When all-star fashion, excellent music, and a cultural renaissance come together, you

have the music of 1970’s. The long results of the fights from the 1960’s was made manifest
during the time of the 70’s. Power ballads from Roberta Flack and universally powerful
music from Stevie Wonder allowed people to witness black excellence. By the mid to
late 1970’s, disco was prominent. Disco helped to bring people together and outline a
sense of freedom. Not to mention that R&B ‘s long cousin hip hop would be born in the
early 1970’s too. Music, on many occasions, are reflections of the time that we live in.
The debates about politics, the rise of women in seats of power, the rise of black people
in positions of authority, and the international growth of celebrity culture were the
realities of that time period. Nothing would be the same again after the 1970’s indeed.
 The Table of
Contents
1. Early 1970’s Music

2. The Influence of Disco

She is the gorgeous Tina and Funk
Turner, and this image was
taken in 1970. Tina Turner
has been an icon of music for 3. Powerful Groups and
over 60 years.
Artists

4. Fashion and Music

5. The Rise of
Contemporary R&B

6. A New Artform Grows

This decade of the '70s saw an explosion of culture and music. From The Supremes' song of Stoned Love to disco,
there can never be a decade like that one. The 1970's was a pivotal time in world history. It was the time of the
end of the postwar economic boom and the growth of stagflation. Some of the political leaders promoted the
neoliberal economic theory instead of Keynesian economics. An increase of the progressive movements of the
1960's started to grow all over the world. By the end of the decade, the conservative backlash was in full effect from
America with Reagan and in the UK with Thatcher (who embraced a radical individualism). The 1970's saw the
role of women increase as many women became heads of state, heads of companies, and leading activists. The
1970's and R&B go hand in hand. The 1970's was filled with funk, soul, and unapologetic black self-expression.
While the 1960's was the start of many social and cultural changes in the world, the 1970's was the first generation
where the manifestation of those changes took place in their full fruits.

The early 1970's saw the continued power of the legends of the 1960's. Unfortunately, the 1970's saw the tragic
passing away of rock stars like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison. Later, the 1970's saw new legends
who rose up to formulate their own legacies. Disco, Soul Train, and Parliament Funkadelic were on the scene. To
this very day, tons of human beings love the legacy of Soul Train. The show of Soul Train made such an impact
on black culture that documentaries, TV shows, and other award shows to this day pay tribute to Soul Train.
Afros were prominently displayed by men and women like Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Tamara Dobson, and Richard
Roundtree. Geniuses like Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Rufus & Chaka Klan, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer,
and other human beings expanded their talents to describe love, romance, justice, passion for life, and other themes
of society. It was a time of political music from Marvin Gaye's song, "What's Going On." The 1970's R&B evolved
to be more diverse. It expanded the boundaries of what topics were being discussed. By the end of the 1970's, there
was the growth of contemporary R&B with legends like Shalamar, Michael Jackson, Prince, Luther Vandross, the
Pointer Sisters, etc. who would continue to explode in the future decade of the 1980's. I wasn't born during the
70s, but I will forever appreciate its cultural greatness.

Early 1970's music

Early 1970's R&B music during its beginning had an influence from the late 1960's. By the end of the early 1970's,
disco-like music was starting to erupt. To understand this period, you must look at things chronologically. On
January 14, 1970, Diana Ross and the Supremes performed for the last time together at the Frontier Hotel in Las
Vegas. Diana Ross soon expanded her solo career as a singer and actress. Diana Ross wanted to show her wings.
Mary Wilson is a great entertainer in her own right too. Miles Davis made an album in 1970 called Circle in the
Round. 1970 was also a sad year for music as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin passed away at age 27 in 1970. Marvin
Gaye with his album of That's the Way Love It had classic music along with Aretha Franklin's This Girl's In Love
with You. Funkadelic is group with George Clinton that showed proto funk music during 1970. The Temptations'
Psychedelic Shack was released in 1970. The Supremes showed music all over the early 1970's. Their album of
Right On was released in 1970. Up the Ladder to the Roof was a classic Supremes song featuring Jean Terrell,
Mary Wilson, and Cindy Birdsong. Jean Terrell is a great vocalist. Many of the songs from the Supremes (from
the Right On album) were recorded in mid-1969. McLemore Avenue was an album made by Booker T. & the
M.G.s in 1970. Ray Charles, the 5th Dimension, James Brown, and the Jackson 5 exploded in 1970. The Jackson 5
was led by a then young Michael Jackson who would go on to be one of the greatest entertainers in human history.
ABC was a childhood anthem of the Jackson 5. The Jackson family started in the Midwest at Gary, Indiana. Joe
and Catherine Jackson had a family gifted in playing instruments, singing, and dancing. Like an assembly line, the
daughters and sons of the Jackson worked long hours in perfecting their craft. When opportunities came, the
Jackson Five, Rebbie Jackson, Janet Jackson, and other members of the family greatly excelled in giving
entertainment to their audiences worldwide.

