Forgotten Journal

Legendary R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass passed away this past Wednesday at the age of 59 years old. He began his music career as a drummer but became well known in the 70s as the lead singer for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Teddy left the band for a solo career sometime later and had several hits. In 1982, a devastating car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down but that wasn’t enough to stop him from continuing his music career and performing from his wheelchair. Around 8 months ago, Teddy had undergone surgery for colon cancer and it was the difficult recovery that led to his death. RIP.

Category : Music Artist, Music Bands, R&B Music

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TEENA MARIE’S CONGO SQUARE A TOP 20 ACHIEVEMENT

R&B Icon’s Stax Records Debut a Commercial and Critical Hit
June 2009 – Legendary R&B trailblazer Teena Marie’s new album Congo Square, her first for celebrated soul label Stax Records, sold over 18,000 copies this week to debut at #20 on Billboard’s top 200 album chart and the #4 spot on the R&B Core Store album chart. The record marks the return of one of her generation’s most important voices and has been incredibly well received both over the airwaves and in print. The first sultry single, “Can’t Last A Day” featuring Faith Evans, is a Top 15 hit at Urban AC and continues to build, tracking top 5 spins in crucial markets like Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New Orleans.

Congo Square is Teena’s tribute to her New Orleans heritage recalling the best of the many classic artists that have influenced her along the way including Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, the Emotions and of course, Rick James. The album has received raves from the press including People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today.

The new collection is a passionate, accessible and, as always, autobiographical adventure that cruises smoothly from southern soul and smoky jazz to dance floor funk. Along for the party are special guests , the aforementioned Faith Evans, Howard Hewett, MC Lyte, pianist George Duke, drummer/co-composer Terri Lyne Carrington, bassist Brian Bromberg and Teena’s daughter Rose LeBeau.

Look for Teena live in concert this summer, demonstrating once again that she remains among the most prolific and compelling live performers in pop music. This weekend, she will perform at the West Oak Lane Festival in Philadelphia and on July 5th at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. Teena’s August dates include performances in New York, Chicago, Detroit and San Jose.
Teena Marie Tour Dates

6/21 Philly West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival – Philadelphia, CA

7/5 Essence Festival – Louisiana Superdome – New Orleans, LA

7/19 Bonelli Park – San Dimas, CA

8/8 Spirit Fest – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD

8/29 Country Club Hills – Chicago, IL

8/30 Fox Theater – Detroit, MI

9/4 Spirit Mountain Casino – Grand Ronde, OR

9/26 Viejas Casino & Resort – Alpine, CA

Category : Album Release, R&B Music

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Legendary musician Isaac Hayes died early Sunday morning at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. His wife found him on the floor near his treadmill inside his home. He was taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 AM. Many might have known Isaac from his music. Many credit him as one of the forefathers of R&B. The younger generation was introduced to a different Isaac though as he was also the voice of Chef on South Park. No matter how we came to know Isaac Hayes, it’s safe to say that the world will greatly miss the icon. Isaac Hayes was 65.

Category : Isaac Hayes, R&B Music

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It looks like performing at the Grammy Awards earlier this year was all it required to inspire Tina Turner to get back to work. The Queen of R&B will start her first post-retirement tour in Kansas City in October.

Tina will make the official announcement for the tour this week on Oprah, but the show to air May 12 was recorded last week in Las Vegas. The show was shot in front of an audience of 4,000 so the news is not really a secret.

The now 68-year-old Tina Turner retired after her last tour in 2000. The Queen went out of top with the highest grossing tour of that year.

Tina originally made her name with former husband Ike in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. They scored global hits with ‘Nutbush City Limits’ and a soul version of Credence Clearwater Revivals ‘Proud Mary’.

After suffering beatings from her husband, the couple divorced in 1978.

In 1984, Tina revived her career as a solo artist with the massive hit ‘Private Dancer’. She won Record of the Year for ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ at the Grammy Awards the following year.

The 80s placed Tina in the superstar category. The hits that flowed included ‘Let’s Stay Together’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, ‘Show Some Respect’, ‘Better Be Good To Me’ and ‘Steamy Windows’.

Tina recorded duets with David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Australia, Jimmy Barnes. With Barnes, she re-recorded her classic ‘The Best’ for a TV commercial for football.

Category : Concert, Music Legends, R&B Music, Song, Tina Turner

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Bobby Brown showed up in a Brockton, Massachusetts District Court on Tuesday to answer possible drug charges. The hearing was held behind close doors but no decision has been made yet. The clerk of criminal court says that “it was taken under advisement” meaning that both sides are still being weighed and that it could take a few days before any decision on whether to charge the former R&B star or not.

Bobby was arrested last year when cops were called to a hotel for a report of a disturbance when they found drugs on him. Bobby actually asked the trooper if he would “use discretion” and not charge him.

Category : Bobby Brown, Drugs, R&B Music, Scandal

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