Posted inBirthday Music Facts

Philly Falsetto: Happy Birthday To The Delfonics’ William “Poogie” Hart

The Delfonics
The Delfonics
The Delfonic’s William Hart was born today (January 17, 1945).

With his brother Wilbert Hart and original member Randy Cain, the group took the sound of Philadelphia international behind a string of hits like “La, La Means I Love You,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” and others.

The Delfonics formed around 1964, at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. They were initially a five-man group known as The Orphonics, founded by brothers William Hart (17) and Wilbert Hart (15).

02/11/2014
Posted inBirthday Music Facts Soul Music

The Hit Man: Eddie Kendricks

By Gentle Jones

Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks (Edward James Kendrick) was born today (December 17, 1939) in Union Springs, Alabama to Johnny and Lee Bell Kendrick.

Kendricks moved to Detroit at 18 and started a singing group The Primes which performed Doo-Wop and also capably covered Mills Brothers tunes.

Eventually Eddie rose to fame singing first tenor for The Temptations, also often singing with a distinctive falsetto.

02/10/2014
Posted inBirthday Music Facts Soul Music

Our Ladies of Soul: Wanda Hutchinson & The Emotions

The Emotions
The Emotions

The Emotions’ Wanda Hutchinson was born today (December 17, 1951). The group consisted of Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson, and Theresa Davis.

“Our style is mostly doing harmony. It’s more of a ‘class’ thing,” comments Wanda. “And we use more ‘variety’ in singing.” She then pauses, throwing twinkling glances at her sister, Sheila, and cousin, Theresa. “Daddy [Joseph Hutchinson] doesn’t want us to be established as a certain kind of group that sings a ‘certain’ kind of thing.”

02/10/2014
Posted inBirthday Music Facts Doo-Wop

Alan Freed: Hail, Hail, Mr. Rock & Roll

Alan Freed
Alan Freed

By John Jackson

Alan Freed was born Albert James Freed today (December 15, 1921,) near Johnstown, PA. In 1933 the Freed family moved to Salem, Ohio. In high school, Freed formed a band know as The Sultans of Swing, in which he played trombone. In 1942, Freed landed his first broadcasting job, at WKST (New Castle, PA). He took a sportscasting position at WKBN (Youngstown, OH) the following year.

02/10/2014