Crate Diggers: The Miracles
Showing posts with label The Miracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Miracles. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Anniversary of Rick James' Death

“You can't have rock and roll without drugs, you can't have rock and roll without sex” - Rick James
(Rick James)
Rick James was born as James Johnson Jr. on February 1st, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, USA. At 10 years old his father left the family. His mother would take him on her routes when running errands for the mafia. Johnson would be able to see performers such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Etta James while on these errands. Johnson dropped out of high school. As a teenager he was introduced to drugs and involved in a burglary. At 15 years old he lied about his age and joined the US Navy Reserve. He also became a drummer for a local band. Due to missing his twice monthly reserve sessions he was ordered to serve in Vietnam. In 1965 he fled to Toronto, Canada, where he met then local musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. He then changed his name to “Ricky Matthews”. He then formed the group “Mynah Birds”.
(The Mynah Birds)
They then recorded at Columbia records. The group then recorded with Motown. Matthews then met Stevie Wonder and Wonder suggested that he should change his name to “Ricky James”. The Navy then found James and he was arrested. Motown dropped the Mynah Birds from the label due to James being arrested. After a year in prison he moved to California. In 1968 James went back to Motown and became a songwriter. He worked with the Miracles and the Spinners. Also in 1968 he formed a group called “Salt and Pepper”.
(Salt and Pepper)
In 1969 he moved back to California. In 1973 James signed with A&M Records. In 1976 he returned to Buffalo and formed “Stone City Band”. In 1977 he signed a contract with Motown. In 1978 he released his 1st album “Come and Get It!”. The single “You and I” went No. 1 on the R&B charts.
(James in 1978)
In 1979 he released his 2nd album “Bustin’ Out of L Seven”. He then released his 3rd album “Fire it Up”. He then started his “Fire it Up Tour” which included Prince as an opening act and Teenie Marie. James then produced Teena Marie’s 1st album.
(James (Right) and Teena Marie (Left))
This tour led to a rivalry between Prince and James due to James accusing Prince of stealing his moves.
(James (Right) and Prince (Left))
In 1980 he released “Garden of Love”. In 1981 he released “Street Songs”. The single “Super Freak” sold over 1 million copies. “Street Songs” went to No. 1 on the R&B charts.
(James in 1981)
In 1982 he released “Throwin’ Down”. Also in 1982 he produced the Temptations’ album “Standing on the Top”.
(James (Top Left) and the Temptations (Floor))
In 1983 he released “Cold Blooded”. James then launched the careers of Process and the Doo-Rags and the Mary Jane Girls. Also in 1983 James did a duet with Smokey Robinson called “Ebony Eyes”.
(James (Right) and Smokey Robinson (Left))
In 1984 he was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. In 1985 he produced Eddie Murphy’s album and appeared on the song “Party All the Time”.
(James (Right) and Eddie Murphy (Left))
In 1986 he released “The Flag”. He then signed with Warner Bros. records. In 1988 he released “Wonderful”. In 1989 he released “Kickin’”. In 1990 MC Hammer sampled James’ song “Super Freak” and it earned the both of them a Grammy award.
(James in 1990)
In 1993 James and his wife were accused of holding 24 year old Frances Alley hostage for up to 6 days. James was convicted of the crime.
(James in 1993)
He was released from prison in 1996. In 1997 he released “Urban Rhapsody”. In 1998 he suffered a minor stroke. In 1999 he appeared in the movie Life.
(James (Right) and Eddie Murphy (Left) in Life (1999))
In 2004 James participated in the “Chapelle Show”.
(James in 2004)
On August 6th, 2004 Rick James died of pulmonary failure and cardiac failure in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was 56 years old.
(James’ funeral)
Today is the 13th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great musical artist today.
Albums by Rick James
  • “Come Get It!” (1978)
  • “Bustin’ Out of L Seven” (1979)
  • “Fire it Up” (1979)
  • “Garden of Love” (1980)
  • “Street Songs” (1981)
  • “Throwin’ Down” (1982)
  • “Cold Blooded” (1983)
  • “Glow” (1985)
  • “The Flag” (1986)
  • “Wonderful” (1988)
  • “Kickin’” (1989)
  • “Urban Rhapsody” (1997)
Videos of Rick James

