Soul music is a twisted and funky mix of rhythms that often borrows from gospel and other musical genres. Gospel is a form of religious music that usually features choral vocals and layered rhythms. Hand-clapping rhythms and call-and-response sections are also common in gospel. In the 1950s and 60s, gospel and R&B began to blend, merging the hand-clapping rhythms of gospel with heavy R&B thrums. Later, jazz rock-and-roll elements were introduced into the mix.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is considered one of the greatest singers of all time. She became known as the “Queen of Soul” and was twice named as one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” As of 2014, her music has sold over 75 million records worldwide.
Aretha Franklin’s “A Natural Woman”
“A Natural Woman” is a soulful ballad recorded by Aretha Franklin in 1967. It’s one of her most popular hits, and she has had a number of singers perform it, including Patti LaBelle and Celine Dion. Although Aretha Franklin wrote the original song, many other artists have covered it. These renditions are often as good as the original.
Ray Charles
Ray Charles is credited with helping to make soul music famous, and his legacy lives on to this day. This American musician was a pianist, singer and saxophonist. He was known as “The Genius” by his contemporaries, but preferred to be referred to as “Brother Ray” by his friends.
Percy Sledge
Percy Tyrone Sledge was an American singer who excelled in soul music, R&B, gospel, and more. Most famous for his song, “When a Man Loves a Woman”, Sledge achieved mainstream success. This song reached the top of the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts, and was Gold-certified by the RIAA.
Percy Gamble
Percy Gamble’s work was instrumental in the development of soul music. His collaboration with producer Huff redefined the genre and launched the careers of dozens of artists. His success also allowed him to revitalize working-class communities in south Philadelphia. His success led him to found the Universal Companies, one of the most successful real estate developers in the city.
Percy Gamble’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”
When a Man Loves a Woman is one of the best-known songs of all time. The song is about a man who loves a woman. Percy Sledge was an Alabama native who rose to fame thanks to his 1966 No. 1 hit “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Percy Sledge was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy nominee. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in late 2013 and died of it on Tuesday morning. He had performed the song all over the world.
Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”
When a Man Loves a Woman was one of the first hits from the Alabama soul singer, Percy Sledge. He was an agricultural worker by day, but moonlighted as a soul singer on the weekends. His talent and hard work eventually earned him a record deal and a hit song. His first chart record, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” was a massive hit for him, reaching the top spot on the American R&B charts for four weeks. It also made it onto the pop chart for two weeks, as well. Sledge would go on to record several other hit songs over the years.