Musical News - John 'Ecstacy" Fletcher (Whodini)

John "Ecstacy" Fletcher, rapper and co-founder of the hip hop group Whodini, passed away on December 23, 2020 at the age of 56.

Whodini was formed in 1982 by John Fletcher, Jalil Hutchins, and DJ Crew Carter (also known as “Grandmaster Dee”). The group was wildly popular throughout the 1980s with such hits as “Friends”, “Five Minutes of Funk”, and “Freaks Come Out at Night” (1984) and “Funky Beat” and “One Love” (1986).

The group laid the foundation for the genre “New Jack Swing” which consisted of elements of jazz, funk, rap, and rhythm and blues.

In 2007, Whodini was featured at the 4th VH1 Hip Hop Honors. In 2012, Whodini was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. And in 2018, the group was awarded the Hip-Hop Icon Award.

In the 1980s, Whodini was the favorite group of everybody’s mom. We blasted their music in our homes so that people outside could hear and enjoy it.

We hope Ecstasy is still rocking the Funky Beat, wherever he may be.

John “Ecstasy” Fletcher

(June 7, 1964 – December 23, 2020)

© 12/23/2020

Musical News - Rance Allen

Bishop Rance Allen, gospel music royalty, died on October 31, 2020 at the age of 71, following a medical procedure.

Bishop Allen was born in Monroe, Michigan on November 20, 1948. He began singing and preaching at the age of five. He and brothers Tom and Steve formed the Rance Allen Group in the 1960s.

Bishop Allen was a vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and songwriter. A favorite song by the group is “Ain’t No Need of Crying” from 1975. This song is perfect for the times.

Bishop Allen was an evangelist and minister in the New Bethel Church of God in Christ who was promoted to bishop in 2011.

The Bishop has now been elevated to his highest position ever!

Bishop Rance Allen (November 20, 1948 – October 31, 2020) © 10/31/2020

Musical News - Johnny Nash

Johnny Nash, soulful singer of the 1970s, passed away on October 6, 2020 at the age of 80.

Mr. Nash was born in Houston, TX on August 19, 1940. As a child, he sang in the choir at Progressive New Hope Baptist Church. At the age of 13, he began to perform on local variety shows, as well as radio and television shows. He enjoyed mild success as a screen actor.

In the mid-1960s, Nash was introduced to Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, and Rita Marley, and signed them to Cayman Music.

In 1972, Mr. Nash recorded “I Can See Clearly Now,” which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. The recording reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In June of 2019, Johnny Nash’s material was among that of hundreds of artists which was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal Studios fire.

John Lester Nash (August 19, 1940 – October 6, 2020) © 10/06/2020

Musical News - Pamela Hutchinson (The Emotions)

Pamela Hutchinson, member of The Emotions, called one of the most influential girl groups of all time, has died on September 18, 2020 at the age of 61. She had been experiencing long-term health challenges.

The Emotions recorded their debut album. “So I Can Love You” in 1969, but sister Pamela did not join The Emotions until 1977, when they recorded “Rejoice”. From that album came "Best of My Love" which reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance, as well as an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. “Best of My Love” was certified platinum.

Pamela sang with her older sisters Wanda, Sheila, and Jeanette Hutchinson for several years, eventually rejoining the group in 2000. We all remember and love many songs by the iconic group The Emotions. While we listen, we cannot help but recall Pamela Hutchinson.

Pamela Hutchinson (1959 – September 18, 2020) © 09/22/2020

Musical News - Edna Wright (Honey Cone)

Edna Wright, lead singer of the 1970s soul group Honey Cone, passed away on September 12, 2020 at the age of 76. She was born in 1944 in Los Angeles, CA and died in Encino, CA as the result of a heart attack.

Ms. Wright began her career by singing in a gospel choir. In the 1960s, she sang background for the Righteous Brothers and Ray Charles. She co-founded Honey Cone in 1968, and they recorded their only hit, “Want Ads” in 1971. They recorded "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" in 1972. The group disbanded in 1973.