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Sunday, April 2, 2017

Happy Birthday Marvin Gaye

“War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate” - Marvin Gaye
(Marvin Gaye)
Marvin Gaye was born as Marvin Gay Jr. on April 2nd, 1939 in Washington D.C., USA. At 4 years old Gay started to sing in church. His father was very hard on Gay and his siblings being beaten for minor things.
(Gay as a child)
While in high school Gay joined several Doo-Wop groups. In 1956 Gay dropped out of high school and joined the US Air Force. Gay was disappointed in having to perform menial tasks,so he faked mental illness and was discharged shortly afterwards. Returning to Washington D.C., Gay and good friend Reese Palmer formed the vocal quartet The Marquees. The group performed in the D.C. area and soon began working with Bo Diddley. The group signed to Okeh records. After the group was dropped from the label from failing to chart Gay began to compose music. Under a new leader the group changed its name to Harvey and the New Moonglows, and relocated to Chicago.
(Harvey and the Moonglows)
In 1959 Gay lead his first song called “Mama Loocie”. The group also sang backup vocals for Chuck Berry. In 1960 the group disbanded and Gay moved to Detroit, MI. Gay then was signed with Motown’s subsidiary label Tamla records and Gay added an “e” to the end of his last name to look more professional. Gaye originally had no intentions of singing R&B since he wanted to do Jazz. In 1961 Gaye released his 1st single “"Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide".
(Gaye in 1961)
Gaye spent most of 1961 playing drums for artists such as The Miracles and The Marvelettes. In 1962 Gaye found success as co-writer of the Marvelettes hit "Beechwood 4-5789”. His first solo hit, "Stubborn Kinda Fellow", was later released in September, reaching No. 8 on the R&B chart. In 1963 Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” became his 1st top 10 single. Gaye performed as part of the Motown Revue in 1963. Gaye had two No. 1 R&B singles in 1965 with "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar", both songs sold millions of records. Gaye then made hits with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and You're All I Need to Get By".
(Gaye (Left) with Tammi Terrell (Right))
In 1967 Gaye was performing with Terrell and she collapsed while performing and later found out she had a tumor which ended her performing career. In 1968 Gaye's recording of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” became his first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaye followed it up with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and "That's the Way Love Is", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. In 1969 his album “M.P.G.” became his first No. 1 R&B album. In 1970 Gaye began recording “What’s Going On” but Berry Gordy refused to release it due to his feelings of the song being "too political" for radio. Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song. In 1971 the song was released and it reached No. 1 on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks and sold 2 million copies.
(Gaye in 1971)
He released the whole album later that month. The album became Gaye's first million-selling album. It was one of Motown’s first autonomous works. Gaye received two Grammy Award nominations and several NAACP Image Awards. In 1972 he released “Trouble Man”. In 1973, Gaye released “Let's Get It On”. Its title track became Gaye's second No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. Gaye’s final duet album was with Diana Ross and was called “Diana & Marvin”.
(Gaye (Right) with Diana Ross (Left))
Gaye toured from 1974 to 1975. In 1976 Gaye released “I Want You”, the title track became a No. 1 R&B hit. In 1977 his song “Got to Give it Up” hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1978 Gaye released “Here, My Dear”, recorded as an intent for him to remit a portion of its royalties to his ex wife to receive alimony payments, it performed poorly on the charts. Gaye started to contract a cocaine addiction and he had troubles with the IRS. In 1980 Gaye went on a European tour and he feared to come back to the US due to unpaid taxes which was about $4.5 million. In 1981 Gaye left Motown due to several disputes of releasing music without Gaye’s consent. Gaye then moved to Belgium. Gaye recovered from his cocaine addiction while in Belgium. In 1982 Gaye signed with CBS records. In 1982 Gaye released his biggest hit song “Sexual Healing” spending a record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the biggest R&B hit of the 1980s according to Billboard stats.
(Gaye performing in 1982)
In the US the album “Midnight Love” sold 3 million records. In 1983 Gaye won his first two Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. On February 13, 1983, Gaye sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Gaye performing at the NBA All Star game in 1983)
At the end of Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” tour he went to live with his parents in Los Angeles, CA. On April 1st, 1984 in Los Angeles, California after a dispute with his father Gaye was shot and killed by him. He was 44 years old.
(Gaye’s funeral)
Today is his 78th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Marvin Gaye.

Albums by Marvin Gaye
  • “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1961)
  • “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” (1963)
  • “When I'm Alone I Cry” (1964)
  • “Hello Broadway” (1964)
  • “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1965)
  • “A Tribute to the Great Nat "King" Cole” (1965)
  • “Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1966)
  • “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
  • “M.P.G.” (1969)
  • “That's the Way Love Is” (1970)
  • “What's Going On” (1971)
  • “Trouble Man” (1972)
  • “Let's Get It On” (1973)
  • “I Want You” (1976)
  • “Here, My Dear” (1978)
  • “In Our Lifetime” (1981)
  • “Midnight Love” (1982)
Videos of Marvin Gaye

