http://mp3.rhapsody.com/charts?cat=artist&category=genre&genreId=93&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rssTop Motown Artists on Rhapsody OnlineMotownen720Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:37:44 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/charts?cat=artist&category=genre&genreId=93&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1967&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Soul Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:52 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1967 art.1967 Stevie Wonder art.1967 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1967&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1967&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss
Stevie Morris' prodigious musical talents were recognized when Ronnie White of the Miracles heard the 10-year-old boy, blind from infancy, playing the harmonica for his children, and introduced him to Berry Gordy Jr. of the Hitsville U.S.A. &Number 8212; soon Motown &Number 8212; organization. Gordy named him Little Stevie Wonder. His third single, "Fingertips (Part 2)" was a Number 1 pop and R&B hit eight months later. Both on records and in live shows he was featured playing harmonica, drums, piano, and organ, as well as singing &Number 8212; sometimes all in one number.

During his first three years in show business, Wonder was presented as an R&B screamer in the Ray Charles mold; much was made of the fact that both were blind. In 1964 he appeared on the screen in Muscle Beach Party and Bikini Beach. Uptight (Number Three, 1966) included "I Was Made to Love Her" (Number Two, 1967), "For Once in My Life" (Number Two, 1968), and "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" (Number Nine, 1968). The Wonder style broadened to include Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" (Number Nine, 1966), the optimistic "A Place in the Sun" (Number Nine, 1968), and an instrumental version of Burt Bacharach's "Alfie." In 1969 he hit the upper reaches of the charts with the ballads "My Cherie Amour" (Number 4) and "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" (Number 7).

As his adolescence came to an end, Wonder took charge of his career. By the time of Signed Sealed & Delivered (Number 25, 1970), he was virtually self-sufficient in the studio, serving as his own producer and arranger, playing most of the instruments himself, and writing material with his wife, Syreeta Wright. In this phase, he scored three more hit singles: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (Number Three, 1970), "Heaven Help Us All" (Number Nine, 1970), and "If You Really Love Me" (Number Eight, 1971).

When he reached his 21st birthday in 1971, he negotiated a new contract with Motown that made him the label's first artist to win complete artistic control (also at 21 he was due the money he had made as a minor; despite earning over $30 million, he received only $1 million). While his singles upheld the company tradition of hook-happy radio fare, they distinguished themselves with such socially conscious subjects as ghetto hardship and political disenfranchisement, especially in evidence in "Living for the City" (Number Eight, 1973). His albums, beginning with Music of My Mind (Number 21, 1972), on which he played most of the instruments, were devoted to his more exotic musical ideas (which incorporated gospel, rock & roll, jazz, and African and Latin rhythms). To his panoply of instruments, he added synthesizers; played with rare invention and funk, they became the signature of his sound.

Wonder's 1972 tour of the United States with the Rolling Stones helped make Number 1 hits of two singles released within the next year &Number 8212; "Superstition" (written for Jeff Beck) and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" &Number 8212; from Talking Book (Number Three, 1972). The period was difficult personally for Wonder: In 1972 his marriage to Wright ended after only a year (later, with companion Yolanda Simmons, he had two children, as well as a third child by vocalist Melody McCulley). In 1973 he was in a serious car crash that left him in a coma for four days.

In the four years and three albums following Talking Book, Wonder made three more Number 1 singles ("You Haven't Done Nothin'," "I Wish," and "Sir Duke"), sold millions of each, and received 15 Grammy Awards. Innervisions (Number Four, 1973) also included "Higher Ground" (Number Four, 1973), while Fulfillingness' First Finale (Number One, 1974) yielded "Boogie On Reggae Woman" (Number Three, 1974). His songs were covered widely, and he was an acknowledged influence on musicians from Jeff Beck to George Benson to Bob Marley. Working with B.B. King, the Jacksons, the Supremes, Minnie Ripperton, Rufus, and Syreeta Wright, he established himself as a major songwriter and producer. Songs in the Key of Life (Number One, 1976) (a double album released after he had signed a $13-million contract with Motown) was a tour de force and topped the charts for 14 weeks.

Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants (Number Four, 1979) three years in the making, was ostensibly the soundtrack to an unreleased film of the same name. Predominantly instrumental, it failed to catch on in a big way at the time but can be seen as a precursor to New Age music. Hotter Than July (Number Three, 1980) returned to the street-dancing spirit of earlier periods (updated in contemporary idioms such as reggae and rap). It yielded "Master Blaster (Jammin')" (Number Five, 1980) and Wonder's plea for an international holiday in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., "Happy Birthday." In 1982 fans still waiting for an album of new material were placated with hit singles: "That Girl" (Number 4), "Do I Do" (Number 13), "Ebony and Ivory"(Number 1) &Number 8212; a duet with Paul McCartney &Number 8212; and the greatest-hits package Musiquarium (Number Four, 1982).

The '80s saw Wonder drastically curtailing studio work but continuing to tour (by the end of the decade becoming Motown's first artist to play the Eastern bloc). In 1982, with Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne, he played the "Peace Sunday" antinuclear rally at the Rose Bowl. In 1984 Detroit gave him the key to the city (he later considered a run for mayor of Detroit), and he played harmonica on Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues." Participating in the recording of USA for Africa's "We Are the World" in 1985, he won that year's Oscar for Best Song for "I Just Called to Say I Love You," (Number One, 1984) off The Woman in Red (Number Four, 1984) soundtrack. Dedicating the award to Nelson Mandela, he angered South African radio stations, which then banned all his music.

"Part-Time Lover" (Number One, 1985) became the first single simultaneously to top the pop, R&B, Adult Contemporary, and dance/disco charts; its parent album, In Square Circle, reached Number 5 and won the Grammy for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance. Singing with Elton John and Gladys Knight on Dionne Warwick's "That's What Friends Are For" (Number One, 1986) gained Wonder another hit, but, deemed relatively lightweight, neither Characters (Number 17, 1987) nor the soundtrack for Spike Lee's Jungle Fever (Number 24, 1991) were greeted with the almost universal acclaim his '70s work had generated.

In 1988 duets with Michael Jackson ("Get It") and Julio Iglesias ("My Love") kept Wonder's name before the public. And, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and earning a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, Stevie Wonder continued to enjoy an ultimately unassailable critical reputation even while his recording output was slender. In 1995, four years after receiving the Nelson Mandela Courage Award, he released Conversation Peace, an intended epic he'd been working on since the late '80s. Critics greeted the 74-minute long work with mixed reviews but were heartened by his return to recording after an eight-year absence. In 1999 Wonder performed at the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXIII and was among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. He also made a rare hour-long appearance on Donny & Marie, where he performed a number of his hits, mostly accompanying himself on keyboards.

Wonder's extensive humanitarian work has concentrated on AIDS awareness; antiapartheid efforts; crusades against drunk driving and drug abuse; and fund-raising for blind and retarded children and the homeless.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster) ]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.39830&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:38:16 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.39830 art.39830 The Jackson 5 art.39830 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.39830&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.39830&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2196&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Soul Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:05 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.2196 art.2196 Marvin Gaye art.2196 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2196&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2196&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss
Gaye started singing at age three in church and was soon playing the organ as well. After a stint in the Air Force, he returned to DC and started singing in streetcorner doo-wop groups, including a top local group, the Rainbows. He formed his own group, the Marquees, in 1957. Under the auspices of supporter Bo Diddley, they cut "Wyatt Earp" for the Okeh label. In 1958 Harvey Fuqua heard the group and enlisted it to become the latest version of his ever-changing backing ensemble, the Moonglows [see entry]. As such, Gaye was heard on "Mama Loocie" and other songs for the Chess label in 1959.

By 1961, the group was touring widely. Detroit impresario Berry Gordy Jr. heard the group and quickly signed Gaye to his fledgling Motown organization later that year. Soon after, Gaye married Gordy's sister Anna. Gaye's first duties with the label were as a session drummer (he played on all the early hits by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles).

