Rhythm and Blues Singers in History

• 1992-06-30 "End of the Road" single released by Boyz II Men (Grammy Award Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song 1993, Billboard Song of the Year 1992)

• 1998-06-21 "Don't Be Cruel" second studio album by Bobby Brown is released (Grammy Award Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, 1990)
• 1999-03-03 "Fortunate" single by soul singer Maxwell released (Billboard Music Award Best R&B Single of the Year, 1999)

• 2005-09-15 "Be Without You" single released by Mary J. Blige (Billboard Song of the Year 2006, Grammy Award Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 2005)
• 2007-11-09 Alicia Keys releases her 3rd studio album "As I Am" (Grammy Award Best Female R&B Vocal Performance 2008, 2008 Billboard Album of the Year)

• 2019-01-03 "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries investigating sexual abuse by R&B singer R. Kelly premieres on Lifetime in the US
• 2021-09-27 R&B artist R. Kelly is convicted on nine counts of racketeering and sex trafficking after a six-week trial in New York [1]

• 2023-05-19 Pop-R&B vocal group the Spinners donate nearly 400 stage outfits to the Motown Museum in Detroit, Michigan

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 386

• 1910-02-21 Al Sears, American jazz and R&B saxophonist (Duke Elllington Orchestra; Johnny Hodges - "Castle Rock"), born in Macomb, Illinois (d. 1990)
• 1910-08-08 (Lucius) "Lucky" Millinder, American swing and rhythm-and-blues bandleader (Rosetta Tharpe; Who Threw The Whiskey in the Well), born in Anniston, Alabama (d. 1966)
• 1911-07-10 (Charles) "Cootie" Williams, American jazz, jump-blues, and R&B trumpeter (Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1929-40 & 1962-74), born in Mobile, Alabama (d. 1985)
• 1912-10-15 Nellie Lutcher, American jazz and R&B singer, pianist, and songwriter ("Hurry On Down"; "He's a Real Gone Guy"), born in Lake Charles, Louisiana (d. 2007)
• 1913-05-31 Jimmy Shirley, American jazz and R&B electric guitarist, and early proponent of the Vibrola vibrato arm ("whammy bar"), born in Union, South Carolina (d. 1989)
• 1913-07-05 Smiley Lewis [Overton Amos Lemons], American R&B singer, and guitarist ("The Bells Are Ringing"; "One Night (Of Sin)"; "I Hear You Knocking"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1966)
• 1914-10-10 Ivory Joe Hunter "The Baron of the Boogie", American R&B singer, piano player, and songwriter ("Since I Met You Baby"), born in Kirbyville, Texas (d. 1974)
• 1914-11-05 Jack McVea, American swing jazz, and R&B clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader, born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2000)
• 1914-12-18 Connie "Pee Wee" Crayton, American R&B and blues guitarist and singer ("Do Unto Others"), born in Rockdale, Texas (d. 1985)
• 1915-03-20 Sister Rosetta Tharpe [Nubin], American gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, and electric guitarist ("This Train"; "Down By The Riverside"), born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, (d. 1973)
• 1915-04-30 Mabel Scott, American gospel and R&B vocalist ("Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"), born in Richmond, Virginia (d. 2000)
• 1915-08-24 Wynonie Harris, American rhythm and blues singer, born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 1969)
• 1916-07-07 Lloyd "Tiny" Grimes, American jazz and R&B guitarist (Art Tatum), born in Newport News, Virginia (d. 1989)
• 1917-01-10 Jerry Wexler, American music producer who coined the term "rhythm and blues" (Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan), born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2008)
• 1917-03-12 Leonard Chess [Lejzor Czyż], Polish-American blues and R&B record company executive (Chess Records), born in Motal, Poland (now Belarus) (d. 1969)
• 1917-03-26 Rufus Thomas, American vaudevillian, singer-songwriter, and R&B musician known as "Mr. Swing" ("Walking the Dog", "Do the Funky Chicken"), born in Cayce, Mississippi (d. 2001)

