Doo-Wop Groups: Lee Andrews and the Hearts

Lee Andrews & the Hearts

Philadelphia Doo-Wop Group, Lee Andrews & the Hearts, had a surge of hits in the latter part of the 1950's. They remained popular for the remainder of their tenure, but failed to impact the charts with their follow up singles. Please take a listen here and have a nice Wednesday: Long lonely nights, Maybe you'll be there, Try the impossible and Tear drops

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Andrews_%26_the_Hearts

Background information
Band Name: Lee Andrews & the Hearts Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Years active: 1953 - ? Genre: Doo-Wop Label: Gotham, Rainbow, Mainline, Chess , United Artists , Grand and Gowen Members: Lee Andrews, Roy Calhoun, Thomas "Butch" Curry, Ted Weems and Wendell Calhoun

Hip Hop Tuesdays: Mac Dre

Andre Louis Hicks (July 5, 1970 – November 1, 2004)

Rapper, Record label founder and Record Producer, Mac Dre, was active from 1984, but a 5 year robbery conviction in 1992 derailed his career until his release in 1996. He subsequently founded a second record label but was shot to death in 2004. Please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: Back in Da Hood, What's really going on? and Young black brotha

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Dre

Background information
Birth name	Andre Louis Hicks
Also known as	Mac Dre, Furly, Silky Slim, Mac Dreezy, Pill Clinton, Al Boo-Boo,Ronald Dregan, Thizzy Marley
Born	July 5, 1970 Oakland, California, U.S.
Origin	Vallejo, California, U.S.
Died	November 1, 2004 (aged 34) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, Hyphy, West Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Record Producer,Screenwriter, Movie Director
Years active	1984–2004
Labels	Thizz Entertainment

Tribute Mondays: Marv Johnson

Marv Earl Johnson (October 15, 1938 – May 16, 1993)

R&B and Soul Singer/Songwriter, Marv Johnson, recorded the first issued single on the Tamla Label (Motown Records) and also scored million sellers for the Berry Gordy owned label. He worked in Sales and Promotions at Motown during the 1970's and wrote for other Artist (Tyrone Davis and Johnnie Taylor). Thanks for your contribution Mr. Johnson, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have a sweet Monday: Come to me, (You've got to) move two mountains, I'll pick a rose for my rose,  I miss you baby, Ain't gonna be that way, I love the way you love and You got what it takes

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marv_Johnson

Background information
Birth name	Marvin Earl Johnson
Born	October 15, 1938 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	May 16, 1993 (aged 54) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, pianist
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	1956–1993
Labels	United Artists Motown Records Motorcity Records

The Singers: Bette McLaurin

Bette McLaurin (born c.1929)

Bette McLaurin scored two major pop hits on an Independent Label during the 1950's and continued recording singles on various labels into the late 1960's. She fell off the radar during the 1970's, but her songs have been released on compilations; the last being in 2013. Please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday: Only a rose, The masquerade is over, You're the greatest, My heart belongs to only you, , My dreams of you, I'm past sixteen and I may hate myself in the morning

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_McLaurin

Background information
Birth name	Bette McLaurin
Born Origin Label	1929 North Carolina, US Derby Records, Big Nickel Records, Coral

Jazz Greats: Joe Henderson

Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001)

Jazz Tenor Saxophonist, Joe Henderson, had tenures at Blue Note, Verve and Milestone Records during his 48 years long career. He also worked as a sideman on numerous occasions and Taught in San Francisco in his later years. Please take a listen here and have a good Saturday: Invitation, Black Narcissus, Song for my father ( Horace Silver Quintet), Ask me now (with Thelonious Monk), Blue Bassa, Earth and Recorda me

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Henderson

Background information
Born	April 24, 1937 Lima, Ohio, United States
Died	June 30, 2001 (aged 64) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres	Hard bop, Post-bop, Soul jazz,Mainstream jazz, Jazz fusion
Years active	1960–1998
Labels	Blue Note, Verve, Milestone
Associated acts	Kenny Dorham, Andrew Hill, Grant Green, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Charlie Haden, Ron Carter,Elvin Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Morgan, Richard Davis, Chick Corea,John Scofield, Flora Purim, Bob Cranshaw, Wynton Marsalis
Website	http://www.joehendersonsax.com/
Notable instruments
Tenor saxophone

The Singers: Johnny Ace

John Marshall Alexander, Jr. (June 9, 1929 December 25, 1954)

Pianist and R&B Singer, Johnny Ace, was a hit machine during the 1950's. His run came to an abrupt end when he reportedly accidentally shot himself in the head while playing with his gun at aged 25 years old. His music his still revered; please take a listen here and have a fun filled weekend: The Clock, I cried, Never let me go,  Cross my heart, Pledging my love and My song

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Ace

Background information
Birth name	John Marshall Alexander, Jr.
Born	June 9, 1929 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Died	December 25, 1954 (aged 25) Houston, Texas, United States
Genres	R&B
Years active	1949–1954
Labels	Duke Records

Reggae Thursdays: Roland Burrell

Roland Burrell

Roland Burrell is a Reggae Singer and Musician that was mentored by Toots Hibbert  and Bob Marley while growing up in Trench Town, Jamaica. He has scored local and international hits and remains a regarded figure in the Reggae genre. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Black race, Stormy night, Hey mama, Belinda, Blood shot eyes and Johnny Dollar

Background information
	Name: Roland Burrell  Origin: Pennants, Clarendon in Jamaica Label: Taxi, Fatman, Jah Guidance, Calabash, Tanka Records