Diana Ross made her solo album called Diana Ross in the same year too. Diana Ross is just Dianna Ross being
one of the greatest artists of all time. It is no secret that Barry Gordy and Diana Ross worked together in increasing
Diana’s career. They even had a child together named Rhonda Ross Kendrick (b. August 14, 1971). 1970 saw great
music from Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, The Four Tops, Sly and the Family Stone, Isaac Hayes,
and the Chi-Lites. 1971 saw more conscious music in the R&B world. The Soul to Soul concert took place in Accra,
Ghana headlined by Wilson Pickett. The 5th Dimension released more music. Earth, Wind, and Fire released their
album in 1971. It was their first debut album. Miles Davis, The Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder continued to make
classic music along with the Temptations. One of the great albums of May 21, 1971 was Marvin Gaye's What's
Going On. It was an album that was released after the death of Tammi Terrell. Marvin Gaye never really gotten
over the passing of her best friend Tammi Terrell. That is why Marvin Gaye poured out his heart and soul to talk
about ecology, racism, the Vietnam War, romance, and urban conditions. What’s Going On was one of his best
work. Berry Gordy was hesitant on releasing the album at first, because he didn't want a political album from
Motown. Yet, Marvin Gaye persisted, and Gaye was right that artists have every right to inspire the consciousness
of humanity. Gaye’s brother returned from service in the Vietnam War and learned about the treatment of
Vietnam War veterans. The events of the Watts rebellion in 1965 motivated him also to make his political points
known. The album was his eleventh studio album and one of the greatest albums in all of the history of humanity.

Curtis Mayfield (who worked in disco and other sounds), Ike and Tina Turner, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, The
Stylistics, the Jackson 5, and other artists dominated music. 1972 saw international music grow. Hugh Maskela had
his album. Michael Jackson made his solo album of Got to Be There. Aretha Franklin music of Young Black and
Gifted was a classic. Al Green, Quincy Jones, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and other artists shown the world
that R&B is here to stay. Stevie Wonder's Music of My Mind in 1972 was one of the greatest albums of all time.
Stevie presented an acceleration of artistic growth by the 1970’s. The Chi-Lites continued to amaze crowds with
their album of A Lonely Man. Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway had an amazing duet album. Donny
Hathaway was one of the greatest songwriters in history. The Isley Brothes made a huge comeback. Bobby
Womack and Funkadelic made soulful music. The Supremes and The Delfonics had songs that stirred up the
human soul. Bill Withers inspired people. Music from Curtis Mayfield, Ella Fitzgerald, Gil Scott Heron, Jimi
Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, and Diana's Ross Lady Sings the Blues Soundtrack were filled with an all-star array of

talent.

In 1973, rumbles of disco grew. Times have changed. The 1970's established itself
culturally. James Brown made the soundtrack of Black Caesar in 1973. Herbie
Hancock made an album. Herbie Hancock was a master of jazz music. Gladys
Knight and the Pips, Sylvester, Michael Jackson, Al Green, The Spinners, Earth
Wind, and Fire, and other groups improved upon their sounds. Diana Ross and
Aretha Franklin talked about more topics relevant to grown folks. Rufus was
growing with Chaka Khan being a leading performer of the group. Labelle, Roberta
Flack and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions were just all-star creativity. Innervisions
evolved from ballads to more mature, conscious subjects. Music like Higher
Ground, Living for the City, Don’t You Worry ‘about a Thing, and He’s Misstra
Chaka Khan is all Chicago.
Know-It-All (in criticizing then President Richard Nixon) stand out to this very day She was once a Black
in late 2020. Stevie Wonder wanted the word to talk about drug abuse, inequality, Panther Party member in
Chicago. Her talent has
and systemic racism so change can come. He or Stevie Wonder won many awards stretched decades from
for Innervisions. Marvin Gaye wanted to touch on more romantic subjects with his working with Rufus and to
album Let's Get It On. The Jackson 5, the Ch-Lites, Ike and Tina Turner, Kool and make her own solo career.
During the 1970’s, she
the Gang, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Quincy Jones were popular. The O'Jays established herself as one
were on the scene in 1973. 1974 saw the growth of disco and powerful ballads come of the greats. Her voice, her
swag, and her beauty are
alive from Bobby Womack and other people. Donna Summer made her album Lady all appreciated.
of the Night in 1974. She would be the Queen of Disco. Aretha Franklin continued
strong. Smokey Robinson's comeback album in 1974 was great. The Delfonics,
Earth, Wind, and Fire were greatly respected. New groups like the Ohio Players, and
others were shown. Ashford and Simpson promoted love and music in their album.
Minnie Ripteron released Perfect Angel with some of the greatest sensitive voices of
all time. Parliament, the Commodores, Sly and the family Stone, and Isaac Hayes
were still on the scene. Tina Turner, the Isley Brothers, and the Jackson 5 rose to the
occasion. By this time, the Jackson 5 popularized the robot dance routine. Disco saw
its growth with Kool and the Gang and other people. By the end of 1974, the Ohio
The soundtrack of many
Players, Blue Magic, Rufus, and other bands like the Spinners dominated the music people relates to the music
industry. The 1970’s band of the Chi-Lites is one of the O’Jays. Their music
can be found in cookouts,
of the greatest R&B groups in history. Its
graduation ceremonies,
harmonies and lyrics always praise love parties, and other events.
and romance. They are based in With them, folks can groove
Chicago. By the 1970’s, they had hits to their music, dance, and
like Have You Seen Her and Oh Girl. have fun.
Their original singers were Robert
Lester, Eugene Record, Creadel Jones,
Clarence Johnson, Burt Bowen, Eddie
Reed, and Marshall Thompson.
The picture on the far right is the late great Sister Donna Summer. As Patti Labelle
has said, she has one of the most underrated singing voices of all time. She was the
Queen of Disco, and she could sing anything. Before Whitney Houston, there was
Donna Summer. Donna Summer had one of the greatest singing voices of all time.

