Tag Archives: African-American singer

Brandy: Superstar Shining Bright

Brandy Rayana Norwood was born on February 11, 1979, in Macomb, Mississippi. Her father, Willie Ray Norwood, was a pastor and choir director, and by the age of two, Brandy was singing in his church. Her mother, Sonja Bates, is a cousin of blues singer, Bo Diddley, and she quit her job at H&R Block to manage her daughter’s career. As a child, Brandy revered Whitney Houston and she told her father at a very age that she wanted to sing like her when she grew up. When, Brandy was nine, her family moved to California where she began singing … Continue reading →

Michael Jackson: A Tormented Talent

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the next-to youngest brother of seven and the eighth of ten children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. His career began unofficially at the age of five where he began singing at school recitals and officially at the age of seven as the lead singer for the “Jackson Brothers” a rock group featuring all of his older brothers. In 1966, the group’s name was changed to the “Jackson Five.” They played local clubs and bars and eventually signed a contract with Motown Records in March of 1969. Their first four singles catapulted … Continue reading →

Patti La Belle: Inspiration Personified

Patricia Louise Holt was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 24, 1944, the youngest of five children. She began singing in church at the age of 14 and in 1958 with her friend, Cindy Birdsong, she formed a four member girl group called “The Ordettes.” Two of the singers were replaced in 1959, and two years later the group auditioned for Blue Note Records. The president of the record company signed the girls to the label and changed the name of the group to the Blue belles and Patsy to Patti La Belle. In 1962, they scored their first doo-wop … Continue reading →