Gaye got his first hit with his fourth release, "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," in 1962. Over the next 10 years, working with nearly every producer at Motown (including the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Smokey Robinson, and Norman Whitfield), he enjoyed over 20 big hits. Although he specialized in midtempo ballads, he also had dance hits: "Hitch Hike" (Number 30, 1963), the 12-bar blues "Can I Get a Witness" (Number 22, 1963), which became a virtual anthem among the British mods), and "Baby Don't You Do It" (Number 27, 1964). But by and large he favored romantic, sometimes sensual ballads. He felt that his desire to move into a more mainstream, sophisticated style was hindered by Motown's emphasis on hits. For a performer as unenthusiastic about some of his material as Gaye later claimed to be, he gave almost every song he ever recorded an inspired reading. His Top 10 hits included "Pride and Joy" (Number 10, 1963), "I'll Be Doggone" (Number Eight, 1965), "Ain't That Peculiar" (Number Eight, 1965), and "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You" (Number Six, 1965). Among his 39 Top 40 singles of the period were also such unlikely hits as "Try It Baby" (Number 15, 1964, with background vocals by the Temptations), "You're a Wonderful One" (Number 15, 1964, with backing vocals by the Supremes), "One More Heartache" (Number 29, 1966), "Chained" (Number 32, 1968), and "You" (Number 34, 1968).

Beginning in 1964 Gaye was teamed with Mary Wells [see entry] for a couple of hits, "Once Upon a Time" (Number 19, 1964) and "What's the Matter With You" (Number 17, 1964), and with Kim Weston for "It Takes Two" (Number 17, 1967). But his greatest duets were with Tammi Terrell: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Number 19, 1967), "Your Precious Love" (Number Five, 1967), "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (Number Eight, 1968), and "You're All I Need to Get By" (Number Seven, 1968), all penned and produced by Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. In a 1967 concert Terrell collapsed into Gaye's arms onstage, the first sign of the brain tumor that killed her three years later. Although, contrary to popular belief, Gaye and Terrell were not romantically involved (she was involved with Temptation David Ruffin), he was deeply affected by her illness and death. Shortly thereafter Gaye had his biggest solo hit of the '60s with a dejected, paranoid reading of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Number One, 1968), a song that had already been given a fiery treatment by another Motown act, Gladys Knight and the Pips.

The second, quite distinct phase of Gaye's career — and black popular music — began in 1971 with What's Going On. Along with Stevie Wonder, Gaye was one of the first Motown artists to gain complete artistic control of his records. What's Going On was a self-composed and produced song cycle that could rightfully be called a concept album. Berry Gordy Jr., who still maintains that he didn't understand the record, was reluctant to release it. Gaye was vindicated when the album hit Number 6 and spun off three Top 10 singles: "What's Going On" (Number Two, 1971), "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" (Number Nine, 1971), and "Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology)" (Number Four, 1971) were impassioned, timeless statements on Vietnam, civil rights, and the state of the world. "What's Going On" has been covered many times in the ensuing years, including a Top 20 version by Cyndi Lauper in 1986.

In 1972 Gaye scored the 20th Century–Fox film Trouble Man, and the dark, minimalist title track gave him yet another Top 10 hit (Number Seven, 1973). By 1973, he had shifted his attention to pure eroticism with Let's Get It On, the title track of which went to Number 1. His late-1973 album with Diana Ross, Diana and Marvin, produced three fairly successful singles: "You're a Special Part of Me" (Number 12, 1973), "Don't Knock My Love" (Number 46, 1974), and "My Mistake (Was to Love You)" (Number 19, 1974), but this project was one of many things Gaye did with Motown that he felt were forced upon him.

Gaye's rocky marriage of 14 years to Anna Gordy Gaye was the subject of Here, My Dear as the '70s closed, with Gaye still reeling from the divorce settlement. He filed for bankruptcy, and his ex-wife later considered suing him for invasion of privacy over the content of Here, My Dear. (The album had been precipitated by court hearings in 1976, when a judge instructed Gaye to make good on overdue alimony payments by recording an album and giving his wife $600,000 in royalties.) With Gordy he fathered a son, Marvin Gaye III. He married his second wife, Janice, in 1977 and that year had a Number 1 hit, "Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1." They had two children: Nona, who has since become a recording artist in her own right, and Frankie. Janice was Gaye's muse, but he was also obsessed with her, and the relationship was tumultuous.

Under pressure from the Internal Revenue Service, Gaye moved to Europe to record his 1981 release, In Our Lifetime, which concentrated on his philosophies of love, art, and death. The next year, he left Motown for Columbia. His first album for the label, Midnight Love, sold 2 million copies and included the hit "Sexual Healing," which won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. He sang live on the Grammy broadcast and, in 1983, in concert at Radio City Music Hall. During his Sexual Healing Tour, Gaye closed the show singing his hit in a silk robe, often stripping down to bikini underwear. Fan reaction was mixed. Also in 1983 he appeared in one of the more memorable segments of Motown's 25th-anniversary television special, obviously somewhat disoriented but riveting nonetheless. His a cappella version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed before the 1983 NBA All-Star game that year, became an instant bootlegged classic and is included on The Marvin Gaye Collection.

