Gospel Music

Great Women of R&B Soul Music

When you think of soul music, names such
as Luther Vandrose, Marvin Gaye, James
Brown, and the like come up. But, come
on, where would soul be without those
women singers? Some of the biggest hits
that brought R&B soul into the
mainstream limelight, and stirred the
biggest passions within the listeners,
were from women. All women could relate
to the troubled times of early soul
female artist and the artist reflected
these times from the Vietnam War to the
mere struggles of a women in the world.

The early blues singer paved the way for
all later female vocalists. Numerous
R&B female artists have made a strong
impact in the music industry and set the
stage for many more such as Aretha
Franklin and Tina Turner.

Aretha Franklin

What piece on the Great Women of Soul
Music would be complete without the
Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin? Aretha
Franklin (born March 25th, 1942) began
her R&B Soul path as a child singing
gospel music in her childhood church.
She was considered a child prodigy. The
influence of the gospel music she grew
up singing was undoubtedly a prime
influence on her later soul music
career.

Ms Franklin has 20 number one rhythm and
blues hits to her name. She is known as
one of the most honored by the Grammy
Awards, as well as being the recipient
of a Living Legends Award, and a
Lifetime Achievement Award. Aretha
Franklin also belted out her sultry
voice as recently as the inauguration of
the 44th President of the United States
of America-Barack Obama.

Tina Turner

Though she is known more recently as a
soloist, Anna Marie Bullock (Tina
Turner) is known yet another great soul
performer, along with her ex-husband Ike
Turner. While still in high school,
Bullock would go with her sister to area
nightclubs and through much prodding by
her sister, Bullock auditioned for Ike
Turner and became a part of Turner?s R&B
soul band as an occasional vocalist with
the Kings of Rhythm at his club. This
was the stepping-stone for Bullocks, at
the age of 18, career in R&B. Bullock
went on to marry Ike Turner and changed
her name to Tina Turner.

Her first opportunity in mainstream Soul
music came in 1960 when the singer
scheduled to sing "A Fool in Love",
"It's Gonna Work Out Fine", "I Idolize
You", and the groundbreaking "River
Deep, Mountain High" didn?t show for the
recording. Young Tina was chosen to
record it instead. However, her most
memorable hit was a cover of CCR?s
?Proud Mary.?

Some other fantastic female R&B soul
singers are Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle,
Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Patti
Austin, Barbara Mason, Martha and The
Vandellas, Denise Williams, and so many
more. Many of these strong female
artists started from simpler and harder
lives yet through it all, they overcame
all obstacles, prevailing with grace,
and known now as some of the best female
rhythm and blues vocalist to date.

R&B Soul Music has many great female soul singers that will
remain an influential part of singers throughout history.

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