• 1917-12-18 Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, American blues, jazz, and R&B alto saxophonist, born in Houston, Texas (d. 1988)
• 1918-06-13 "Wild Bill" Moore, American R&B and jazz tenor saxophone player ("We're Gonna Rock, We're Gonna Roll": Marvin Gaye's "Mercy, Mercy Me"), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1983)
• 1919-04-22 Benjamin "Bull Moose" Jackson, American R&B saxophone player and singer ("Hurry, Hurry"), born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1989)
• 1919-10-08 Hal Singer, American jazz and R&B saxophonist ("Corn Bread"), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma (d. 2020) [1]
• 1920-02-24 (Edwin) Eddie Chamblee, American jazz and R&B saxophonist, bandleader, and occasional vocalist, born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 1999)
• 1921-08-13 Jimmy McCracklin [Walker], American R&B pianist, and composer ("The Walk"; "Tramp"), born in Elaine, Arkansas (d. 2012)
• 1922-10-15 Tommy Edwards, American R&B singer-songwriter ("It's All In The Game"), born in Richmond, Virginia (d. 1969)
• 1923-12-05 Johnny Pate, American jazz bassist (Stuff Smith, James Moody), pop, soul and R&B arranger and producer (The Impressions, Peabo Bryson), born in Chicago Heights, Illinois
• 1923-12-10 Linda Hayes [Bertha Williams], American R&B singer (Yes I Know), born in Linden, New Jersey (d. 1998)
• 1923-12-30 Frank Motley, American R&B and jazz double-trumpeter and bandleader (The Motley Crew), born in Cheraw, South Carolina (d. 1998)
• 1924-01-01 Arthur Prysock, American jazz and R&B singer ("I Didn't Sleep a Wink Last Night"; "In The Rain"), born in Spartanburg, South Carolina (d. 1997) (some sources state year as 1929)
• 1924-03-24 "Boogie" Bill Webb, American Louisiana blues and R&B guitarist, singer and songwriter ("Bad Dog"), born in Jackson, Mississippi (d. 1990)
• 1924-05-01 Big Maybelle [Mabel Smith], American R&B singer (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On; Candy), born in Jackson, Mississippi (d. 1972)
• 1924-08-29 Dinah Washington [Ruth Lee Jones], American jazz, blues, pop, and R&B singer ("What a Diff'rence a Day Makes": "September In The Rain"), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1963)
• 1924-12-24 [Irving] Lee Dorsey, American pop and R&B singer ("Working In the Coal Mine"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1986)

• 1925-04-14 Bill Harris, American R&B and jazz guitarist (Clovers - "Ting-A-Ling"; "Devil Or Angel"), born in Nashville, North Carolina (d. 1988)
• 1926-03-27 Frankie Ervin, American R&B singer (The Three Blazers - "Dragnet Blues"; The Shields - "You Cheated"), born in Blythe, California (d. 2009)
• 1926-08-12 Joe Jones, American R&B singer (d. 2005)
• 1926-12-11 Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, American rhythm-and-blues singer and songwriter (Hound Dog, Ball & Chain, Stronger than Dirt), born in Ariton, Alabama (d. 1984)
• 1927-04-01 Amos Milburn, American R&B singer and pianist ("One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer"), born in Houston, Texas (d. 1980)
• 1927-04-29 (Cecil James) "Big Jay" McNeely, American R&B saxophonist, born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2018)
• 1927-09-01 Tommy Evans, American doo-wop, and R&B singer (Drifters, 1956-62 - "Save The Last Dance For Me"), born in Wayne County, Michigan (d. 1984)
• 1927-12-23 (Cornelius) "Pinocchio" James, American jazz and R&B singer (Lionel Hampton Revue), born in Macon, Georgia
• 1928-02-11 Raoul Cita, R&B pianist and songwriter (Harptones), born in New York City (d. 2014)
• 1928-04-10 Rosco Gordon, American R&B pianist, singer, and songwriter ("Booted"; "No More Doggin'"), born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 2002)
• 1928-12-13 Joe Messina, American soul, jazz, and R&B session guitarist (Soupy Sales; The Funk Brothers), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2022) [1]
• 1929-01-05 Wilbert Harrison, American R&B singer ("Kansas City"; "Let's Work Together"), born in Charlotte, North Carolina (d. 1994)
• 1929-06-09 Johnny Ace [John Marshall Alexander, Jr.], rhythm and blues singer ("My Song"), born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 1954)
• 1929-07-27 Harvey Fuqua, American R&B singer-songwriter (The Moonglows - "Sincerely"), producer (Marvin Gaye), and record label executive (Motown), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 2010)
• 1929-12-03 Clarence Ford, American jazz and R&B clarinet and saxophone player, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1994)