The influence of disco and funk

Disco and funk are cousins. They are so powerful musical genres that they impact modern day music even in 2020.
Both forms of music existed out of the lives of the oppressed in order to make humanity more inclusive. Today,
more people from across backgrounds have a deeper appreciation for disco and funk. First, I will mention facts
on disco and then funk. Disco has its predecessors. Disco music relates to music on the dance floor in clubs. Swing
music had the first discotheques. There are uptempo rhythm and blues being popular in American clubs, northern
soul, and glam rock of the UK. In October 1959 the owner of the Scotch Club in Aachen, West Germany chose
to install a record player for the opening night instead of hiring a live band. The patrons were unimpressed until
a young reporter, who happened to be covering the opening of the club, impulsively took control of the record
player and introduced the records that he chose to play. Klaus Quirini later claimed to thus have been the world's
first nightclub DJ. Modern disco is claimed to have been found in the private dance parties in NYC by DJ David
Mancuso's home at the Loft. He made his first major party at his Manhattan home on Valentine's Day 1970.
Mancuso made regular parties into the 1990's. He played soul, rhythmic and impart music.
Disco came about after the start of the counterculture of the 1960's. The hippie movement was starting to fade.
Economic prosperity declined. Rising unemployment, inflation, and other issues grew. The rightwing backlash
developed. Some used disco to escape from the problems of everyday society. Black Americans have a huge role to
play in disco. Also, it is no secret that the LGBTQIAP+ community was involved in disco as DJs and artists plus
participants. The common denominator was the music. During the 1960s, when the discotheque culture from
Europe became popular in the United States, several music genres with dance-able rhythms rose to popularity and
evolved into different sub-genres: rhythm and blues (originated in the 1940s), soul (late 1950s and 1960s), funk
(mid-1960s) and go-go (mid-1960s and 1970s; more than "disco", the word "go-go" originally indicated a music
club). Go-Go was birthed in Washington, D.C. Those genres, especially mainly African American ones, would
influence much of early disco music. Motown had many hits with early disco elements by acts like the Supremes
(for instance "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1966), Stevie Wonder (for instance "Superstition" in 1972), The
Jackson 5, and Eddie Kendricks ("Keep on Truckin'" in 1973). In the mid-1960s and early 1970s, Philadelphia soul
and New York soul developed as sub-genres that also had lavish percussion, lush string orchestra arrangements
and expensive record production processes. Psychedelic soul tracks developed disco. Some believe that the theme
from Shalt movie in 1971 was an early disco song. Producers Gamble and Huff from Philadelphia used baselines
that influence proto-disco records like Love Train by the O'Jays, the Love I Lost by Harold Melvin and the Blue
Notes, etc. Norman Whitfield and other producers used disco in many creative ways. He was involved in the
psychedelic soul track of Papa Was a Rollin' Stone.

Disco reached mainstream success by 1974. Songs like The Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat in 1974 was a
number one single and a million seller. Kung Fu Fighter sold a lot. By 1975, the rise of artists like Gloria Gaynor
with her song I Will Survive captured the political goals of disco music.

Van McCoy's 1975 song of The Hustle was popular. One innovative group was KC and the Sunshine Band with
many hits from 1975 to 1977 like Get Down Tonight, Keep it Comin' Love, etc. Italian composer Giorgio Moroder
was a well-known disco advocate. The greatest vocalist of disco was Donna Summer. She was born in the area of
Massachusetts, came to Germany to be in theater, and came back to the states to continue to display disco sounds.
Her song Love to Love You Baby in 1975 was controversial at the time. She made other songs like Could it Be
Magic, I Feel Love, etc. During 1969, Donna Summer made the song Black Power. She was known as Donna
Gaines at the time.

By 1975-1979, American disco was at its peak before the rightwing backlash, and the movie Saturday Night Fever
popularized the genre more. The Bee Gees had many disco hits so popular that people from across backgrounds
respected them. In 1978, Donna Summer's multi-million selling vinyl single disco version of "MacArthur Park"
was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks and was nominated for the Grammy Award for
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The recording, which was included as part of the "MacArthur Park Suite"
on her double live album Live and More, was eight minutes and 40 seconds long on the album. The shorter seven-
inch vinyl single version of MacArthur Park was Summer's first single to reach number one on the Hot 100; it
does not include the balladic second movement of the song, however. Donna Summer was the Whitney Houston
of her time. Summer was the Queen of Disco. Her songs like Last Dance, Dim All the Lights, On the Radio, etc.
were successful. Again, Donna Summer was one of the greatest singers of all time period. The band of Chic was
decades ahead of its time. It had the guitarist Nile Rodgers. Their songs of Le Freak, Everybody Dance in 1979,
and other songs were timeless. Their rhythm, their sounds, and their style captivated human beings
internationally. Sylvester was the famous black LBGTQ+ disco artist with songs like You Make Me Feel (Mighty
Real). It is said that his singing style influenced Prince. Disco was very diverse from the Village People to the
Jacksons. Michael Jackson and his brothers made songs showing disco like Blame it on the Boogie (1978), Shake
Your Body (Down to the Ground) (1979), Lovely One (1980), and Can You Feel It (1981).

