Posted inSoul Music

Motown VP Iris Gordy; R&B Foundation’s Damon Williams Comment On Teena Marie’s Passing

Teena Marie
Teena Marie

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation announced today that “we are saddened by loss of our friend and R&B Legend Teena Marie.”

A recipient of the R&B Foundation’s 2008 Pioneer Award, Teena considered the acknowledgment to be one of the greatest honors of her illustrious career.

Upon accepting her award in 2008, a tearful Marie said, “Everything I ever asked God to give me, he gave me, and I have to give him the glory. I asked my heavenly father to take my poetry and let me set it to music, and he did.”

A statement from Damon Williams, Chairman of the R&B Foundation reads: “Teena was a true Pioneer of R&B music and a Musical Bridge Builder. She brought people from all walks of life together under the banner of soulful, heartfelt music.

12/29/2010
Posted inDoo-Wop

Billy Ward & The Dominoes Sign With Liberty Records

Billy Ward & The Dominoes
Billy Ward & The Dominoes

Billy Ward and The Dominoes signed an exclusive recording contract with Liberty Records it was announced in trade publications today (December 29th, 1956).

 

According to the announcement Billy Ward was signed to a three-year deal with Liberty.

Billy Ward had an interesting deal with liberty in which he was allowed to own the masters that he recorded after April 15, 1958.

12/29/2010
Posted inSoul Music

Philadelphia International Records Announces Passing Of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Member Bernie Wilson

The Blue Notes
The Blue Notes

Bernie Wilson, baritone vocalist in the classic lineup of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, died early yesterday from undisclosed medical complications at Kresson View Center in Voorhees, NJ, Philadelphia International Records has announced.

Wilson joined Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Lawrence Brown and Lloyd Parks in the world-renowned lineup that was signed to Philadelphia International Records in 1972, the beginning of a four-year string of hits for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes that were integral in defining the Sound of Philadelphia.

12/27/2010
Posted inRhythm&Blues

Rick James On Meeting Teena Marie; Recording “Fire and Desire”

Rick James and Teena Marie
Rick James and Teena Marie

While walking through Motown one day I heard this beautiful voice. I looked in the office where it was coming from and sitting at the piano singing was this little white chick named Teena Marie.

She was shy, even bashful as she introduced herself to me. I asked her what she was doing there and she said she was signed to the company. We talked a little longer than I left.

One day I got a call from her manager Winnie Jones, who asked if I wanted to produce Teena. I said “send me some tapes” so I can hear some more of her voice. After I heard her I was geeked to produce for her… She had spent close to $400,000 recording and still no album.

After I listened to Teena’s voice carefully, writing for her was easy. The songs just seemed to come. “Déjà Vu,” a slow ballad about reincarnation, “Don’t Look Back,” a Temptation’s remake, “Turning Me On,” etc.

12/27/2010