Gaye's comeback was one for the record books. But even with the recognition he longed for, Gaye was depressed, and his cocaine abuse was escalating, despite several attempts to clean up. He returned to the U.S. and moved into his parents' home — where he often quarreled with his father, with whom he'd been at odds since his teenage years. As Gaye later confessed to David Ritz, his internal life was marked by what Gaye viewed as an irreconcilable conflict between good (as represented by his strict religious upbringing) and evil (sex, drugs). In early 1984 Gaye reportedly threatened suicide several times and had become paranoid and irrational. Following a Sunday morning shouting match in his parents' home, Gaye's father shot him to death at point-blank range, he later claimed, in self-defense. Gaye's father was charged with and convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was found to have a brain tumor, and was given a six-year suspended prison sentence.

After his death Motown and Columbia collaborated to produce Dream of a Lifetime and Romantically Yours, both based on unfinished recordings from the Sexual Healing sessions; among the tracks on the first album were the ribald, "Savage in the Sack" and "Masochistic Beauty," and some questioned whether Gaye had intended to release them at all. Since then, Gaye's work has been repackaged in a steady stream of new compilations. In addition, his work has been the subject of several tribute projects. In 1987 Gaye was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001) ]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.942&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:51 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.942 art.942 The Temptations art.942 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.942&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.942&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4195&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:38:09 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.4195 art.4195 Diana Ross art.4195 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4195&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4195&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Lady Sings The Blues) and secured an Academy Award nomination. Not bad for an acting novice and singer on her own for the first time. Over the years, Diana Ross has continued to earn film roles, chart placements, and the undying respect and admiration of drag queens the world over. - Kali Holloway]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1524&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:13:22 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1524 art.1524 Smokey Robinson art.1524 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1524&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1524&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss
In addition, Smokey Robinson made major contributions to the success of Motown, a fact acknowledged by label founder Berry Gordy Jr., when he surprised the singer with a corporate–vice president title in 1961. In addition to providing the label with 27 Top 40 hits with the Miracles, he also wrote, cowrote, or produced some of Motown's biggest hits (the Temptations' "My Girl," Mary Wells' hits) as well as some of its lesser known but more adventurous releases (like the Four Tops' "Still Water [Love]," the Supremes' "Floy Joy").

Robinson founded the Miracles — all Detroit-born — while attending that city's Northern High School. As the Matadors, they played locally, usually performing Robinson originals. In 1957 they met Berry Gordy Jr. while they were auditioning for Jackie Wilson's manager. Gordy, who had written songs for Wilson, was impressed not only by their presentation but by Smokey's prodigious songwriting. "Got a Job," an answer to the Number One hit "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes, attracted local attention in 1958. In 1959 "Bad Girl" was distributed locally by Motown and nationally by Chicago's Chess Records. It hit Number 93 on the pop chart and convinced Berry Gordy Jr. to expand his fledgling record company into one that would produce and distribute its own product rather than creating records to lease out to others. In 1960 "Shop Around" established both the group and the company when it went to Number One R&B, Number Two pop. Its B side was the oft-covered soul ballad "Who's Lovin' You." This marked the beginning of Smokey and Gordy's relationship. According to one Motown history, when Gordy met Smokey, the young songwriter had hundreds of finished and unfinished song lyrics in notebooks, and it was Gordy who trained him to distinguish which were the best among them.

Throughout the '60s, Robinson wrote songs for and produced many other Motown acts, including the Marvelettes ("Don't Mess with Bill," "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game," and "My Baby Must Be a Magician"); Marvin Gaye ("I'll Be Doggone," with Warren Moore and Marvin Tarplin; "Ain't That Peculiar," with Moore); Mary Wells ("My Guy," "The One Who Really Loves You," and "You Beat Me to the Punch," with Ronald White); and the Temptations ("Get Ready," "Don't Look Back," and "My Girl," with White; "The Way You Do the Things You Do," with Bobby Rogers; "It's Growing," with Moore).