Artists like Cheryl Lynn, Evelyn Champagne King, Alicia Bridges, Anita Ward, and other legends have shown
excellent disco music. Clubs like Studio 54 in NYC had disco music constantly. Studio 54 was where many
celebrities came to party. Folks who came were diverse like Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Bianca Jagger, Mick Jagger,
Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Cher, Brooke Shields, Andy Warhol, Tina Turner, Sylvester Stallone, Olivia
Newton-John, Rod Stewart, Shirley MacLaine, Bella Abzug, Allen Carr, Calvin Klein, Blondie, Truman Capote,
Paloma Picasso, Jerry Hall, Debbie Harry, Joe Namath, Shirley Bassey, Sterling St. Jacques, Barbara Streisand, Patti
Smith, Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Steven Stills, Beverly Johnson, Alana Hamilton, Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx,
Elton John, Fleur Thiemeyer, Elizabeth Taylor, and so many other human beings. We all know what happened
at Studio 54. There was drug usage of cocaine, etc. The backlash against disco came, because some viewed disco as
consumerist, overproduced, and escapist. Some even criticized Rod Stewart and David Bowie as sellouts for using
disco elements in their music. By the end of the 1970's, punk grew. Many far right people hated disco because of
racist and other reasons.

The Disco Sucks movement came into full force when haters of disco destroyed records at Comiskey Park in
Chicago on July 12, 1979. This was Disco Demolition Night. In January 1979, rock critic Robert Christgau argued
that homophobia, and most likely racism, were reasons behind the movement, a conclusion seconded by John
Rockwell. Craig Werner said the same thing. You don't have to quote me. Legs McNeil or the founder of the
fanzine Punk admitted that he wanted disco to end because it appealed to black people and others. By the end of
1979, disco sales dropped heavily. Country music grew in the early 1980's. Yet, disco would not die. Disco made
many songs in the 1980's and had a huge comeback by the 1990's that continues to this day. The big irony is that
disco influenced the development of house music. Disco songs like Irene Cara' Flashdance...What a Felling and
Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Startin's Somethin were on the charts. The 1980's house music and Chicago house,
in particular, grew up to be worldwide popular. Electronic dance music would be a descendant of disco
music. This was part of a wave of 1970s nostalgia that was taking place in popular culture at the time of the 1990's.
Examples of songs during this time that were influenced by disco included Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart"
(1990), U2's "Lemon" (1993), Blur's "Girls & Boys" (1994) & "Entertain Me" (1995), Pulp's "Disco 2000" (1995), and
Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat" (1999), while films such as Boogie Nights (1997) and The Last Days of Disco (1998)
featured primarily disco soundtracks. From Robbie Williams, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Diana Ross
(her songs I'm Coming Out, Upside Down, etc. were disco records) and other artists, disco influenced people from
across generations. Disco helped to develop the DJ culture. It helped music to grow its creativity and made people
more inclusive of others. Even early hip hop had disco sounds like Good Times and Rapper's Delight. Disco used
pianos, electric guitars, horns, the reflective light disco-ball, and lighted dance floors.

Funk came from African Americans during the mid-1960's. It was a new form of music that mixed soul music,
jazz, and rhythm and blues. It used melody and cord progressives. It also had a drummer, electric bassist, and a
rhythmic groove. Funk bands include Rufus, The Meters, Parliament Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone, etc.
George Clinton made many sounds. The descendants of funk relate to many forms of dance music, electric music,
funk metal, G-funk, Timba, etc. Funk records have been sampled by hip hop artists for decades. As late as the
1950s and early 1960s, when "funk" and "funky" were used increasingly in the context of jazz music, the terms still
were considered indelicate and inappropriate for use in polite company. According to one source, New Orleans-
born drummer Earl Palmer "was the first to use the word 'funky' to explain to other musicians that their music
should be made more syncopated and danceable." Funk uses dance music. It uses the beat and notes to get the
best effect. A great deal of funk is rhythmically based on a two-celled onbeat/offbeat structure, which originated
in sub-Saharan African music traditions. New Orleans appropriated the bifurcated structure from the Afro-Cuban
mambo and conga in the late 1940s and made it its own.
Teddy Pendergrass (1950-2010) was one of the
greatest singers of all time. During the 1970’s, he has
shown disco, R&B, soul, and the new genre of the
quiet storm. He could sing high and low. His fans
are global. Philadelphia was the place of his birth. He
established his solo career after being part of Harold
Melvin & The Blue Notes. His songs like And If I
Had, Close the Door, When Somebody Loves You
Back, and It Don’t Hurt Now are classics. His
albums were found all over the place from the late
1970’s and early 1980’s. After the 1982 car crash, he
became more spiritual and shown uplifting,
inspirational music as part of his long legacy. He
loved his wife and his children.
By the 1970's, many funk records were about the changes in society. By that time, society moved from an industrial
working-class economy to an information economy that harmed many working -class black people. Funk songs
by The Ohio Players, Earth, Wind & Fire, and James Brown raised issues faced by lower-income Blacks in their
song lyrics, such as poor "economic conditions and themes of poor inner-city life in the black communities." The
Funkadelic song "One Nation Under A Groove" (1978) is about the challenges that Blacks overcame during the
1960s civil rights movement, and it includes an exhortation for black people in the 1970s to capitalize on the new
"social and political opportunities" that had become available in the 1970s. The Isley Brothers song "Fight the
Power" (1975) has a political message. Parliament's song "Chocolate City" (1975) metaphorically refers to
Washington D.C. and other US cities that have a mainly Black population, and it draws attention to the potential
power that Black voters wield and suggests that a Black President be considered in the future. Political funk songs
were found in Blaxploitation films. Many of these films shown black men and black women as fighting for their
own dignity and respect. The political themes of funk songs and the aiming of the messages to a Black audience
echoed the new image of Blacks that was created in Blaxploitation films, which depicted "African-American men
and women standing their ground and fighting for what was right." James Brown said that Little Richard's 1950's
R&B road band from New Orleans used the funk first into the rhythm of rock and roll. James Brown was an early
godfather of funk with songs like Out of Sight, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, and I Got You (I Feel Good).

