Soul Generation

Last updated
Soul Generation
Soul generation early 70's.jpg
Original members
Background information
Origin Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres R&B, soul
Years active1970-present
LabelsEbony Sound Records
MembersCliff Perkins*
Veda LaRue
Donald Taylor
Krystal Perkins
Past membersEarl Davenport*
Herman Hammond *
Jeffrey Burgess*
Michael Murphy
Ted West
*Original Member

Soul Generation is an American R&B vocal group from Jersey City, New Jersey, which had a number hits in the 1970s, including "Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)", "Million Dollars", and "I Wonder What She's Doin'".

Contents

History

Early days

The group was originally known as The Citations, and formed in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1970. Members included group founder Cliff Perkins (lead singer, tenor, choreographer), Earl Davenport (second tenor), Thomas Timmons (bass), and Herman Hammonds (baritone). Timmons left the Citations in 1971 and was replaced by Jeffrey Burgess. The group changed their name to Soul Generation. [1]

Career

Their first single, "Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)" was produced and written by producer, arranger, and promoter Paul Kyser. Soul Generation and Kyser recorded the song at A & R Recording Studios in New York, New York. The single was released on Ebony Sound Records out of Newark, New Jersey, and distributed by Hilary Records Inc. in April 1972. [2] The song spent 11 weeks on the Billboard R&B singles chart, peaking at No. 27 on May 27, 1972. [3] After the release of their debut single, Soul Generation went back to the studio to record an album entitled, Beyond Body and Soul. [4] Soul Generation recorded the album at Record Plant, in New York City, with record producer and arranger Stan Vincent at the helm. The album was released in late 1972, with the single, "Million Dollars", released to radio in February 1973. "Million Dollars", written by Jeffrey Burgess and Stan Vincent, entered the Billboard R&B singles chart on March 10, 1973, where it spent four weeks, peaking at No. 45. [5] [6] The B-side to the single, "Super Fine", was written by, Burgess and Vincent. Their third and final single from the album, "Ray of Hope", was released in April 1973. "Ray of Hope" and the B-side, "Young Bird", was written by Vincent.

In 1974, Bobby Ragona became the group's manager, and Soul Generation released two more singles in the 1970s. "I Wonder What She's Doin'" in 1974, written by Vincent, and "Praying for a Miracle", written by Van McCoy. In 1975, Earl Davenport died and was replaced by Michael Murphy, who stayed with the group until 1977. The group now performed as a trio, with Perkins, Burgess and Hammond until 1982. Soul Generation disbanded in 1983.

Later years

In 1989, the group reunited with Perkins, Burgess, Hammond, and Ted West performing on the Classic Soul Circuit throughout the country. This unit stayed together until 2004. New members, Veda LaRue-Perkins and Donald Taylor replaced Hammond and Burgess. Krystal Perkins, who is Cliff Perkin's daughter performs with the group as well.

In 2004, with Perkins the only original member left in the group, the name was changed to Soul Generations featuring Cliff Perkins. As of 2020, Soul Generation featuring Cliff Perkins is still performing and celebrating 50 years in the music industry.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positions
US
R&B
[8]
1972 Body and Soul 27
1973Million Dollars45
Ray of Hope
I Wonder What She's Doin'
1974Baby "Praying For A Miracle
2013Oooh! Baby
Your Way
Heaven Only Knows
Yesterday's Memories
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry White</span> American singer (1944–2003)

Barry Eugene Carter, better known by his stage name Barry White, was an American singer and songwriter. A two-time Grammy Award winner known for his bass voice and romantic image, his greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with The Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring soul, funk, and disco songs such as his two biggest hits: "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything".

The Reddings was an American funk, soul and disco band, founded by Otis Redding's sons Dexter and Otis Redding III together with Mark Lockett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chambers Brothers</span> American psychedelic soul band

The Chambers Brothers are an American psychedelic soul band, best known for their eleven-minute 1967 psychedelic soul hit "Time Has Come Today". The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements. Their music has been kept alive through frequent use in film soundtracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Harris</span> American singer (1950–2013)

Otis Robert "Damon" Harris Jr. was an American soul and R&B singer, most notable as a member of The Temptations from 1971 to 1975. Harris was the youngest member of The Temptations, joining the group at the age of twenty.

Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark is an American gospel singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as a member of the American gospel singing group the Clark Sisters. Clark is known as the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music". In addition to singing, Clark is a heralded musician. Known as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ", she is a member of the Hammond organ Hall of Fame Class of 2014. In 2012, Clark was honored by Judith Christie McAllister and the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ, as a living legend and influencer during the 105th International Holy Convocation, where Clark also received an honorary doctorate of sacred music from Dr. Tony Lewis and the Christian Bible Institute and Seminary (CBIS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be-Bop-a-Lula</span> 1956 single by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps

"Be-Bop-a-Lula" is a rockabilly song first recorded in 1956 by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps.