Though the Miracles made numerous uptempo singles such as "Mickey's Monkey" (Number Eight pop, Number Three R&B) in 1963 and "Going to a Go-Go" (Number 11 pop, Number Two R&B) in 1966, they are best known for their ballads, including "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (Number Eight pop, Number One R&B, 1963), "Ooo Baby Baby" (Number 16 pop, Number Four R&B, 1965), "The Tracks of My Tears" (Number 16 pop, Number Two R&B, 1965), "More Love" (Number 23 pop, Number Five R&B, 1967 — by which time they had become Smokey Robinson and the Miracles), "I Second That Emotion" (Number Four pop, Number One R&B, 1967), and "Baby, Baby Don't Cry" (Number Eight pop, Number Three R&B, 1969). Their last big hit together was the uptempo "The Tears of a Clown," a Number One hit on both the R&B and pop charts, and in England, in 1970. A great deal of their work in these years featured Marv Tarplin on guitar; he even appeared on a few album covers as if he were a Miracle.

In 1972 Robinson left the group to record on his own and to spend more time with his wife, Claudette (Bobby Rogers' sister, and a Miracle until 1964, though she continued to sing on the group's records). Claudette had toured with the group until a series of miscarriages forced her off the road in the mid-'60s. Robinson wrote "More Love" for Claudette after one of their babies was lost. Their first child, Berry William (named after Gordy), was born in 1968; their daughter Tamla (named for the label) followed. The couple divorced in 1985.

Robinson continued in his duties as a Motown vice president. He also worked frequently with Tarplin, who, after a few years with the Miracles, rejoined Robinson. A Quiet Storm (1975) is regarded as his best early solo album. (Its title was eventually used to name a smooth subgenre of modern R&B that developed in the 1990s.) While Smokey has always been a popular concert attraction, his record sales during the '70s fluctuated. It wasn't until 1979's "Cruisin'" (Number Four pop, Number Four R&B) that Robinson again enjoyed mass success. His Number One R&B single "Being With You" (Number Two pop) in 1981 continued his performing comeback, but in the ensuing years, he has placed just two more singles in the pop Top 10 (1987's "Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat") and one LP in the Top 40 (One Heartbeat, which is gold). Despite rampant defections from the label through the '70s and '80s, Robinson did not leave Motown until 1990 (he had resigned his vice presidency there in 1988). He returned to the label in the late '90s and released Intimate (Number 134 pop, Number 28 R&B, 1999). In his 1989 autobiography, Smokey: Inside My Life (cowritten with David Ritz), Robinson openly discussed his marital infidelities and a mid-'80s addiction to cocaine.

Among the artists who have covered Robinson's songs are the Beatles ("You've Really Got a Hold on Me"), the Rolling Stones ("Going to a Go-Go"), Terence Trent D'Arby ("Who's Lovin' You"), Johnny Rivers ("The Tracks of My Tears"), Blondie ("The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game"), Linda Ronstadt ("Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears"), Kim Carnes ("More Love"), Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), the English Beat ("The Tears of a Clown"), Rita Coolidge ("The Way You Do the Things You Do"), and Luther Vandross ("Since I Lost My Baby"). He has received the Grammys' Living Legend Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Miracles in 1987. In 1999 he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The following year he became the host of Intimate With Smokey Robinson, a two-hour program of love songs and call-ins on the L.A. oldies station Mega 92.3.