• 1929-12-25 Chris Kenner, R&B singer (I Like it Like That), born in Kenner, Louisiana (d. 1976)
• 1931-07-11 Thurston Harris, American R&B and pop vocalist (The Sharps - "Little Bitty Pretty One"), born in Indianapolis, Indiana (d. 1990)
• 1932-02-28 Rocky Dijon [Kwasi Dzidzornu] Ghanaian rock and R&B percussionist (The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal, Stevie Wonder), born in British Gold Coast colony, Africa (d. 1993)
• 1932-06-02 Sammy Turner, American pop and R&B singer ("Lavender Blue"; "Always"), born in Patterson, New Jersey
• 1932-11-15 Clyde McPhatter, American R&B and doo-wop tenor vocalist, arranger and songwriter (The Dominos, 1950-53 - "Sixty Minute Man"; The Drifters, 1953-55 -"Honey Love"; solo - "Treasure My Love"), born in Durham, North Carolina (d. 1972)
• 1933-01-24 Zeke Carey, American doo-wop and R&B singer (The Flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes For You"), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 1999)
• 1933-02-03 Varetta Dillard, American R&B singer ("Mercy, Mr. Percy"; "Easy, Easy Baby"; "Johnny Has Gone"), and civil rights activist, born in Harlem, New York City (d. 1993) [1]
• 1933-02-22 Ernie K-Doe [Ernest Kador Jr.], American R&B singer ("Mother-in-Law"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2001)
• 1933-03-05 Tommy Tucker [Robert Higginbotham], American R&B singer-songwriter, and piano player ("Hi-Heel Sneakers"), born in Springfield, Ohio (d. 1982)
• 1933-03-09 Lloyd Price, American R&B singer ("Lawdy Miss Clawdy"; "Stagger Lee"; "Personality"), born in Kenner, Louisiana (d. 2021) [1]
• 1933-04-27 Calvin Newborn, American R&B and jazz guitarist, born in Whiteville, Tennessee (d. 2018)
• 1933-07-16 Sollie McElroy, American R&B singer (The Flamingos. 1953-54 - "Golden Teardrops"), born in Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi (d. 1995)
• 1934-01-26 Huey "Piano" Smith, American R&B pianist ("Rockin' Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu"; "Having a Good Time"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2023) [1]
• 1934-02-16 Ted Taylor, American gospel and R&B-singer ("Be Ever Wonderful"), born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, (d. 1987)
• 1934-05-14 Grady Gaines, American jazz, blues, and R&B tenor saxophonist (Little Richard; Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson), born in Waskom, Texas (d. 2021)
• 1934-06-15 Ruby Nash Curtis [Garnett], American pop and R&B singer (Ruby and the Romantics - "Our Day Will Come"; "Hey There Lonely Boy"), born in Akron, Ohio
• 1934-06-16 Little Caesar [Carl Burnett], American pop and R&B vocalist (Little Caesar & the Romans - "Those Oldies but Goodies (Remind Me of You)"), born in the USA
• 1934-07-16 Denise LaSalle [Ora Denise Allen], American blues and R&B singer recognized as the "Queen of the Blues" (Trapped by a Thing Called Love), born in Leflore County, Mississippi (d. 2018)
• 1934-08-29 Gene Allison, American R&B-singer ("You Can Make It If You Try"), born in Pegram, Tennessee (d. 2004)