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Saturday, April 1, 2017

Anniversary of Marvin Gaye's Death

“War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate” - Marvin Gaye
(Marvin Gaye)
Marvin Gaye was born as Marvin Gay Jr. on April 2nd, 1939 in Washington D.C., USA. At 4 years old Gay started to sing in church. His father was very hard on Gay and his siblings being beaten for minor things.
(Gay as a child)
While in high school Gay joined several Doo-Wop groups. In 1956 Gay dropped out of high school and joined the US Air Force. Gay was disappointed in having to perform menial tasks,so he faked mental illness and was discharged shortly afterwards. Returning to Washington D.C., Gay and good friend Reese Palmer formed the vocal quartet The Marquees. The group performed in the D.C. area and soon began working with Bo Diddley. The group signed to Okeh records. After the group was dropped from the label from failing to chart Gay began to compose music. Under a new leader the group changed its name to Harvey and the New Moonglows, and relocated to Chicago.
(Harvey and the Moonglows)
In 1959 Gay lead his first song called “Mama Loocie”. The group also sang backup vocals for Chuck Berry. In 1960 the group disbanded and Gay moved to Detroit, MI. Gay then was signed with Motown’s subsidiary label Tamla records and Gay added an “e” to the end of his last name to look more professional. Gaye originally had no intentions of singing R&B since he wanted to do Jazz. In 1961 Gaye released his 1st single “"Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide".
(Gaye in 1961)
Gaye spent most of 1961 playing drums for artists such as The Miracles and The Marvelettes. In 1962 Gaye found success as co-writer of the Marvelettes hit "Beechwood 4-5789”. His first solo hit, "Stubborn Kinda Fellow", was later released in September, reaching No. 8 on the R&B chart. In 1963 Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” became his 1st top 10 single. Gaye performed as part of the Motown Revue in 1963. Gaye had two No. 1 R&B singles in 1965 with "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar", both songs sold millions of records. Gaye then made hits with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and You're All I Need to Get By".
(Gaye (Left) with Tammi Terrell (Right))
In 1967 Gaye was performing with Terrell and she collapsed while performing and later found out she had a tumor which ended her performing career. In 1968 Gaye's recording of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” became his first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gaye followed it up with "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and "That's the Way Love Is", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. In 1969 his album “M.P.G.” became his first No. 1 R&B album. In 1970 Gaye began recording “What’s Going On” but Berry Gordy refused to release it due to his feelings of the song being "too political" for radio. Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song. In 1971 the song was released and it reached No. 1 on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks and sold 2 million copies.
(Gaye in 1971)
He released the whole album later that month. The album became Gaye's first million-selling album. It was one of Motown’s first autonomous works. Gaye received two Grammy Award nominations and several NAACP Image Awards. In 1972 he released “Trouble Man”. In 1973, Gaye released “Let's Get It On”. Its title track became Gaye's second No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. Gaye’s final duet album was with Diana Ross and was called “Diana & Marvin”.
(Gaye (Right) with Diana Ross (Left))
Gaye toured from 1974 to 1975. In 1976 Gaye released “I Want You”, the title track became a No. 1 R&B hit. In 1977 his song “Got to Give it Up” hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. In 1978 Gaye released “Here, My Dear”, recorded as an intent for him to remit a portion of its royalties to his ex wife to receive alimony payments, it performed poorly on the charts. Gaye started to contract a cocaine addiction and he had troubles with the IRS. In 1980 Gaye went on a European tour and he feared to come back to the US due to unpaid taxes which was about $4.5 million. In 1981 Gaye left Motown due to several disputes of releasing music without Gaye’s consent. Gaye then moved to Belgium. Gaye recovered from his cocaine addiction while in Belgium. In 1982 Gaye signed with CBS records. In 1982 Gaye released his biggest hit song “Sexual Healing” spending a record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the biggest R&B hit of the 1980s according to Billboard stats.
(Gaye performing in 1982)
In the US the album “Midnight Love” sold 3 million records. In 1983 Gaye won his first two Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. On February 13, 1983, Gaye sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Gaye performing at the NBA All Star game in 1983)
At the end of Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” tour he went to live with his parents in Los Angeles, CA. On April 1st, 1984 in Los Angeles, California after a dispute with his father Gaye was shot and killed by him. He was 44 years old.
(Gaye’s funeral)
Today is the 33rd anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great musical artist today.
Albums by Marvin Gaye
  • “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1961)
  • “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” (1963)
  • “When I'm Alone I Cry” (1964)
  • “Hello Broadway” (1964)
  • “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1965)
  • “A Tribute to the Great Nat "King" Cole” (1965)
  • “Moods of Marvin Gaye” (1966)
  • “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
  • “M.P.G.” (1969)
  • “That's the Way Love Is” (1970)
  • “What's Going On” (1971)
  • “Trouble Man” (1972)
  • “Let's Get It On” (1973)
  • “I Want You” (1976)
  • “Here, My Dear” (1978)
  • “In Our Lifetime” (1981)
  • “Midnight Love” (1982)
Videos of Marvin Gaye

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