UNSUNG HEROES OF SOUL

Candi Staton is a four-time Grammy nominee who has recorded in the Southern soul, disco, and gospel genres.

A Louisiana native who recorded in Los Angeles, Bettye Swann wrote her own #1 Soul hit in 1967.

Led by Whitney Houston's mother Cissy, the Sweet Inspirations were an in-demand back-up group who appeared on acclaimed recordings by Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Jimi Hendrix, and Van Morrison (among many others).

Despite their “one-hit wonder” status, the Tams became huge favorites on the Beach Music scene in the Carolinas and the Northern Soul scene in the UK. They even had a #1 smash in England with a seven-year-old recording!

Howard Tate's best-known songs were later popularized by the likes of B.B. King and Janis Joplin.

Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers were the Canadian soul band who spawned comedian Tommy Chong and whose leader discovered the Jackson 5.

Tammi Terrell was a phenomenally talented performer who is best known for her duets with Marvin Gaye; but she made many fine recordings on her own.

Nicknamed the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas never attained the level of commercial success enjoyed by some of her contemporaries; but it wasn't for lack of talent or tenacity.

Timmy Thomas was a singer and keyboardist best known for “Why Can’t We Live Together?”

In 1967, Oscar Toney, Jr., remade "For Your Precious Love," a nine-year-old hit for Jerry Butler & The Impressions. With his half-preached, half-sung delivery, Toney took the old doo-wop number straight to church!

Doris Troy is best known for her 1963 smash, "Just One Look," but also sang back-up on recordings by British acts like the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.

The Undisputed Truth was a Motown act best known for “Smiling Faces Sometimes” and the original “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”