Pictured: Buddy Miles, Minnie Riperton, Buddy Rich, and Sidney Barnes at Electric Play Around, Chicago circa 1969
#312Soul began as a month-long exploration of Chicago’s Black music history from 1955 to 1990. Curated by O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul and Vince Lawrence, its reach extends far beyond the month of February. Readers are encouraged to share their own 312 stories and share how they’ve been influenced by Chicago’s soul, funk, disco, and house music scenes from 1955 to 1990. Discover behind-the-scenes moments from Chicago’s Black music history and lend your own voice to our unfinished retrospective.
Blind Chicago Musician Raynard Miner
Date: 2.26.20
Submitted by: Keia Mitchell
Ithink Raynard Miner is Chicago's hidden gem.
Raynard Miner, raising the bar higher
Maurice McAlister
Date: 2.23.20
Submitted by: Rory McAlister
Maurice McAlister was affiliated with Chess from 1962-1971 alongside the likes of Etta James, Gene Barge, Charles Stepney, Minnie Riperton, Sidney Barnes, etc. Unfortunately he passed November 2017. But you may want to include his contribution at some point as well.
Maurice McAlister and Rory McAlister at Chess Records.
THE RADIANTS AT THE LEGENDARY APOLLO! Circa 1963.
Program Guide cover for Spring 1966 artist lineup at the original legendary Regal Theatre in Chicago.
Dad's Original Press Photo (1962) - THE RADIANTS.
Photo cred: Rory McAlister’s Facebook
Jimmy Burns
Date: 2.18.20
Submitted by: David Herrero
Heard you guys on NPR today. Great work and congrats. You guys should include Chicago blues man Jimmy Burns. His Soul singles from back in the day are selling for 4 and 5 grand. Two of these songs were arranged by and have keys from Donny Hathaway.
I Love You Girl - 1965
You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone - 1966
Co-Produced by Eddie Thomas
Pre-House Music History
Date: 2.15.20
Submitted by: David Risquè
The Year of 20/20 is Symbolic for Conscious Clarity for Truth. We have the ability to correct historical clerical mistakes. Words have meaning, which have the power to define, distort, diatract, destroy or disinform your Reality.
“African-Americans Ain’t ALL African, therefore HOUSE MUSIC is authentically Aboriginal-American. Truth.”
My time in Chicago 1967-1972
Date: 2.15.20
Submitted by: Sidney Barnes
By the time I arrived in Chicago and Chess Records in 1967 I was 26 yrs. old, and I was already somewhat of a music legend. I first arrived in New York City in 1961 from DC, and by 67’ I was graduating from the some of the biggest music educational training grounds in the universe.
From working with, and in affiliation with New York's, Ten Pan Alley, Music Row, and The Brill Building on Broadway, to the home made multi selling recording machine known as Motown Records in Detroit Mich. I had followed my dreams and had been mildly successful as a solo recording artist, and as a group recording artist, a song writer, music producer, and music consultant.
Formed in Chicago in 1966, Rotary Connection were originally positioned as a Soft-Psychedelic Rock/Soul group
Rotary Connection with Minnie Riperton (left), Sidney Barnes (Center) Saturday, August 30, 1969 Texas International Pop Festival - Photo by Charles Burwell.
Cleveland Music Hall Cleveland OH June 20 1968
Cleveland Music Hall Cleveland OH June 20 1968
After touring the Chitterling Circuit for a couple of years, opening for the top R&B artist of that era, and with a constant flow of original music always on the air waves to represent me on the Billboard R&B charts I had but one goal left in mind and that was to move to Chicago and join up with Chess Records "The home of the Blues'.
In 1967, I moved from Detroit where I had formed a successful music partnership with George Clinton, and Mike Terry (of the world-famous Funk Bros.), to Chicago exactly 5 months after it had suffered one of its worst winter snowstorms ever. With Detroit in flames (literally) in my rear-view mirror, my timing couldn't have been better. Chicago & I fell madly in love with each other instantly. It not only changed my life, but it affected the lives and souls of millions of people worldwide and is still being talked about, sold, and appreciated by many worldwide.
The music that I was allowed to create and the talent I was able to motivate and cultivate while I was signed to Chess records as a solo artist, music producer, and song writer. I can truthfully say that had I not moved to Chicago when I did in the frame of mind that I was in when I arrived there, there are several major acts who are giant stars right now because of what I contributed to them and the whole Chicago Music scene at that time may only be matched by a few.
And most importantly I can say with all certainly that several major acts from Chicago would have maybe had a whole different sound had I not helped to influence them. I've been told also that I'm only one of a very few numbers of singers who have recorded for both Motown and Chess. An accomplishment I'm very proud of.
Promo 45 by Sidney Barnes for the Chicago based Ember Furniture Company -with three locations; 4128 W. Madison, 426, E. 47th Street and 6614 S. Halstead.
Produced by Richard Pegue
Standing on Solid Ground
Sidney Barnes Autobiography released in January of 2012
In 1970, I created The Ember Furniture Store Commercial jingle to advertise a local furniture store on Chicago's West Side, and it became one of the longest running jingles on Chicago radio at the time.
In 1967, I helped to create a multi-racially Rock/Soul band called Rotary Connection (that also included the late great Ms. Minnie Riperton), Rotary helped change the whole musical landscape in Chicago, at that time shaping the careers of artist like Elton John, and Earth Wind & Fire. Oh, there is so much more left to the story. Actually, my dear friend Vince Lawrence asked me to write in something so I thought I would start off with this. Nice to meet you. I also have just released my 500+ page autobiography called Standing On Solid Ground.
Finally A Black Life Explained
Date: 2.10.20
Submitted by: Christopher Horace
As a young boy who grew up in the church, Music and religion always played an integral role in my development as a person. Growing up, it always felt like I had to compete with my peers in proving how "black" I was.
However, my love for soul and rhythm overpowered any doubts I had about myself. What I lacked in athleticism, I made up with my ear and natural inclination to piano and trumpet. Once I left college, I found myself embraced by the artist culture of the City, and dove headfirst in the performance scene. I took up the stage name F.A.B.L.E (Finally A Black Life Explained) so that I could tell my story, and the story of those around me. Using a combination of hip-hop inspired narration, and jazzy undertones, I've been making a name for myself all around the Windy City, all while making sure I rep my south-side heritage with pride.
Sunday Williams
Date: 2.4.20
Submitted by: Brian Pope
My aunt had a hit records out on Chess Records, "Where Did He Come From" and "I Ain't Got No Problems With My Man.”