UNSUNG HEROES OF SOUL

The Van Dykes were a Forth Worth, Texas, trio whose influences included Curtis Mayfield and the doo-wop groups of the 1950s.

The Velvelettes were one of a surprising number of Motown groups who undeservedly fell through the cracks.

The Vibrations were active from 1955-76 and had hit singles under three different names.

The Wallace Brothers' recordings were raw, unpolished soul. Although the production values were low, their uninhibited vocals were highlighted by that very lack of sophistication.

Dee Dee Warwick was the sister of Dionne Warwick and one of the music industry’s first openly lesbian performers.

Justine “Baby” Washington combined a down-to-earth gospel sound with a stately uptown elegance. She also played the piano and was one of the few female artists of the early 1960s to write many of her own hits.

Watson was a flamboyant performer whose 40-year career spanned the blues, R&B, soul music, and funk.

A native of Florida, Jean Wells placed five singles on the Billboard Soul chart before returning to her gospel roots in the 1970s.

Kim Weston was a Motown singer best known for “It Takes Two,” her 1967 duet with Marvin Gaye.

Al Wilson is best remembered for the 1968 Northern Soul anthem, "The Snake," and for his 1974 Number One hit, "Show and Tell."

Brenton Wood went from high-school track star to a purveyor of tasteful and laidback West Coast soul. His three biggest hits were all in 1967.

Born and raised in Miami, Betty Wright had her first hit single at fourteen. Three years later, she recorded her signature song, "Clean Up Woman."