THE SOUL CHILDREN

The Soul Children were one of only a few successful vocal groups to record at the Stax Studios in Memphis.

The songwriting/production team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter formed the group in 1968, following the forced departure from Stax of Sam & Dave, for whom Hayes and Porter had created hits like “Hold On! I’m Coming” and “Soul Man.” The duo was signed to Atlantic and had to return there following the end of the company’s partnership with Stax.

The original Soul Children were Norman West, John Colbert (better known as J. Blackfoot), Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett. Blackfoot had previously joined the Bar-Kays after four of its original members died in a plane crash; Louis had sung background on earlier Hayes/Porter productions; Bennett had recently signed with Stax as a recording act; and West had replaced William Bell as lead singer of the Del Rios, who recorded for Stax in the early ‘60s. He also belonged to a band called Colors Incorporated. At different times, each member got to sing lead on the Soul Children’s recordings.

Their debut release, “Give ‘Em Love,” reached #40 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues/Soul chart in early 1969. They followed it with two more charted singles and ended the year with a top ten smash, “The Sweeter He Is, Part 1.” It also became their first entry on the Billboard pop chart. The year 1969 further saw the release of the Soul Children’s self-titled debut album.

In 1970, Isaac Hayes ceased working with the quartet to pursue his career as a solo artist. After two years off the chart, the Soul Children came back with the uptempo novelty number, “Hearsay.” It reached #5 R&B and #44 pop in 1972. That summer, they played the Wattstax festival in Los Angeles.

In late 1973, the Soul Children released their all-time biggest single, “I’ll Be the Other Woman.” The deep, emotional ballad reached #3 R&B and #36 pop. It was also their last major hit for Stax before the label went bankrupt in 1975.

By the following year, the Soul Children had been reduced to a trio following Shelbra Bennett’s departure. In 1976, they signed with Epic, for whom the group placed three singles on the Soul chart. None rose higher than #49.

In 1978, David Porter signed the Soul Children to the reactivated Stax imprint, which now operated under the auspices of Fantasy Records. He co-produced their album, Open Door Policy, which spawned the group’s final charted single, “Can’t Give Up a Good Thing.” With no additional success forthcoming, the Soul Children split up in 1979.

Anita Louis left the music business and worked for FedEx, Time-Warner, and later as a professional business trainer. J. Blackfoot pursued a career as a solo artist, hitting #4 on the Soul chart with “Taxi” in early 1984. Norman West played in nightclubs and also performed gospel music. And Shelbra Bennett recorded several singles as Shelbra Deane.

In 2007, Blackfoot and West revived the Soul Children with two new members, Ann Hines and Cassandra Graham. They recorded an album called Still Standing for the JEA Right Now label. In 2008, West released a solo single, “Long Ride Home.”

J. Blackfoot, 65, died of pancreatic cancer on November 30, 2011. Shelbra Bennett, 66, died in Memphis on May 31, 2013.

Charted singles:

“Give ‘Em Love” (1968-69) R&B #40
“I’ll Understand” (1969) R&B #29
“Tighten Up My Thang” (1969) R&B #49
“The Sweeter He Is, Part 1” (1969) R&B #7, Pop #52
“Hold On, I’m Coming” (1970) R&B #48
“Hearsay” (1972) R&B #5, Pop #44
“Don’t Take My Kindness for Weakness” (1972) R&B #14, Pop #102
“It Ain’t Always What You Do (It’s Who You Let See You Do It)” (1973) R&B #11, Pop #105
“Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing” (1973) R&B #59
“I’ll Be the Other Woman” (1973-74) R&B #3, Pop #36
“Love Makes It Right” (1974) R&B #47
“Finders Keepers” (1976) R&B #49
“If You Move I’ll Fall” (1976) R&B #99
“Where Is Your Woman Tonight?” (1977) R&B #96
“Can’t Give Up a Good Thing” (1978) R&B #19