• 1934-12-25 McKinley Mitchell, American gospel, blues, and R&B singer ("The Town I Live In"), born in Jackson, Mississippi (d. 1986)
• 1935-02-03 Johnny "Guitar" Watson, American R&B and funk guitarist ("Space Guitar"; "A Real Mother for Ya"), born in Houston, Texas (d. 1996)
• 1935-05-10 Larry Williams, American R&B singer-songwriter ("Dizzy, Miss Lizzie"; "Slow Down"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1980)
• 1935-10-12 Sam Moore, American R&B and soul vocalist (Sam & Dave - "Soul Man"), born in Miami, Florida
• 1935-10-16 Sugar Pie DeSanto [Peylia Marsema Balinton], American R&B singer ("Soulful Dress"), born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1935-11-12 (Isiah Terry) "Buzzy" Johnson, American R&B singer (Flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes For You"), born in Baltimore, Maryland
• 1935-12-23 Esther Phillips [Jones], American R&B singer ("What A Diff'rence A Day Makes"), born in Galveston, Texas (d. 1984)
• 1936-01-29 James Jamerson, American session pop and R&B bass guitarist (Motown Records), born in Edisto, South Carolina (d. 1983)
• 1936-01-31 Marvin Junior, American R&B baritone singer (The Dells - "Oh What a Nite"), born in Harold, Arkansas (d. 2013)
• 1936-03-24 Don Covay [Randolph], American R&B musician and songwriter ("Chain of Fools"), born in Orangeburg, South Carolina (d. 2015)
• 1936-04-10 Bobby Smith, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2013 - "Working My Way Back To You"), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2013)
• 1936-04-17 Pete Graves [Alexander Walton], American pop and R&B vocalist (The Moonglows - "Blue Velvet"), born in Jemison, Alabama (d. 2006)
• 1936-05-14 Charlie Gracie [Graci], American rock pioneer, rhythm and blues singer, and guitarist ("Butterfly"; "Fabulous"), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2022) [1]
• 1936-06-19 Shirley Goodman, American R&B and disco singer (Shirley & Lee - "Feels So Good"; Shirley & Company - "Shame, Shame, Shame"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2005)
• 1936-09-07 Joe Simon, American soul and R&B singer ("Power of Love"), born in Simmesport, Louisiana (d. 2021)
• 1936-11-01 [Zephire] Andre Williams, American R&B musician ("Shake a Tail Feather"; "Jailbait"), born in Bessemer, Alabama (d. 2019)
• 1936-11-14 Cornell Gunter, American R&B singer (The Coasters - "Poison Ivy"; "Yakety-Yak"), born in Coffeyville, Kansas (d. 1990)
• 1937-01-06 Doris Troy [Higginsen], American R&B singer and songwriter ("Just One Look"), born in the Bronx, New York (d. 2004)
• 1937-01-21 (Fird) "Snooks" Eaglin, American blues and R&B guitarist and singer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2009)

• 1937-02-20 Nancy Wilson, American Grammy Award-winning R&B and jazz vocalist ("Guess Who I Saw Today"; "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am"), and actress, born in Chillicothe, Ohio (d. 2018)
• 1937-03-19 Clarence "Frogman" Henry, American R&B pianist and singer ("Ain't Got No Home"; "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2024) [1]
• 1937-03-24 Billy Stewart, American R&B singer ("I Do Love You"; "Summertime"), born in Washington, D.C. (d. 1970)
• 1937-07-22 Chuck Jackson, American pop and R&B singer ("Any Day Now"; "I Don't Want to Cry"; "I Keep Forgettin'"), born in Latta, South Carolina (d. 2023)
• 1937-09-04 Gene Ludwig, American jazz and R&B Hammond B-3 organist (Sonny Stitt, Arthur Prysock), born in Twin Rocks, Pennsylvania (d. 2010)
• 1937-10-23 Yvonne Staples, American gospel and R&B singer (The Staple Singers), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2018)
• 1937-11-14 Joseph Billingslea, Jr., American R&B singer (The Contours - "Do You Love Me"), born in Hamtramck, Michigan
• 1937-11-15 William "Little Willie" John, American R&B singer ("Fever"; "Leave My Kitten Alone"), born in Cullendale, Arkansas (d. 1968)
• 1937-12-17 Art Neville, American funk and R&B singer, keyboard player, and songwriter (Neville Brothers; The Funky Meters), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2019)
• 1938-02-22 Bobby Hendricks, American R&B singer (Itchy Twitchy Feeling), born in Columbus, Ohio
• 1938-03-13 Erma Franklin, American gospel and R&B singer ("Piece Of My Heart"), born in Shelby, Mississippi (d. 2002)
• 1938-04-09 Rockin' Sidney [Simien], American zydeco and R&B singer-songwriter, accordionist, guitarist, organist, and harmonica player ("My Toot-Toot"; "You Ain't Nothing But Fine"), born in Lebeau, Louisiana (d. 1998)
• 1938-05-04 Tyrone Davis, American R&B singer ("Can I Change My Mind"; "Turn Back The Hands Of Time"), born in Greenville, Mississippi (d. 2005)
• 1938-05-05 Johnnie Taylor, American R&B and multi-genre singer ("Disco Lady"; "I Believe In You"), born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas (d. 2000)
• 1938-05-10 Henry Fambrough, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2023 - "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love?"; "The Rubberband Man"), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2024) [1] [2]
• 1938-05-17 Pervis Jackson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2008 - "Games People Play"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2008)