From the late 1960's to the 1970's, funk music developed into its modern formation. There was Jimmy McGriff,
Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, New Orleans' artists, and the Isley Brothers. Their producer, Norman
Whitfield, became an innovator in the field of psychedelic soul, creating hits with a newer, funkier sound for many
Motown acts, including "War" by Edwin Starr, "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Undisputed Truth and "Papa
Was A Rollin' Stone" by the Temptations. Motown producers Frank Wilson ("Keep On Truckin'") and Hal Davis
("Dancing Machine") followed suit. Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye also adopted funk beats for some of their
biggest hits in the 1970s, such as "Superstition" and "You Haven't Done Nothin'", and "I Want You" and "Got To
Give It Up", respectively. Parliament Funkadelic used a new funk sound influenced by jazz and psychedelic rock.
George Clinton was the head who used costumes, sounds, and fun in their music.
Funk records had Barry White, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Commodores, and other people. Funk exists now. Many
women were involved in funk like Labelle, Brides of Funkestein, Klymaxx, Mother's Finest, Lyn Collins, Betty
Davis, and Teena Marie. Betty Mabry Davis was an unsung artist whose words and sounds were underrated.
Today, more people appreciate her contributions to funk music. Betty Davis showed her free speech. She was once
married to the jazz artist Miles Davis. She was a friend to late Jimi Hendrix. She was so ahead of her time, that she
made music that would make Millie Jackson blush. Millie Jackson was ahead of her time too. Betty Davis made
it possible for other women artists to express themselves like Missy Elliot, Rihanna, Fefe Dobson, and Erykah
Badu. Funk today has been shown in clubs, theaters, and computers all the time. Its music has influenced hip hop,
rock, R&B, dance, punk, and other genres.

Powerful groups and artists

One large part of the 1970's at it relates to R&B music is Soul Train. Soul Train exploded opportunities for artists,
especially black artists, to express their talents globally. It came after the show SOUL!, which had political
commentary along with inspiring music. Soul Train was founded by Don Cornelius who moved his facilities from
Chicago to Los Angeles. The story of Don Cornelius (1936-2012) and Soul Train has been presented by the BET
series called American Soul. Dancers from every walk of life (and of every color) participated in the Soul Train
atmosphere. Contests, live performances, and the soul train dance line encompass the show. Also, stars showed
up to display not only classic music, but a great deal of soul. Many of the dancers on Soul Train were Damita Jo
Freeman, Darnell Williams, Rerun, Rosie Perez, Cheryl Song, Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel, etc. Shalamar was a
group that got its start from Soul Train. One big irony about Cornelius is that he had criticisms of rap (over its
content in claiming that it didn't reflect positively on African American culture. He even said that the music of
Public Enemy scared him when P.E. was all about empowerment. Yet, Cornelius love of music, courage, and
contributions to black culture are always cherished by me), but he shown rap artists on the show in order to appeal
to younger demographics. Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson authored Soul Train: The Music, Dance, and Style of
a Generation in 2013. This book was the subject of a VH1 documentary about Soul Train that I watched before.
It was a great documentary. Cornelius was from an older generation, and many people of the old school didn't
understand the complex nature of hip hop music. The Soul Train Scramble Board is one of my favorite parts of
the show. The answer to the puzzle involved a prominent person of African American history. Soul Train lasted
from October 2, 1971 to March 27, 2006 on TV.

The Soul Train music awards continue to this very day. It started in 1987 to celebrate the top performers and
songs in R&B, soul, hip hop, and gospel music. By 1995, Soul started the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards to
celebrate women R&B artists. It was ended by 2006. Soul Train featured funk, jazz, disco, hip hop, gospel, dance,
pop, and other forms of music too. The 1970's was the time of grassroots groups and powerful artists. The Staple
Singers was a dynamic group of the 1970's. Their roots have been from gospel. That is why it is important to cite
the fact that some of the greatest artists in history (like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin) came right out of
the church. Also, the Staple Singers presented soul and R&B songs. They came from Mississippi and moved into
Chicago. Their singers are Roebuck Staples, Cloetha Staples, Mavis Staples, Pervis Staples, and Yvonne Staples.
They topped the charts with songs like Respect Yourself, I'll Take You There in 1972, If You're Ready (Come go
With Me), etc. Their music found in Let's Go It Again and The Weight represent their classic style. Always
involved in civil rights, they expressed a great deal of social consciousness in desiring to see black people free from
oppression.

A lot of people didn't know that R&B legend Stephanie Mills dated Michael Jackson
during the 1970's. Mills also worked in theater too.

Mavis Staples is a long-time civil rights activist who has continued the family tradition of outlining musical
excellence to this very day in 2020. Other unsung groups of the 1970's were Donny Hathaway, the De Barge
family, Minnie Riperton, Melba Moore, Florence Ballard, Bootsy Collins, Klymazx, Zapp, Roe Royce, Bar-Keys,
Teddy Pendergrass, Tammi Terrell, Heatwave, George Clinton, Angela Winbush, the O'Jays, Deniece Williams,
The Spinners, the Ohio Players, Evelyn Champagne King, the Sylvers, Atlantic Starr, Millie Jackson, Con Funk
Shun, and other artists. Whether you have Isaac Hayes giving ballads about life in the urban areas or Midnight
Star showing innovative songs, the 1970's saw a golden age of great R&B music. The sensitive voices of the
Delfonics and the powerful voices of the Three Degrees certainly made people dance the world over. The group
of the Three Degrees is based in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia northern soul sound. Martha Wash was ahead
of her time with artistry too. Yarbrough and Peoples shined their light as well. Here are some lyrics of Melba
Moore's song This is It from 1976:

"This is it

This time I know it’s the real thing

And I can’t explain what I’m feeling Minnie Riperton (1947-1979)

I'm lost for words

I'm in a daze

Stumped and amazed

By your lovin' ways

This is it

This time i know it’s the real thing

And I can’t explain what I’m feeling

I'm lost for words

I'm in a daze
There is certainly no other singer like her. She
Stumped and amazed
was gifted with performing in stages worldwide
with a five-octave coloratura soprano range.
By your lovin'ways Her whistle register was excellent. As a singer
and songwriter, she loved to express her feelings
and intellect. From R&B to soul plus disco, she
represented the harmonies of the 1970’s sound.
You smile at me One of her children is the great comedian, Maya
Rudolph. She was a brave black woman who
And suddenly fought cancer. In 1977, Minnie Riperton was a
spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.
The wheels of love begin to turn inside of me Lovin’ You and Inside My Love are some of her
groundbreaking songs.
Rest in Power Sister Minnie Riperton
We settled low

I felt a glow Pam Grier is a

legendary actress
Right then and there i knew I’d never let you go from North
Carolina. She
Cause I know, I know... moved into
Denver and then
to California
where she
This is it established a
decades long
This time I know it’s the real thing career. Now, she
lives in Colorado.
And I can’t explain what I’m feeling Pam Grier was
not only an actor
I'm lost for words star. She broken
down barriers,
I'm in a daze refuted
stereotypes, and
Stumped and amazed wanted to show
powerful
By your lovin' ways..." storylines in her
films.

This image shows a scene of

Shaft’s Big Score.
Blaxploitation films have been
debated to this day. Some (not
all) of those films did show
anti-black stereotypes, while
others outlined black courage,
strength, and resiliency.

Famous Blaxploitation Movies

Superfly (1972) Sweetback Bad__ Truck Turner Black Belt Jones Sheba, Baby (1975)
Song (1971) (1974) (1974)
 (1945-1979)

Few artists are on his level musically or lyrically. He inspired a new

generation of artists to show the complexity and the wonder of artistic
expression. Every artist since 1980 has been influenced by him directly
or indirectly via sounds, lyrics, and the melodies of the songs. In
essence, he changed the game. He passed away many years ago, but
his legacy has shined brightly even after his passing. Today, we honor
the legacy of the late Brother Donny Hathaway. He was born in
Chicago and raised at St. Louis. Chicago including St. Louis is home Lalah Hathaway (or
to a lot of soul singing legends. Their cultures have been influenced Donny Hathaway’s
by the Delta and the Deep South as tons of black people migrated daughter) is a living
legend of singing
from the South into the areas of the Midwest via the Great Migration.
soul and R&B music.
Donny Hathaway came into college at the famous HBCU Howard She invokes great
University. He worked with many legendary artists like the Staple joy when human
Singers, Jerry Butler, Aretha Franklin, the Impressions and Curtis beings listen to her
Mayfield. He collaborated with the legendary singer Roberta Flack music.
via the songs of “Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.”
Roberta Flack was his close friend as they met in Howard University.
His song This Christmas is the winter classic of the ages. He mastered
the art of showing musically the essence of black pain and black joy.
That was one of his many gifts. His life is a testament to the creative
power of the human spirit. There is no 21st century music without
the great voice of Donny Hathaway. He had many children including
the great singer Lalah Hathaway. Donny Hathaway was one of the
greatest singers of all time. No one can omit his greatness.

Rest in Power Brother Donny Hathaway

 Fashion and music

1970's fashion and music go hand in hand. People wore Afros, hot-pants, and bell bottoms. Films showed black
life in a superhero fashion along with other themes of expression. Shaft, Coffy, Foxy Brown, Cleopatra Jones, and
other movies shown black men and black women representing many roles. These films were watched by me when
I was a child during the 1990's. This era saw tons of black people expressing pro-Black Power themes in their
clothing, ideologies, and way of life in general. Miniskirts and disco culture dominated the time too. Fashion
models back then include people like Iman, Beverly Johnson (who was the first African American cover model on
the August 1974 issue of Vogue), Gia Carangi, Janice Dickinson, Lauren Hutton, etc. Other black fashion icons
of the 1970’s were Grace Jones, Iman, Josephine Baker, Pat Cleveland, Eartha Kitt, Donna Summer, and other
people. The famous fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick promoted draped gowns and the jersey halter dress.
He came of age during the 1970’s with his fashion company. Many of the fashion leaders like Andy Warhol and
Yves Saint Laurent wanted to outline their creative influences in the decade. Diana Ross used lilac eyeshadow,
loose wrap dresses, and XXL hoop earrings. She even established 9 albums in the 1970’s as a solo artist. Fashion
leader Diane von Furstenberg shown clothes that relate to women in the workplace. During the early 1970's, the
hippie look did take shape until the mid to late 1970's when more diverse, defined clothing was very commonplace
(from the punk scene, biker culture, disco culture, and an early hip hop culture).

