|
Soul music developed from traditional gospel hymns of African Americans, with the addition of more harmonies and rhythm. Artists in the genre learnt their singingin skills from church. Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding were among the genre's first artists in the late 1950s and their music inspired and influenced later artists.
In southern states during the 1960s the soul genre continued to develop with Brooker T and the MGs earning fame. Daughter to a well-known Baptist preacher and student to gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin went on to be identified as the "queen of soul" with her gospel-inspired melodies.
Detroit's Motown Records introduced various midwestern soul artists later in the decade, such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and Smokey Robinson. Marvin Gage and the Jackson Five were also of note during this time. James Brown became the "godfather of soul" with funk hits and the Say It Lord, I'm Black and I'm Proud civil rights anthem. The funk continued with Sly and the Family Stone and the disco of the 1970's.
|