After Robinson made his final concert appearance with the group in July 1972, the Miracles continued with lead vocalist Billy Griffin. While they kept charting through 1978, only three singles had significant chart status: "Do It Baby" (Number 13 pop, Number 14 R&B) and "Don't Cha Love It" (Number Four R&B) in 1974, and their early-1976 Number One pop hit "Love Machine (Part 1)" (Number Five R&B). Billy Griffin was replaced by his brother Donald, but the Miracles disbanded in the late '70s. They have reappeared in concert and on records, sometimes including Claudette Robinson. White died of leukemia in 1995.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001) ]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2959&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:30 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.2959 art.2959 The Commodores art.2959 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2959&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2959&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Three's Company. - Rosemary Pepper]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1311&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:52 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1311 art.1311 The Four Tops art.1311 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1311&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1311&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3910&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:34 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.3910 art.3910 Gladys Knight art.3910 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3910&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3910&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.896&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:53 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.896 art.896 The Supremes art.896 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.896&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.896&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1282&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:09:51 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1282 art.1282 Martha and the Vandellas art.1282 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1282&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1282&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.38411&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:49:59 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.38411 art.38411 The Miracles art.38411 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.38411&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.38411&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4366&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:30 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.4366 art.4366 Mary Wells art.4366 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4366&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4366&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Dobie Gillis flowing out of your speakers. - Nick Dedina]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1195&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:42:54 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1195 art.1195 The Marvelettes art.1195 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1195&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1195&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3510&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:42:55 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.3510 art.3510 Eddie Kendricks art.3510 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3510&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3510&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14419&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:42:50 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.14419 art.14419 David Ruffin art.14419 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14419&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14419&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4267&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:06:41 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.4267 art.4267 Edwin Starr art.4267 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4267&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.4267&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1942&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:23:58 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1942 art.1942 Junior Walker art.1942 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1942&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1942&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1466&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Girl Groups Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:08 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1466 art.1466 The Chiffons art.1466 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1466&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1466&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.30107&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:40 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.30107 art.30107 Jimmy Ruffin art.30107 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.30107&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.30107&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1155&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:13:13 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1155 art.1155 The Originals art.1155 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1155&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1155&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3861&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:13:15 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.3861 art.3861 Brenda Holloway art.3861 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3861&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3861&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1502&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:49:13 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.1502 art.1502 The Contours art.1502 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1502&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.1502&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68928&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:09:56 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.68928 art.68928 Freda Payne art.68928 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68928&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.68928&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5994&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:47:23 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.5994 art.5994 Willie Hutch art.5994 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5994&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.5994&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss The Mack and Foxy Brown, in addition to penning songs for other artists and releasing his own excellent (if underappreciated) solo albums. The '80s saw him teaming up with Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jr., among others, and contributing music to the Berry Gordy-financed karate action-romance epic The Last Dragon. He kept on recording new material into the millennium, dropping his final album Sexalicious in 2002. Willie Hutch passed away in 2005, although his music lives on forever, both through his own recordings and through the many hip-hop producers who continue to mine his vast catalog. - Brolin Winning]]> http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62864&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:10:49 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.62864 art.62864 Tammi Terrell art.62864 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62864&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62864&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.41897&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Mon, 8 Jun 2009 07:28:15 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.41897 art.41897 Barrett Strong art.41897 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.41897&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.41897&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3256&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Soul Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:51:37 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.3256 art.3256 The Tymes art.3256 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3256&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.3256&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.66484&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:13:17 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.66484 art.66484 The Funk Brothers art.66484 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.66484&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.66484&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62863&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:38:30 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.62863 art.62863 Kim Weston art.62863 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62863&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.62863&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6395478&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:10:48 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.6395478 art.6395478 The Elgins art.6395478 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6395478&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6395478&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63166&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 7 Oct 2009 12:13:28 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.63166 art.63166 Shorty Long art.63166 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63166&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63166&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13212&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:23:52 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.13212 art.13212 Dennis Edwards art.13212 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13212&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.13212&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61990&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:06:34 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.61990 art.61990 The Monitors art.61990 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61990&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.61990&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52400&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Mon, 8 Jun 2009 07:28:09 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.52400 art.52400 Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers art.52400 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52400&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52400&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32151&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Contemporary R&B Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:08:26 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.32151 art.32151 Today art.32151 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32151&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.32151&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14466&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Soul Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:35 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.14466 art.14466 Laura Lee art.14466 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14466&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.14466&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52327&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Thu, 6 Aug 2009 10:39:18 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.52327 art.52327 Syreeta art.52327 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52327&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.52327&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2677&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:15:23 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.2677 art.2677 G.C. Cameron art.2677 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2677&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.2677&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63375&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:25:16 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.63375 art.63375 The Apollas art.63375 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63375&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.63375&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.55535&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:22:09 -0800 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.55535 art.55535 Jimmy James And The Vagabonds art.55535 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.55535&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.55535&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.7360479&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss Motown Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:25:44 -0700 Top Motown Artists on Rhapsody Online art.7360479 art.7360479 TED E. FAME art.7360479 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.7360479&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.7360479&variant=data&rws=%2Fsoul-r-b%2Fmotown%2Fartist-chart.rss