My Kind Of Music VI...Pop Groups Of The 60's and 70's

I'm attempting to introduce you to a few of my favorite groups. In the space allowed I can only list a few, so sit back and enjoy.

The 5th Dimension is an American Popular music vocal group whose music genres are R&B, Soul, and Jazz. The group was best known during the late 60's and early 70's, for such hits as "Up Up and Away," Wedding Bell Blues," Stoned Soul Picnic," "One Less Bell To Answer," and the most popular "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In."

Originally Lamonte McLemore and Marilyn McCoo with two others formed a group called the HiFi's, which dissolved, but the two stayed together and formed the now popular 5th Dimension with, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, and Ron Townson.

As of 1975 the original group disbanded, however Ms. McCoo and Mr. Davis married and formed a duo and had at least one No. 1 hit, "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show." Although I didn't find an official website, there's more information on the group in Wikipedia under The 5th Dimension

Maybe I'm stretching it a bit calling The Carpenters a group, because they were a duo, actually a brother and sister duo. The soothing melodic voice of Karen Carpenter was in my opinion, at the time second to none. Richard and Karen Carpenter were born to Harold and Agnes Carpenter in New Haven Connecticut, they later moved to Downey, California, a suburb of Los Angles, California, USA.

The duo had a 14 year career, during which time they recorded 11 albums, five of these contained top 10 singles. In the same time period they had five television specials and one television series, that was unfortunately short-lived. Sadly their recording career ended with Karen's untimely death in 1983 from cardiac arrest due to complications of anorexia nervosa. Even with Karen gone, the music still lives on for all to enjoy. For more information check out their website, The Carpenters.

The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, "Motown," that rose to fame in the 1960, with such hits as, "My Girl, Ain't To Proud To Bet, Get Ready," and many many more well known hits.

The original Temptations group consisted of, David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Eddie Kendricks. Although the group had many names before gaining fame as the Temptations, it's that name that most of us are familiar with. The group's music genres are, R&B, soul, doo wop and funk. As of 2010 Otis Williams is the only remaining one original of the five still performing as "The Temptations."

During the course of their career the Temptations had four Billboard Hot 100's number one singles, and 14 Billboard R&B number one singles. Other accolades include three Grammy Awards, and a Grammy Award for songwriters and producers who helped make the 1972 hit "Papa Was a Rollin Stone." Speaking of Grammys, the Temptations were the first Motown group to ever receive a Grammy. Of course, there were more awards too numerous to list here, for more information check them out on Wikipedia.

Daryl Hall and John Oats are American duo, who came to fame in the late 70's and early 80's with hits like, "Sara Smiles, Private Eyes, I Can't Go For That, (No Can Do), Maneater," and more. Their genres are, New Wave, psychedelic rock, pop rock and blue eyed soul. They had 6 No 1 hits on Billboard Hot 100.

Daryl Hall's birth name is Daryl Franklin Hohl, and John Oates was born John William Oats. The two met at the Adelphi Ballroom in Philadelphia in 1967, while appearing for a band competition, each was heading his own musical group. The duo last reached the pop charts top 40 in 1990 at which time they slowly faded from public view. However their music can be heard regularly on many of the oldie stations. This is the kind of music my kids were ashamed to let their friends hear me play on the car radio, but now they are fans as well. As a matter of fact my 27 year old daughter sought out and found their Cd and regularly listens while she drives.

For more information on what the duo is doing check out their website, (Hall and Oats). In addition, for an in depth look at their career, check them out on Wikipedia.

The Miracles and Smokey Robinson is an American rhythm and blues group, from Detroit Michigan, specifically with Barry Gordy's Motown. The group was popular during the mid 60's and early 80's, for such hits as, "Shop Around, Tears of a Clown, Tracks of My Tears, You Really Got a Hold on Me," and many, many more. The Miracles had a successful 19 year run on the American music chart, charting over 50 hits. Their music genres are, R&B and Soul.

The Miracles had twenty-six songs reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including four R&B number ones. Sixteen of their songs reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, seven of which reached the Top Ten and two reaching number-one.

Smokey was not only the lead vocalist, from 1965 to 1972, he was also the major songwriter for the group. He's said to be one of the most successful songwriters, and record producers of all time. For more information on their bio, check them out on Wikipedia, The Miracles.

These are but a few of the groups I've enjoyed listening to, I hope you enjoyed them as well.