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• 2004-06-20 American former NFL running back Eddie George (30) weds American R&B "SWV" singer Tamara Johnson (33) at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, New Jersey
• 2005-01-08 American rapper and actor Nas (32) weds R&B singer Kelis (25) at Morningside Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia; divorce in 2010

• 2011-05-22 American R&B singer Keyshia Cole (28) weds NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Daniel Gibson (25) in Cleveland, Ohio; divorce in 2017
• 2012-06-18 R&B singer Bobby Brown (43) weds Alicia Etheridge in Honolulu, Hawaii
• 2016-02-20 American R&B singer Ne-Yo (36) weds Crystal Renay Williams (29) at the Terranea Resort, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; divorce in 2023

• 2020-08-29 American actress Niecy Nash (50) weds American R&B singer Jessica Betts (38)

• 2004-04-27 Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry files for divorce from her second husband, R&B singer Eric Benet, six months after the couple separated

• 2010-05-21 American rapper and actor Nas (37) divorces American R&B singer Kelis (31) after 5 years of marriage

Deaths 1 - 100 of 162

• 1954-12-25 Johnny Ace, American rhythm and blues singer, accidentally shoots himself in the head at 25
• 1963-12-14 Dinah Washington [Ruth Lee Jones], American jazz, blues, pop, and R&B singer ("What a Diff'rence a Day Makes": "September In The Rain"), dies of sleeping pill overdose at 39
• 1966-09-28 (Lucius) "Lucky" Millinder, American swing and rhythm-and-blues bandleader (Rosetta Tharpe; Who Threw The Whiskey in the Well), dies of a liver ailment at 56
• 1966-10-07 Smiley Lewis [Overton Amos Lemons], American R&B singer, and guitarist ("The Bells Are Ringing"; "One Night (Of Sin)"; "I Hear You Knocking"), dies of stomach cancer at 46
• 1966-11-26 Harold Burrage, American R&B singer, pianist, and songwriter ("Got to Find a Way; "Hi, Ho Silver"), dies of heart failure at 35
• 1967-12-10 Phalin Jones, American soul and R&B saxophonist (The Bar-kays - "Soul Finger"), dies in Otis Redding plane crash in Lake Monona, Wisconsin at 19
• 1967-12-10 Ron Caldwell, American soul and R&B keyboardist (The Bar-kays - "Soul Finger"), dies in Otis Redding plane crash in Lake Monona, Wisconsin at 18
• 1968-05-26 William "Little Willie" John, American R&B singer ("Fever"; "Leave My Kitten Alone"), dies in prison while serving a sentence for manslaughter at 30
• 1969-06-14 Wynonie Harris, American rhythm and blues singer, dies of cancer at 53
• 1969-10-16 Leonard Chess [Lejzor Czyż], Polish-American blues and R&B record company executive (Chess Records), dies at 52
• 1969-10-23 Tommy Edwards, American R&B singer-songwriter ("It's All In The Game"), dies from complications of cirrhosis of the liver at 47
• 1970-01-24 James "Shep" Shepherd, American R&B singer-songwriter (The Heartbeats - "One Thousand Miles"; Shep & Limelites - "Daddy's Home"), beaten to death in a robbery at 34
• 1971-07-04 Don McPherson, American R&B singer (The Main Ingredient - "Everybody Plays the Fool"), dies of leukemia at 29
• 1972-01-23 Big Maybelle [Mabel Smith], American R&B singer (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On; Candy), dies from complications of diabetes at 47
• 1972-06-13 Clyde McPhatter, American R&B and doo-wop tenor vocalist, arranger and songwriter (The Dominos, 1950-53 - "Sixty Minute Man"; TheDrifters, 1953-55 - "Honey Love"; solo - "Treasure My Love"), dies at 39
• 1973-10-09 Sister Rosetta Tharpe [Nubin], American gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, and electric guitarist ("This Train"; "Down By The Riverside"), dies of a stroke at 58

