Soulbot Soul Music News Page

Etta James dies aged 73

Etta James died on Friday, 20th January 2012 at a hospital in Riverside, California after losing her battle with leukaemia.

British singers including Adele and Amy Winehouse cited her as an influence but this shouldn't detract from listening to the original. Adele wrote and wrote an an article praising her for The Observer newspaper in 2010. Although the media is remembering her mainly for her superb track At Last, most people will probably have more likely heard her raunchy version of I Just Wanna Make Love to You which has accompanied so many advertisements over the years.

Etta James Obituary

The Hideaway Club - final Gig

We visited the site of what was the old Twisted Wheel in Brazennose Street on 19th March 2011 and met another old wheeler who told us that the following Saturday was to be the last gig of The Hideaway Club. If you've never been you have missed what was a unique atmosphere gathering with soul, blues and R and B music dating back to the fifties:
The Hideway Club

Solomon Burke dies aged 70

Solomon Burke has died on Monday, 11th October 2010 on a plane at Schipol airport, Amsterdam.

Solomon Burke Obituary

Isley Brothers Bass Player dies aged 56

Isley Brothers bass player, Marvin Isley has died aged 56. He suffered from diabetes and as a result had a stroke, lost both his legs and the use of his left hand. His playing career finished in 1996. He was joined the band in 1973, left in the eighties and returned again in the nineties.
At one time there were five Isley Brothers in the group including Marvin.

Lena Horne, Jazz singer, actress and civil rights activist, dies aged 92

Lena Horne, jazz singer and actress whose career spanned six decades, has died on Sunday, 9th May 2010 in a New York medical center, aged 92. As well has having an unmistakable silky smooth voice, Lena was an accomplished actress and appeared in the film Stormy Weather. The title track became her signature tune for many years to come.
For more information Click Here.

Northern Soul - and now the film!

It is not always the case that projects that excite us actually come to fruition. We can only hope this one does. A film about the Northern Soul phenomenon is long overdue. There is no doubt whatever emerges will create divided opinions as the movement has as many fissures as the North Pole. For further information Click Here

21st Great British R and B Festival

The 21st Great British R and B Festival takes place in Colne Lancashire on 27th to 30 August 2010. Artists appearing include:

Peter Green Georgie Fame Chris Farlow Dr Feelgood Sandi Thom From the US will be Omar and The Howlers

For more details Click Here

Dale Hawkins - writer of Suzie Q has died, 13th February 2010 aged 73

Dale Hawkins, singer, songwriter and guitarist has died. One of the early signings to Chess Records, Dale wrote Suzie Q which proved to be a song which stood the test of time, being rediscovered every decade it would seem. One of our favourite version was the Chet Atkins version which was played regularly at the Blue Note in Manchester in the sixties. There has always been much talk about the crossover of black singers from gospel to soul but less of country musicians creating a crossover influence on soul. Dale was one of those artists.

Willie Mitchell Dies 5th January 2010

One more of the greats of soul and RnB had died. Willie Mitchell, superb producer, musician and performer passed away on 5th January 2010.  In what proved to be a fitting tribute, the road outside what was Hi Records was renamed Willie Mitchell Boulevard in 2004.

Buddy Guy tours the UK

The brilliant blues guitarist Buddy Guy is making two appearances in the UK in 2010: The Bridgewater Hall Manchester on Sunday 4th July and the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on Monday 5th July. We saw him way back in early sixties at the Free Trade Hall on the recommendation of Roger Eagle - undoubtedly a major influence on Hendrix.

Koko Taylor dies

Barak Obama and Soul Music

Do we sense a change coming in the way that soul music is regarded in the US? From what we can determine, there has been a revival in soul music from the classic period in the sixties due in no small part to the association between Barack Obama and the founding fathers of the civil rights movement. There seems to be a growing awareness that soul music reflected the feeling of change at that time. Some of the stars who were responsible for the influential outpouring of soul music are still alive and performing, some have passed away and some have faded from view their fate unknown. An appreciation of their contribution to change that is now happening in the US is overdue.

It is no coincidence that Aretha Franklin sang at the inauguration of Barack Obama. Many of the songs of the time were based on a meaning of 'soul' which has almost been forgotten. It represented a feeling of personal integrity and an ideal close to the Christian ideal of love for one's neighbour as well as respect for oneself. It came as a natural progression from the gospel roots of much of the music and many of the stars, combined with the realization that change could take place thanks to the leadership of Doctor Martin Luther King. It was an incredibly positive message that this music gave out which can be contrasted with some of the dark, negative lyrics of gangsta rap of today. It is the most sampled of music as well as providing the background for so many advertisements because it has staying power. It will still be played when much of today's efforts have long been forgotten.

As Soulbot can verify from its traffic figures, Soul Music is popular all over the world - from Romania to Russia, from England to Iran. When we first started this site our mission was to keep alive a history of a powerful musical movement - soul music mainly from the golden era of the sixties. Since then world events have moved on apace and we suspect our goal will be even more relevant. Is there a chance that a movement may arise based on the influence of Barack Obama, where leisure suits are replaced by sharp suits, surliness by good manners and the past stars of soul music become recognized as heroes rather than having to eke out an existence by doing manual labour, their contribution having been long forgotten?

Maybe our American viewers will give us their take on the Change that's going to come.