BLACK FASHION ICONS

Beverly Johnson Iman Pat Cleveland Naomi Sims Veronica Webb Donyale Luna
 The rise of contemporary R&B
By the end of the 1970's, the rise of contemporary R& B existed. This
time saw new sounds, the peak of disco, and the growth of the influence
of artists. Contemporary R&B has drum machine backed rhythms, pitch
concrete vocals, record production styles, and smooth lush style of vocal
From Oakland, California, the
arrangement. Electronic sounds were more prevalent in music. R&B soul/R&B group of The Pointer
leaders during the late 1970’s were Michael Jackson, Evelyn King, Donna Sisters have made R&B richer. The
group had 13 US top 20 hits between
Summer, the Village People, Anita Ward, Barry White, Candi Staton,
1973 and 1985. Ruth, Anita, and
and other people. Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive by the late 1970's Bonnie Pointer were some of the
excelled on the charts. Fire was a song made by The Pointer Sisters original members of the group.
Today, Ruth Pointer, Issa Pointer,
signaled their music stretched generations. The Commodores had the and Sadako Pointer are the current
record of Sail On. They worked with Motown for years. The song of members.
We are Family from Sister Sledge pronounced the truth that family
connections are sacrosanct. Quincy Jones inspired Michael Jackson. Jackson's Off the Wall album of 1979 was not
only great vocally. It influenced music forevermore. Some say that Off the Wall had some better sounds than
Thriller. Michael Jackson's song of Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough represented a universal record of total genius.
The Jacksons' Blame It on the Boogie once again proved to the people that the Jackson family music dynasty is
here to stay. This time saw funk music come alive too like with Chaka Khan and Rufus, Parliament Funkadelic,
and Earth, Wind, and Fire. By the late 1970's, future legends like Prince and Luther Vandross made records. In
fact, Prince's first album was called For You which was released by Warner Brothers Records on April 7, 1978. In
1979, he reached into new heights of greatness with his album of Prince. Songs like I Wanna Be Your Lover, etc.
evoked the modern Prince sound. He respected the talent of Patrice Rushen, who is another unsung great singer
of that time period. Prince could sing, act, and play multiple instruments. Shalamar and other groups continued
to make songs that made crowds come alive with excitement. The Second Time Around (which is a Shalamar
song) was modern day R&B music. Music certainly can inspire the soul.

JAMES BROWN
THE GODFATHER OF SOUL
(1933-2006)

Al Sharpton has always been a

friend to James Brown. Jesse
Yamma Brown is the daughter
Jackson, and Dr. Martin Luther
of James Brown.
King III is shown in this picture
too.

Many legends of music have existed in our time. Yet, James Brown has
lived during my lifetime as a legend who broke down tons of barriers
indeed. For decades, he was a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, a musician,
a producer, and a bandleader. He innovated soul music and funk. As a
person ahead of his time, people like Prince and Michael Jackson were
always inspired by him. James Brown was a man of the South, and he
loved to perform globally from Atlanta to Paris. Soul Brother No. 1
always had his soul in abundance extensively. Music of the 1970’s was
filled with his hits and vibrant personality. From promoting Blackness
to love, he was one of the greatest artists of all time.
 Numerous Prominent Movies of the 1970’s
The 1970 movie of Patton
described General Patton’s
unique military tactics that
defeated the Nazis in North
Africa including Europe. The
film presented his
controversies and
idiosyncrasies in full detail.
Coffy was released in 1973, and
it was a film that shown Pam
Grier was the premier
superhero. Pam Grier plays a
nurse named Coffy who
opposes the drug trade. She
works undercover as a
prostitute in order to stop drug
dealers and their nefarious
empire.
All The President’s Men from
1976 is based on the work of the
journalists Woodward and
Bernstein, who influenced the
end of the Nixon Presidency
(after Watergate). The
journalists rely on a mysterious
source named Deep Throat to
find more evidence. Both
journalists are portrayed by
Robert Redford and Dustin
Hoffman.
Dirty Harry was released in
1971 filled with action and
controversies. Clint Eastwood
starred in the movie as a police
officer who at times used
controversial tactics in getting
criminals. The film’s storyline
and subject matter was ahead of
its time.
Cleopatra Jones was shown in
1973. It stars Tamara Dobson,
who works as a Federal agent
named Jones to rescue her
framed boyfriend (acted by
Bernie Casey) from a drug
queen known as Mommy
(played by Shelley Winters).
Tamara Dobson is another
unsung black superstar. Max
Julien and Sheldon Keller
wrote the screenplay of this
film.
Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (from 1977) was directed
by Steven Spielberg. The
movie is about people trying to
find alien intelligence. Richard
Dreyfuss is in the film as he
plays Roy Neary. His character
investigates UFOs, and he
witnessed a UFO. The graphics
in this film were state of the
art.
Shaft of 1971 changed the game
in terms of black film. It is
about a black private detective
(played by Richard Rountree)
who tries to save the life of a
black teenage girl, whose father
is a dealer. Shaft fights the
Mafia, loves women, and plays
a tightrope among different
worlds in New York City.
Pam Grier in the 1974 movie
Foxy Brown took her acting
into another level. Pam Grier
plays Foxy Brown who
avenges the death of his
undercover cop boyfriend by
going undercover to stop the
actions of Mafia bosses. She
works with a neighborhood
watch group to fight back
against the drug trade. Her
brother is Link (played by
Antonio Fargas).
1978’s Deer Hunter showed the
emotional turmoil that many
Vietnam War veterans faced.
The movie described working
class Pennsylvania steel
workers who fight in Vietnam.
After the war, no one is the
same. The film ends in a
tragedy. The film won five
Academy Awards like Best
Picture, Best Supporting Actor,
Best Film Editing, Best Sound,
and Best Director.
The Godfather was released in
1972. It was directed by Fred
Coppola. The movie was about the
inner workings of the Italian
Mafia whose history stretches
from Italy to major urban centers
of America. The film doesn’t
sugarcoat the Mafia’s wicked
actions of extortion, murder,
abuse, and violence.
Cooley High from 1975 is about
high school friends trying to
survive the poor areas of Chicago.
From parties to gang fights,
Cooley High shows the audience a
realistic look at street life. Preach
(played by Glynn Turman) hopes
to be a writer. The storyline is
based in the 1960’s. Lawrence
Hilton-Jacobs, Jackie Taylor,
Cynthia Davis, and Garrett
Morris star in the film too.
In 1979, Apocalypse Now was
released as another psychological
war film. It was directed,
produced, and co-written by
Francis Ford Coppola. Many
people in film included Marlon
Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin
Sheen, Laurence Fishburne,
Harrison Ford, Dennis Hopper,
and Frederic Forrest. The film has
stood the rest of time as one of the
most influential films of all time.
By the 1970’s, Diana Ross was on
top of the world in many ways.
She was born in Detroit with
humble beginnings. She was part
of the Supremes (which was the
best charting all-woman group
of all time) before establishing Here is Diana Ross with
her own solo career. Also, she her close friend
worked with Berry Gordy to Michael Jackson.
form her own movie career. Her
first feature film was Lady Sings
the Blues in 1972. It was about the
life of the legendary jazz
musician Billie Holiday. The 1970’s
saw Diana Ross to be more than a
singer. She became a songwriter,
composer, actress, record Diana Ross here is saying
producer, screenwriter, and to Michael Jackson that
film producer. During the 1970’s, she admires his success.
she also starred in the movies of They expressed great
Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz (1978). love for each other.