• 1974-03-09 Harry Womack, American gospel and R&B singer and bassist (Womack Brothers; The Valentinos - "It's All Over Now"), stabbed to death by his girlfriend at 28
• 1974-05-08 Graham Bond, British R&B musician, dies jumping under a train at 36
• 1974-11-08 Ivory Joe Hunter "The Baron of the Boogie", American R&B singer, piano player, and songwriter ("Since I Met You Baby"), dies of lung cancer at 60
• 1976-01-28 Chris Kenner, American R&B singer-songwriter (I Like it Like That), dies at 46
• 1976-02-22 Florence Ballard, American pop and R&B singer (The Supremes, 1959-67 - "Buttered Popcorn"; "Where Did Our Love Go"), dies of a heart attack at 32
• 1977-05-26 William Powell, American R&B singer (O'Jays - "Love Train"; "Backstabbers"), dies of cancer at 35
• 1980-01-03 Amos Milburn, American R&B singer and pianist, dies at 52
• 1980-01-07 Larry Williams, American R&B singer-songwriter ("Dizzy, Miss Lizzie"; "Slow Down"), dies of a gunshot wound to the head at 44
• 1981-05-25 Roy Brown, American R&B singer, songwriter ("Good Rockin' Tonight"), dies of a heart attack at 55
• 1982-01-22 Tommy Tucker [Robert Higginbotham], American R&B singer-songwriter, and piano player ("Hi-Heel Sneakers"), dies due to a poorly ventilated home improvement project at 48
• 1983-08-01 "Wild Bill" Moore, American R&B and jazz tenor saxophone player ("We're Gonna Rock, We're Gonna Roll": Marvin Gaye's "Mercy, Mercy Me"), dies at 65
• 1984-07-25 Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, American rhythm-and-blues singer and songwriter ("Hound Dog"; "Ball & Chain"; "Stronger Than Dirt"), dies of heart and liver disorders at 57
• 1985-06-25 Connie "Pee Wee" Crayton, American R&B and blues guitarist and singer ("Do Unto Others"), dies of a heart attack at 70
• 1985-09-15 (Charles) "Cootie" Williams, American jazz, jump-blues, and R&B trumpeter (Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1929-40 & 1962-74), dies of kidney problems at 74
• 1985-11-24 "Big" Joe Turner, American blues and R&B singer ("Shake, Rattle and Roll"), dies of heart failure at 74

• 1986-12-01 [Irving] Lee Dorsey, American pop and R&B singer (Working in the Coal Mine), dies at 61
• 1987-01-15 Dolores Hawkins, American R&B singer ("Rocks in My Bed"; "A Kiss Before Dying"), dies at 58
• 1987-06-08 Yogi Horton, American R&B and funk drummer (Luther Vandross), commits suicide at 33
• 1987-06-24 (Lionel) "Linc" Chamberland, American R&B and jazz-fusion guitarist, dies of leukemia at 46
• 1987-11-22 Ted Taylor, American R&B singer ("Stay Away From My Baby"), dies in a car crash at 58
• 1988-04-09 Dave Prater, American R&B singer and musician (Sam & Dave - "Soul Man"), dies in a car crash at 50
• 1988-07-02 Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, American blues, jazz, and R&B alto saxophonist, dies of a heart attack at 70
• 1988-10-25 Johnnie Richardson, American R&B musician (Johnnie & Joe), dies at 53
• 1989-03-04 Lloyd "Tiny" Grimes, American jazz and R&B guitarist (Art Tatum), dies of meningitis at 72
• 1989-04-22 Benjamin "Bull Moose" Jackson, American R&B saxophone player and singer ("Hurry, Hurry"), dies at 70
• 1989-12-03 Jimmy Shirley, American jazz and R&B electric guitarist, and early proponent of the Vibrola vibrato arm ("whammy bar"), dies at 76
• 1990-03-23 Al Sears, American jazz and R&B saxophonist (Duke Elllington Orchestra; Johnny Hodges - "Castle Rock"), dies at 80
• 1990-08-22 "Boogie" Bill Webb, American Louisiana blues and R&B guitarist, singer and songwriter ("Bad Dog"), dies at 66
• 1992-04-12 Joe Medwick, American R&B singer, and songwriter ("Further On Up The Road"), dies at 61
• 1992-11-14 George Adams, American jazz and R&B tenor saxophonist and flautist (Charles Mingus; Gil Evans; McCoy Tyner; Adams/Pullen Quartet), dies at 52

