Important soul pioneers are Ray Charles, Etta James, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, and many others.
Ray Charles also known as Ray Charles Robison was an American pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader. Ray Charles was credited with the early development of soul music. He combined blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country music to create his hits. Although he was blind, he still studied composition and learned to play the alto saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and organ. Charles continued to make hits and did not let anything stop him. “I was born with music inside me. That’s the only explanation I know.” – Ray Charles
Etta James also known as Jamesetta Hawkins was a gospel prodigy and a popular American rhythm & blues singer. Etta James developed an early interest in music and started vocal training at five. She was the star of her church choir. At the age of 14, she started singing in a girl group named the Creolettes but it was renamed the Peaches. Etta James was signed to many record labels and continued to use soul and blues in her music.
Sam Cooke also known as Samuel Cook was an American singer and songwriter. He sang with the gospel group the Soul Stirrers before making many hits. Sam Cooke was among the first Black performers to attend to the business side of the music business. He founded a record label and a publishing company while being a singer and composer.
Little Richard also known as Richard Wayne Penniman was an American singer and pianist. His songs were hits in the mid 1950’s while in the development of rock and roll. He left home as a teenager to perform rhythm and blues at nightclubs. He got his name “Little Richard” white performing at medicine shows and nightclubs. His first recordings started in the 1950’s which showed him using blues. As his career grew, he appeared in some rock and roll movies and continued to make music
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