Ms. Wright was also a backup artist in the 1980s and 1990s for artists such as U2, Kim Carnes, Aaron Neville and Andraé Crouch, and she was a member of Ray Charles’ backup group, the Raylettes.

Edna Wright (1944 – September 12, 2020) © 09/17/2020

Musical News - Ronald Bell (Kool & the Gang)

Ronald Nathan Bell, co-founder of Kool & the Gang, died suddenly on September 9, 2020 at the age of 68. He was a composer, singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer who (along with his brother Robert “Kool” Bell) was introduced to jazz at the age of five.

Ronald composed some of the group’s biggest hits, including “Celebration” (1980), “Cherish” (1985), “Jungle Boogie” (1973) and “Summer Madness” (1974.

The group won a Grammy in 1978 for their work on the soundtrack for “Saturday Night Fever” and was honored with a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.

Kool & the Gang was one of our all-time favorite groups, and I am sure Celebration is still being played, somewhere in the world.

Ronald “Khalis” Bell (November 1, 1951 – September 9, 2020) © 09/10/2020

Musical News - D.J. Rogers

D.J. Rogers, born on May 9, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA, singer of “Love Brought Me Back” (1978) and “Say You Love Me” (1975), passed away on August 22, 2020. He was 72 years of age.

Mr. Rogers was a pianist, a singer, record producer, and a songwriter.

,D.J. was a great singer of R&B ballads throughout the 1970s, but by the 1980s, he had begun singing gospel.

,Mr. Rogers was probably not afforded all of the attention he deserved, but for those of us long-time admirers, he will be missed.

DeWayne Julius “D.J.” Rogers

(May 9, 1948 – August 22, 2020)

,© 09/10/2020

Musical News - Bonnie Pointer

Bonnie Pointer of the Oakland-based 1970s group The Pointer Sisters has died on June 8, 2020 at the age of 69.

The Pointer Sisters began in 1969 when Bonnie and June formed a duo. They were soon joined by sister Anita. Sister Ruth joined in 1972. The group recorded its debut album in 1973, including “Yes We Can Can”, written by the New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint. They won a Grammy in 1974 for “Fairytale”, a hit on the country charts which was written by Bonnie and Anita.

Bonnie left the group for a solo career in 1978, before the group’s major successes. She released three solo albums. She had perhaps her biggest solo hit with a remake of “Heaven Must Have Sent You” in 1978. Of course, the group went on to record “"Fire" (1979), "He's So Shy" (1980), "Slow Hand" (1981), and the remixed version of "I'm So Excited” (1984).

 Sister Anita announced Bonnie’s passing, stating that she and Bonnie were best friends who talked every day. Our condolences go out to the Pointer family for their loss.

Patricia Eva “Bonnie” Pointer
(July 11, 1950 – June 8, 2020)
© 06/08/2020

Musical News - Betty Wright

Betty Wright was a part of the sound of my youth. She was a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, legend, and icon. She passed away from cancer on May 10, 2020 at the age of 66.

Betty was born in Miami, FL, and as did many great artists, she got her start in the church. She sang with her siblings from the age of two as part of the gospel group The Echoes of Joy.

By the age of 14, Betty was so entrenched in the music business that she was discovering other artists and releasing her own music. In 1971, she released her first big hit “Clean Up Woman” at the age of 17.

In 1974, Ms. Wright co-wrote “Where is the Love” with producers Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band). This won Betty her first Grammy. In 1974, Ms. Wright also released “Tonight is the Night.”

Ms. Wright was the first black female artist to achieve a gold album on her own label in 1988.

Through the 2000s, Ms. Wright sang duets with and did backup work for other famous artists, and her work was sampled by the likes of Afrika Bambaataa, SWV, Mary J. Blige, Willie Dee, and Chance the Rapper.