• 1993-03-13 Rocky Dijon [Kwasi Dzidzornu] Ghanaian rock and R&B percussionist (The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal, Stevie Wonder), dies at 61
• 1993-05-16 Marv Johnson, American R&B pianist, songwriter, and singer ("You Got What It Takes"; "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains"), dies of a stroke at 54
• 1993-10-04 Varetta Dillard, American R&B singer ("Mercy, Mr. Percy"; "Easy, Easy Baby"; "Johnny Has Gone"), and civil rights activist, dies of cancer at 60 [1]
• 1994-04-07 Lee Brilleaux, British R&B singer, harmonica player, and guitarist (Dr. Feelgood), dies of lymphoma at 41
• 1994-10-26 Wilbert Harrison, American R&B singer ("Kansas City"), dies at 65
• 1994-11-22 L V Johnson, American session soul and R&B guitarist and Chicago blues singer-songwriter ("Don't Cha Mess with My Money, My Honey or My Woman"), dies at 47
• 1995-01-15 Sollie McElroy, American R&B singer (The Flamingos. 1953-54 - "Golden Teardrops"), dies at 61
• 1995-02-23 Melvin Franklin (né English), American R&B bass vocalist (The Temptations, 1960-94 - "Ball of Confusion"), dies of heart failure at 52
• 1995-04-19 "King" Herbert Whitaker, American R&B tenor saxophonist, dies at 66
• 1995-05-06 Leonard "Red" Truss, American R&B singer (The Steelers - "Get It From The Bottom"), dies at 47
• 1995-08-16 Robert "Bobby" Debarge, R&B Musician, dies of AIDS at 39
• 1996-05-17 Johnny "Guitar" Watson, American R&B and funk guitarist ("Space Guitar"; "A Real Mother for Ya"), dies on stage of heart attack in Yokohama, Japan at 61
• 1997-03-10 (Dolores) LaVern Baker [Evans], American pop and R&B vocalist ("Jim Dandy"; "I Cried A Tear"), dies of cardiovascular disease at 67
• 1997-03-17 Jermaine Stewart, American R&B singer (We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off), dies of cancer at 37
• 1997-03-24 Harold Melvin, American soul and R&B singer (The Blue Notes - "If You Don't Know Me By Now"), dies at 57
• 1997-06-21 Arthur Prysock, American jazz and R&B singer ("I Didn't Sleep a Wink Last Night"; "In The Rain"), dies at 68 or 73 [birth year disputed]
• 1998-02-25 Rockin' Sidney [Simien], American zydeco and R&B singer-songwriter, accordionist, guitarist, organist, and harmonica player ("My Toot-Toot"; "You Ain't Nothing But Fine"), dies of throat cancer at 59
• 1998-05-26 Linda Hayes [Bertha Williams], American R&B singer (Yes I Know), dies at 74
• 1998-05-31 Frank Motley, American R&B and jazz double-trumpeter and bandleader (The Motley Crew), dies at 74