In April of 1974, Diana Ross

was the first African
American woman to co-
host the 46th Academy
Awards. Her music
career increased
mightily. She loves her
friends and family. Also,
she had a very close
friendship with Michael
Jackson. The love that
they had for each other
was truly amazing.
L R
E &
G B
E
N
D The Three Degrees is an underrated Philadelphia soul singing M
group. They were formed in 1963. This image showed members
Fayette Pinkney, Sheila Ferguson, and Valerie Holiday. They were
S around from 1967 to 1976. Their original members were Fayette
Pinkney, Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner. Their music was classic U
from songs like Maybe, When Will I See You Again, and Woman in
Love. The group worked with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (who
are legends in Philly as outstanding producers). The Three Degrees
appeared on the show Sanford and Son on October 1973 singing
their song “I Didn’t Know.” In 2016, The Three Degrees released
S
their first full-length studio album with member Freddie Pool entitled
Strategy: Our Tribute To Philadelphia, through Cherry Red Records.
I
O C
F

Here are the Temptations performing their song, "Just My

Imagination (Running Away With Me)" on The Ed Sullivan Show on
January 31, 1971. The Classic line up of the Temptations are David
Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul William, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks,
and Dennis Edwards. During the 1970’s, they made many hits like
Ball of Confusion, Superstar, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, and
Masterpiece.
 A new artform grows.
A new art form developed in the base, poverty increased, and the can't have justice without love. Back
1970's called hip hop. This art-form social safety net crumbled. Tensions then, many R&B artists didn't view
had influences from jazz, blues, and increased. The massive poverty and hip hop as real music. Kurtis Blow,
Jamaican sounds. Yet, Grandmaster Caz,
hip hop grew to be an and other artists of
international cultural hip hop flourished
phenomenon. The by the late 1970's.
founder of hip hop was Today, the most
the Afro-Caribbean man influential, popular
named Kool Herc. Hip Hip hop always has Afro-Caribbean roots like toasting. These 3 music of the world
men are some of the most popular Jamaican artists of all time.
hop readily used disco They made classic music during the 1970’s too. Jimmy Cliff,
today in 2020 is hip
and R&B sounds in Peter Tosh, and Bob Marley including others helped to make hop. Hip hop and
their earliest records. reggae and ska international musical artforms. R&B influenced
The first commercial hit each other ironically
of hip hop was Rapper's Delight in oppression found in Bronx, NYC despite their differences. Yet, it is
1979. The Sugar Hill gang was inspired musicians to create a genre important to note that without
funded by the Mother of Hip Hop of music that spoke to the pain and R&B, there is no hip hop.
Sylvia Robinson. This time of the the joy found in those suffering at Regardless if people love or not like
late 1970's saw hip hop in its poorer urban communities. hip hop, its roots come from us
infancy. New York City was the city Originally, hip hop was about black people. Its ultimately origin is
where hip hop was born. By the Brothers and Sisters showing love to from the Motherland of Africa. In
early 1970's, NYC experienced many music while seeking a dream of the 1980's, music will further evolve
social changes and living in a better world than the into new heights of glorious
deindustralization. Many people present. It was an art-form that representations.
left the city for the suburbs. highlighted DJing, break dancing,
Economic resources declined graffiti, and a social consciousness
rapidly. NYC had a weakened tax in love with the community. You
By Timothy

Isaac Hayes (Theme You Make Me Feel Brand I’ll Take You There by Lady Marmalade by
From Shaft in 1971) New by The Stylistics The Staples Singers Labelle (1974)
(1973) (1972)

Edwin Starr’s War (1970) Love Rollercoster by the A’int No Sunshine by I Can’t Stand the Rain
Ohio Players (1975) Bill Withers (1971) by Ann Peebles (1974)

I’ll Be There by The Tell Me Something Good Band of Gold by Freda Reunited by Peaches &
Jackson 5 (1970) by Rufus (1974) Payne (1970) Herb (1978)

“I try to choose the songs that

really are basically coming
from my heart. I think that
through the songs that I select,
people know what’s going on in
my life.”

~ Diana Ross
`