Rickey Smiley Morning Show

Sam Cooke was one of soul music’s greatest talents. The “King of Soul” is largely credited with bridging the gap between pop and soul music using his roots in gospel to influence his formidable vocal talents. Cooke was born January 22, 1931 in Clarksdale, Miss. but was primarily raised in Chicago. As a young man, […]

If Gladys Knight has her way, the chicken and waffles restaurants that once carried her name won’t be using it much longer. The legendary singer has filed to distance herself from the chain of restaurants that her son, Shanga, allegedly ran into the ground. AJC.com reports: Soul music legend Gladys Knight is asking a judge […]

Rickey Smiley Morning Show

Bernie Worrell, an influential keyboardist who forged his sound while playing with George Clinton’s Parliament and Funkadelic bands, passed last Friday after battling stage four cancer. Mr. Worrell not only played with the legendary funk bands but toured with rock acts and more. Worrell was born April 19, 1944 in Long Branch, New Jersey. A […]

Ever since Prince and Muhammad Ali transitioned from the earthly realm within weeks of each other, the sentiment has been that because they were popular with people of all races, creeds, backgrounds and faiths, that they transcended race. Some posters on Prince.org, a site devoted to all things Prince, seemed offended to be reminded that […]

Rickey Smiley Morning Show

It wasn’t until my flight from Los Angeles touched down at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International, just after noon, that I let myself get excited. I was allowed: I’m certain I was the only person onboard who’d come to meet with Prince. October 1991. After more than a decade of hit singles, multi-platinum albums, sell-out concert tours, […]

How long does it take to build a reputation as one of the world’s greatest musicians? 37 years. How long does it take to tarnish…

Even though they hadn’t been a couple since the 80’s, the death of Denise ‘Vanity’ Matthews must have hit Prince pretty hard.Currently on tour in…

Diana Ross is a national treasure. And in 2016, she will grace us with her presence on the 2016 Fantastic Voyage, with a special performance…

Rihanna, watch out now. Just when you’d rightfully earned all the cool points for being the realest and funniest musician on Instagram, here comes Prince,…

Billie Holiday is one of the most influential singers of her era, a powerful jazz vocalist whose voice carried the emotions and burdens of her…