• 1998-09-10 Vernon Guy, American R&B and gospel singer (Cool Sounds; Sharpees), dies in a car accident at 53
• 1999-04-01 Jesse Stone, American R&B pianist, songwriter (Shake, Rattle and Roll), arranger, and record producer, dies at 97
• 1999-05-01 (Edwin) Eddie Chamblee, American jazz and R&B saxophonist, bandleader, and occasional vocalist, dies at 79
• 1999-12-24 Zeke Carey, American R&B singer (The Flamingos - "Goodnight Sweetheart"; "I Only Have Eyes For You"), dies of a heart attack at 66
• 2000-05-23 Marcus Hutson, American R&B singer (The Whispers - "And the Beat Goes On"; "Rock Steady"), dies of prostate cancer at 57
• 2000-05-31 Johnnie Taylor, American R&B and multi-genre singer ("Disco Lady"; "I Believe In You"), dies at 66
• 2000-07-20 Mabel Scott, American gospel and R&B vocalist (Boogie Woogie Santa Claus), dies at 85
• 2000-12-27 Jack McVea, American swing jazz, and R&B clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader, dies at 86
• 2001-07-05 Ernie K-Doe [Ernest Kador Jr.], American R&B singer ("Mother-in-Law"), dies of kidney failure and cirrhosis of the liver at 68
• 2001-12-15 Rufus Thomas, American vaudevillian, singer-songwriter, and R&B musician known as "Mr. Swing" ("Walking the Dog", "Do the Funky Chicken"), dies of heart failure at 84
• 2002-07-11 Rosco Gordon, American R&B pianist, singer, and songwriter ("Booted"; "No More Doggin'"), dies of a heart attack at 74
• 2002-09-07 Erma Franklin, American gospel and R&B singer ("Piece Of My Heart"), dies at 64
• 2003-04-02 (Charles) Edwin Starr [Hatcher], American soul and R&B singer ("War"), dies of a heart attack at 61
• 2003-04-17 Earl King, American R&B and blues guitarists, singer, and songwriter ("Come On"; "Big Chief"), dies from diabetes-related complications at 69
• 2004-02-16 Doris Troy [Higginsen], American R&B singer and songwriter ("Just One Look"), dies from emphysema at 67
• 2004-02-28 Gene Allison, American R&B singer ("You Can Make It If You Try"), dies at 69
• 2005-02-09 Tyrone Davis, American R&B singer ("Can I Change My Mind"; "Turn Back The Hands Of Time"), dies of complications from a stroke at 66
• 2005-07-05 Shirley Goodman, American R&B and disco singer (Shirley & Lee - "Feels So Good"; Shirley & Company - "Shame, Shame, Shame"), dies at 69
• 2005-11-27 Joe Jones, American R&B singer (b. 1926)

• 2006-01-08 Otis Clay, American gospel, soul, and R&B-singer ("That's How It Is (When You're In Love)"), dies at 73

• 2006-01-27 Gene McFadden, American R&B singer-songwriter and producer (McFadden & Whitehead - "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"), dies of lung cancer at 56 [1]
• 2006-04-11 June Pointer, American pop and R&B singer (The Pointer Sisters -"Fire"; "He's So Shy"; "Jump (For My Love)'; "Slow Hand"), dies of cancer at 52
• 2006-10-15 Pete Graves [Alexander Walton], American pop and R&B vocalist (The Moonglows - "Blue Velvet"), dies at 70
• 2006-11-26 Enrique Antonio "Tony" Silvester, Panamanian-American R&B singer-songwriter (The Main Ingredient - "Everybody Plays the Fool"), dies of multiple myeloma at 65
• 2007-02-02 Billy Henderson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2004 - "The Rubberband Man"), dies from complications of diabetes at 67
• 2007-03-19 Luther Ingram, American R&B singer-songwriter ("(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right"; "I'll Be Your Shelter"), dies of diabetes related heart failure at 69
• 2007-06-01 Tony Thompson, American singer-songwriter in R&B group Hi-Five, dies at 31
• 2007-06-08 Nellie Lutcher, American jazz and R&B singer, pianist, and songwriter (He's a Real Gone Guy), dies at 94
• 2007-06-18 Georges Thurston, Canadian R&B and reggae musician and singer (Boule Noire), dies of cancer at 55
• 2007-10-19 Yolanda "LaLa" Brown, American R&B singer, shot and killed by an unknown gunman at a Milwaukee recording studio at 21
• 2008-08-15 Jerry Wexler, American music producer who coined the term "rhythm and blues" (Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan), dies from congestive heart failure at 91
• 2008-08-18 Pervis Jackson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2008 - "Games People Play"), dies of brain and liver cancer at 70
• 2008-09-07 Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, American R&B and soul pianist, bandleader, songwriter, and record producer, dies of congestive heart failure at 69
• 2008-11-01 Nathaniel Mayer, American R&B singer ("Village of Love"; "Leave Me Alone"), dies after multiple strokes at 64

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