While family act The Staple Singers were not technically a girl group, their vocals were often driven by female lead Mavis who was backed by sisters Yvonne and Celotha. Their guttural gospel styling was the perfect platform for venturing into soul, R&B and funk.
Original members: Roebuck "Pops" Staples and children Cleotha, Pervis, Yvonne and Mavis
Founded: 1948
Hometown: Chicago
Read More »from Eric Benet On The Staple Singers: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Martha & The VandellasBefore settling on the name Martha & The Vandellas, the group had two record deals prior to finding a home on Motown's Gordy imprint. The act had a much grittier vocal styling than other sweet, sounding Motown girl groups such as The Supremes.
Original Motown lineup: Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard and Martha Reeves
Previously Known As: The Del-Phis, The Vels
Founded: 1960
Hometown: Detroit
Biggest Hits: "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave," "Nowhere To Run," "Jimmy Mack" and "Dancing In The Street"
Style: Soul, doo wop, blues, rock
Label: Checker Records, Checkmate Records, Gordy
Read More »from Martha & The Vandellas: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Beyonce, Jay-Z, Gwyneth (photo: Dave M. Bennett, Getty Images)Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has come under attack for using the N-word when referring to a photo of two of her African American friends Jay-Z and Beyonce.
When partying on stage with the couple during a Jay-Z and Kanye Watch The Throne stop in Paris Friday, Paltrow tweeted a photo with the message, "Ni**as in paris for real @mrteiusnash (the dream) tyty, beehigh."
[Related: Coldplay's 'Princess Of China' Would Have Been Perfect For Rihanna And Chris Brown]
Many who took offense to Paltrow using the derogatory term slammed her online. Amanda Seales called Paltrow's comment "wreckless." A post on popular African American blog site, Bossip.com, said "Gwyneth might be getting a little too comfortable around her black friends …"
On Sunday, Paltrow defended using the word. "Hold up. It's the title of the song!" she said in response to a post from blogger B. Scott.
Read More »from Jay-Z And Kanye To Blame For Gwyneth Paltrow’s Use Of N-Word
The MarvelettesThough The Marvelettes only came in fourth place in their high school talent show, they were good enough to impress the executives at Motown Records. When they were asked to return with an original song, they delivered "Please Mr. Postman." The song secured their recording deal.
Original members: Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart and Georgia Dobbins
Founded: 1960
Hometown: Inkster, Michigan
Biggest Hits: "Please Mr. Postman," "Don't Mess With Bill," "Beechwood 4-5789,"
"Too Many Fish In The Sea"
Style: Soul, doo wop
Label: Tamla Motown
Read More »from The Marvelettes: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Rihanna, Chris MartinIt's hard not to love Rihanna and Chris Brown's "Birthday Cake." It thrives on explosive, sexual energy. The party hand claps compliment the sound effects of racing lasers, and the wrong-ness of the stars of the most publicized fallout of the last 10 years reuniting on record to recount their carnal past is a part of the song's guilty pleasure appeal.
Considering their domestic violence backstory, it would have been cooler if Rihanna and Chris Brown had taken the path Rihanna did with Coldplay on "Princess Of China." In the song from British band's "Mylo Xyloto" album, Chris Martin and Rihanna sing about a relationship gone bad.
"I could've been a princess, you'd be a king. Could've had a castle, and wore a ring. But noooo, you let me goooo!" Rihanna sings.
Read More »from Coldplay’s ‘Princess Of China’ Would Have Been Perfect For Rihanna And Chris Brown
"Battlefield America Soundtrack Mixtape Volume 2"Marques Houston has released the four-song "Battlefield America Soundtrack Mixtape Volume 2."
[Related: "Battlefield America" child stars on making movie]
While the movie that opened in theaters Friday tells the story of inner city kids and their prep for an intense dance competition, this music collection produced by Jahill Beats is for grown folks, boasting pulsating hip hop ballads "If You Know," "Make Believe," "Never Lead You On" and "Cocky."
Read More »from Marques Houston Releases Music From ‘Battlefield America’
The RonettesThough the family act The Ronettes only released one studio album, "Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica," they made a mark as one of the most successful groups of the 1960s.
Original members: Sisters Veronica and Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley
Founded: 1959
Hometown: Spanish Harlem, New York
Read More »from The Ronettes: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
The ShirellesThe Shirelles are credited with popularizing the girl group sound of the 1960s, predating Motown's success with acts like The Supremes. The quartet was also the first girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."
Original members: Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie "Micki" Harris and Beverly Lee
Founded: 1957
Hometown: Passaic, New Jersey
Hits: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "Tonight's The Night," "Soldier Boy," "I Met Him On A Sunday"
Read More »from The Shirelles: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
The SupremesIn addition to scoring 12 No. 1 hits during the 1960s, The Supremes were also known for their poised, graceful and elegant image.
Original members: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown
Founded: 1959
Formerly Known As: The Primettes
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Biggest Hits: "Baby Love," "Stop In The Name Of Love," "Can't Hurry Love"
Style: Doo wop, pop, R&B
Label: Motown
Read More »from The Supremes: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Founding The Supremes member Mary Wilson said it took nearly five years for the legendary girl group to land a hit record. Though they formed in 1959 and eventually landed a deal on Detroit's Motown Records, they released more than a half a dozen singles before they scored a hit.
Feeling desperate, they asked Motown's in-house hit makers Holland-Dozier-Holland to write them something special.
Mary Wilson discusses "Where Did Our Love Go" at 14:15 mark:
Read More »from Mary Wilson On Being Dubbed ‘The No Hit Supremes’ And Never Liking Their First No. 1 Hit ‘Where Did Our Love Go’CHICAGO (AP) — An 87-year-old woman who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a skyscraper-condo sale told jurors Monday she had qualms about suing the real estate mogul and TV celebrity. But, she quickly added, "Somebody had to stand up to him."
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germans lamented their unexpectedly poor showing at the Eurovision Song Contest, blaming Chancellor Angela Merkel's tough stance in the euro zone crisis for their failure to win any points from 34 of the 39 countries voting. Denmark's Emmelie de Forest won the event, watched by around 125 million people across Europe, with 281 points while German act Cascada was 21st out of 26 countries, getting just 18 points from Austria, Israel, Spain, Albania and Switzerland. ...
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The latest high-stakes court hearing for O.J. Simpson in the glitzy capital of big gambles has come to a close with the former football star's defense team feeling confident that their client is closer to getting out of prison.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's sent a letter to Khloe Kardashian's (KLOH'-ee kar-DASH'-ee-uhnz) informing the reality star the logo on her T-shirt line may be violating copyright law.
Taylor Swift is red hot.
LONDON (Reuters) - Singer Prince has signed a new deal with Kobalt Music Group to market and distribute his future work without giving up control over his rights, the company said on Monday. The singer-songwriter, who is famed for changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol in a wrangle over musical rights, will release his own work as well as a slate of new music by other artists that he produces, Kobalt said. ...