Roy Charles Hammond, better known as Roy C or Roy "C", was an American southern soul singer, songwriter and record executive, best known for his 1965 hit, "Shotgun Wedding". Another song, "Impeach the President", which he recorded and produced with a high school group, the Honey Drippers, has had one of the most sampled drum tracks in hip hop music.

Jimmy Briscoe & The Little Beavers, later known as Jimmy Briscoe & the Beavers, was a 1970s singing group.

"Brown Eyed Handsome Man" is a rock and roll song written and recorded by Chuck Berry, originally released by Chess Records in September 1956 as the B-side of "Too Much Monkey Business." It was also included on Berry's 1957 debut album, After School Session. The song title was also used as the title of a biography of Berry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chi-Lites</span> American R&B/soul vocal group from Chicago, Illinois

The Chi-Lites are an American R&B/soul vocal quartet from Chicago, Illinois, United States. Forming at Chicago's Hyde Park High School in 1959, The group's original lineup consisted of singers Robert Lester, Eugene Record, Creadel Jones, Clarence Johnson, Burt Bowen, Eddie Reed and Marshall Thompson.

Rhyze was an American R&B and funk band. They are probably best known for their song "Just How Sweet Is Your Love" which was an R&B and dance hit. Much of their output was material written by Paul Kyser and Leon Stuckey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Storm in a Teacup (The Fortunes song)</span> 1972 single by The Fortunes

"Storm in a Teacup" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul and Ron Roker, recorded by the British group The Fortunes and released as a single in 1972.

Retta Young born 1949, South Carolina is a former American singer best known for her 1975 disco hit "Sending Out An S.O.S." which made the Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Cash Box Top 100 R&B and UK Top 30 charts. She released an album and three singles during the 1970s.

Paul Kyser is an American promoter, record label owner, singer, songwriter, record producer and arranger. He wrote and co-produced the hit "Dawning of Love" with Tom Vetri for Devotion. He also wrote "Body and Soul " for the group Soul Generation and "Where Were You " for Jimmy Briscoe and the Little Beavers. Along with Leon Stuckey he co-wrote "Just How Sweet Is Your Love" for Rhyze, which appears on the Boogie's Gonna Getcha: '80s New York Boogie compilation album. He co-wrote "Be My #2" which appears on the R. Kelly Untitled album. He is also credited with discovering Jimmy Briscoe & The Little Beavers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Bascombe</span> American musician

Stuart D. Bascombe is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Bascombe is an original member of the R&B/soul vocal group Black Ivory who recorded a number of R&B hits in the 1970s, including "Don't Turn Around", "You and I", "Time Is Love", "I'll Find a Way ", and their disco hit "Mainline".

<i>Baby Wont You Change Your Mind</i> 1972 studio album by Black Ivory

Baby Won't You Change Your Mind is the second album by American soul/R&B vocal group, Black Ivory. The album was produced by Patrick Adams and David Jordan, and released in December 1972 on Today Records/Perception Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)</span> 1972 song by Soul Generation

"Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)" is the debut single by the American Soul/R&B vocal group, Soul Generation. The song was written by producer Paul Kyser and released in April 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You and I (Black Ivory song)</span> 1972 single by Black Ivory

"You and I" is a top 40 single by American soul/R&B vocal group, Black Ivory. The song was written by group members Leroy Burgess and Stuart Bascombe and produced and arranged by record producer, Patrick Adams

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Find Away (Loneliest Man in Town)</span> Song by Black Ivory

"I'll Find Away (Loneliest Man in Town)" is a hit single by American soul/R&B vocal group, Black Ivory. The song was written by group member Leroy Burgess and musician Patrick Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Patterson (singer)</span> American singer-songwriter

Russell Patterson is an American singer, songwriter, recording artist, record producer, and actor. Patterson is an original member of the 1970s R&B Group, Black Ivory who recorded a number of R&B hits including, "Don't Turn Around", "You and I", "I'll Find A Way ", "Time Is Love", and "Mainline".

References

  1. "Soul Generation All Music". AllMusic .
  2. "Soul Generation All Music". AllMusic .
  3. "Soul Generation Billboard R&B Chart 1972". Billboard .
  4. "Beyond Body & Soul Discogs". Discogs . 1972.
  5. "Million Dollars 45 karat".
  6. "Soul Generation Billboard 1973". Billboard .
  7. "Ooh Baby". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  8. "Soul Generation - Million Dollars" . Retrieved 2 August 2020.