grouchygreg, Author at RareSoul.com

RUFUS THOMAS SIGNS WITH SUN RECORDS; LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR 20th CENTURY ROCK-N-ROLL STARS

Legendary singer Rufus Thomas signed with Sam Phillips' emerging Sun Records today (March 12, 1953). Just a few days earlier, on March 8, Rufus Thomas entered the studio and recorded…

grouchygreg 03/12/2014

RareSoul Pix

EXCLUSIVE: MARCH 11, 1955 FBI REPORT ON PAUL ROBESON

The United States federal government kept surveillance on legendary civil rights champion/ singer Paul Robeson, for over 30 years. FBI documents reveal that the feds used wiretapping's, bugged Robeson's house and intercepted his…

grouchygreg 03/11/2014

Gospsoul

GOSPSOUL: ARETHA FRANKLIN’S FATHER OPENS NEW BETHEL CHURCH

Aretha Franklin's father Reverend C.L. Franklin opened the New Bethel Baptist Church today (March 10, 1963) in Detroit. The original New Bethel Baptist Church was located on Hastings Street, but the…

grouchygreg 03/10/2014

Soul Music

RONALD ISLEY BEGINS TAX EVASION TRIAL

The trial of Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers was scheduled for today (March 8, 2005). The 63-year-old singer was accused of avoiding paying millions in taxes, from the years 1976-1996.…

grouchygreg 03/08/2014

Wax Facts

BLACK DANCE LEGEND ALVIN AILEY BUSTED FOR HARASSMENT, TRESPASSING

Legendary choreographer/dance instructor Alvin Ailey was arrested for assault today (March 8, 1980). The instructor, who work with famous singers like Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey and others, was…

grouchygreg 03/08/2014