a New York City-born soul singer whose Founding Father status revolves around a pair of much-loved singles recorded during the 1960s. Tell Me About Tony Read more »