The History of Soul Music, According to Wikipedia
The History of Soul Music, According to Wikipedia is a blog post that explores the origins of soul music. It looks at how the genre developed and how it has been influenced by other genres of music over the years.
Origins of Soul Music
Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the United States in the 1950s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
The influence of Gospel music
The influence of Gospel music can be seen in the development of Soul music. In the early 1940s, legendary Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson began to crossover into the pop music world. She influenced a number of artists, including Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, who would go on to become two of the most influential figures in the history of Soul music. Cooke’s 1963 hit “A Change is Gonna Come” is often considered one of the most important Soul songs ever recorded. Charles’ 1962 recording of “I Got a Woman” is also considered to be an important early Soul recording.
The influence of Rhythm and Blues
The influence of Rhythm and Blues in the development of soul is widely acknowledged. Palauni Maoli, a musicologist, writes that, “In the early 1960s, soul music developed from a confluence of different musical genres including rhythm and blues (R&B)”. He continues, “It is generally agreed that soul started in African American churches in the US South where gospel music was popularized by slave spirituals and work songs.”
The term “Rhythm and Blues” was first used in an advertising campaign by Billboard magazine in 1947. The term was originally meant to refer to African American popular music, which was then called “race music”. Billboard noted that, while the phrase had been used before to refer to black music, it was now being used to refer to something else: “a new kind of music”. The magazine goes on to say that the terms “rhythm and blues” and “soul” are sometimes used interchangeably.
The influence of Jazz
While the term “soul” has been used in popular music to describe a wide variety of genres, it’s generally understood to be a type of African American popular music that came out of the same musical tradition as gospel and blues. While jazz is often cited as an important influence on the development of soul music, it’s important to note that the two genres actually developed alongside each other. For example, Ray Charles – one of the most important figures in the history of soul music – began his career playing jazz before he started incorporating elements of gospel and blues into his sound.
The Development of Soul Music
Soul music is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and often jazz. According to the website, AllMusic, “soul music” developed in the USA during the late 1950s, reaching commercial success in the 1960s.
The rise of Motown
The 1960s saw the advent of a new style of soul music called Motown. Motown was a blend of black rhythm and blues with pop. The music was characterized by a strong back beat, grassy lyrics, and gospel-style vocals. The first Motown hit was “My Girl” by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Other popular Motown artists included Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder.
The British Invasion
In the early 1960s, black American music was changing. The smooth sound of doo-wop and early R&B was being replaced by a rougher, more rhythm and blues based sound. This new music was also influenced by the recent success of rock and roll. British bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were very popular in the United States, especially with young people. African American artists began to adopt some of the same attitudes and styles. This new style of music came to be known as soul.
One of the first soul hits was “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. This song topped both the pop and R&B charts in 1961. It was followed by hits like “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, “Sorrow Tears and Blood” by Fela Kuti, and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.
In 1967, Aretha Franklin released her album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. This album contained her hit single “Respect”, which became an anthem for both the Civil Rights Movement and the feminist movement. It also introduced Franklin’s signature sound: a combination of gospel, blues, and R&B that came to be known as soul.
Aretha Franklin wasn’t the only one making soul music in the 1960s. Other artists like James Brown, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Diana Ross also had successful careers in soul music. The genre continued to evolve throughout the 1970s and 1980s with artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan pushing boundaries and taking soul music in new directions.
Today, soul music is as popular as ever thanks to artists like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Beyoncé, and Justin Timberlake who are keeping the genre alive and fresh for new generations of fans.
The birth of Funk
Funk music originated in the mid-1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul music, jazz, and R&B. Funk de-emphasized the importance of melody and harmony and brought elements of African and Latin American music to popular music, creating a new style called “funk”.
Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord, which is repeated throughout the song. The genre developed from musical experimentation by artists such as James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic collective and Bootsy Collins’ Rubber Band were also influential in developing the genre. Funk samples have been used extensively in hip hop music since the 1980s.
The Legacy of Soul Music
Soul music is a genre of African-American popular music that led to the development of funk and disco. It originated in the early 1950s with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. The term “soul” references the African-American culture. The genre was further developed in the 1960s by artists such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin.
The influence of Soul music on popular culture
The influence of Soul music on popular culture is significant. The genre helped to shape the identity of generations of young people growing up in the United States during the late 20th century. The sound of Soul music was often used in movies, TV shows, and commercials to represent the African American experience.
Soul music has also been a major source of inspiration for many other genres of music, including funk, disco, hip hop, and R&B. The impact of Soul music can still be heard today in the work of contemporary artists such as Beyonce, John Legend, and Alicia Keys.
The influence of Soul music on other genres
The popularity of soul music in the 1960s led to a number of other genres adopting its style and feel, including funk, disco, R&B and even rock. Soul music has also had a significant impact on dance music, with many soul songs becoming regular staples in clubs and discos around the world. In addition, soul music has been an important influence on hip hop, with many of the genre’s biggest stars including elements of soul in their music.