Bessie Regina Norris Wright

(December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020)
© 05/10/2020

Musical News - Andre Harrell

Andre Harrell, famed music executive, founder of Uptown Records, record producer and songwriter, and mentor to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and many others, has passed away of heart disease on May 7, 2020 at the age of 59.

Harrell was born in The Bronx, New York. Early on, Harrell formed a rap duo with Alonzo Brown, performing as Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. In 1981, they released “Genius Rap,” which was a major hit.

In 1983, Harrell became a vice president and then general manager of Def Jam Records, leaving several years later to form Uptown. For a time, he was CEO of Motown. Throughout his career, he signed several great artists, including Mary J. Blige, Heavy D & the Boyz, Jodeci, and Teddy Riley. He was credited with changing the sound of R&B.

From 1994 to 1998, Harrell created and produced the hit police drama series, “New York Undercover.”

Although his name may not be known to all, Mr. Harrell was a success in all arenas of music.

Andre O’Neal Harrell

(September 26, 1960 – May 7, 2020)
© 05/10/2020

Musical News - Melvin Edmonds

It breaks my heart to inform you of the passing of Melvin Edmonds, older brother of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and founding member of 1990s group After 7. We all loved the sound of After 7, who popularized such songs as “Heat of the Moment,” “Can’t Stop,” and “Ready or Not.”

Melvin was born in 1953 and died on May 18, 2019 after a brief illness, at the age of 65.

Melvin left After 7 for a period of time following some measure of discord, and was replaced by his son, Jason. Melvin returned to the group in 2016, prior to the release of “Timeless.”

After 7 was virtually off of the music scene for several years, during which Melvin suffered a stroke. But just listen to the opening bars of “Heat of the Moment” and the smooth voices, the suave looks, and the sexy moves of After 7 return to mind. We will all miss Melvin.

Melvin Edmonds [1953 – 05/18/2019]

© 05/21/2019

Musical News - Little Richard

Little Richard, who was often referred to as “The Innovator,” “The Originator, and the “Architect of Rock and Roll,” died on May 9, 2019 from bone cancer. He was 87 years old.

Richard Wayne Penniman was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, GA to a religious family. He began singing in church at a very early age. By fifth grade, he played alto saxophone in his school’s marching band.

In 1947,  Richard began opening shows for Sister Rosetta Tharpe. He was inspired to play piano after hearing Ike Turner play “Rocket 88.” While still in high school, Richard left home and began performing in vaudeville shows.

Richard had his first hit in 1955, which was titled “Tutti Frutti” and sold a million copies. Other hits such as “Long Tall Sally” (1956), “Lucille” (1957), and “Good Golly Miss Molly” (1960) quickly followed.

In about 1958, Richard returned to his gospel roots and did not record secular music again until 1962.

 In 1986, Little  Richard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1993, he received a Grammy lifetime achievement award. He received so many accolades that it is difficult to name them all. He was well known for his flamboyant hairstyles, makeup, and clothes.

The story of Little Richard’s life was brought to the big screen in 2000, with Leon playing the lead role.

Richard was indubitably one of a kind. Although he had not performed publicly for some time before his death, he will never be forgotten.

 

Richard Wayne Penniman

(December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020)

Musical News - Bill Withers

Bill Withers, Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, and musician, died on March 30, 2020 of heart complications, at the age of 81. Mr. Withers burst upon the scene in 1971 with “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Grandma’s Hands”. He continued his string of hits with “Lean on Me” and “Use Me,” both from 1972. He recorded “Lovely Day” in 1977 and then “Just the Two of Us” with Grover Washington Jr. in 1981. Mr. Withers was nominated for a total of nine Grammy Awards and won three. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Two of his songs, “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Just the Two of Us” were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Bill was a force of nature, one of which was certainly a pleasure to deal with.

William “Bill” Harrison Withers Jr.  

July 4, 1939 – March 30, 2020

© 04/06/2020