Sister SledgeThe members of Sister Sledge released their debut single, "Time Will Tell," in 1971 when they were still teenagers, ranging in age from 12 to 16. At the time, they sounded like a female version of The Jackson 5. But their style matured drastically by the time of the release of their first album, 1975's "Circle Of Love."
Members: Kim, Debbie, Joni and Kathy Sledge
Founded: 1971
Read More »from Sister Sledge: Best Soul Girl Groups Countdown
Influenced by The Chantels and The Shirelles, Patti LaBelle And The Bluebelles found moderate success in the 1960s, singing sweet, doo-wop ballads. At the urging of various advisors, in the early 1970s the group began experimenting with harder-edge musical sounds and riskier styles of dress reminiscent of David Bowie and Elton John.
Paris Jackson, daughter of late King Of Pop Michael Jackson, discussed being the victim of bullying during Sunday's episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter."
Read More »from Paris Jackson, Victim Of Cyber-BullyingWhitney Houston's last movie "Sparkle" will be released in August and tells the story of three sisters from Detroit and their pursuit of singing careers. The remake of the 1976 film and another project, the "Dreamgirls" movie and play, are based, to some extent, on the story of The Supremes.
The Supremes member Mary Wilson has mixed feelings about the works. "I think it's wonderful to be emulated and liked so much that people want to do that," she said during part two of an exclusive video interview with Yahoo! Music to celebrate Black Music Month. "And I got to say that I adore 'Dreamgirls.' And though (the original) 'Sparkle' was very good, in fact, they have the new one coming out with Whitney Houston and Jordin, she's wonderful, too. But the thing is, Why didn't they make a story out of my book? It's a real story. A true story.
Read More »from Mary Wilson Of The Supremes On ‘Dreamgirls,’ ‘Sparkle,’ Diana Ross And Kelly RowlandPreacher's kids June, Bonnie, Anita and Ruth Pointer easily established themselves as one of the most successful music groups of the 1970s and 1980s. They also broke barriers for soul groups by being embraced in the country community for their Grammy Award winning song "Fairytale."
Original members: June, Bonnie, Anita and Ruth Pointer
Previously Known As: Pointers, A Pair
Founded: 1969
Hometown: Oakland
Read More »from Lenny Williams On The Pointer Sisters: Best Soul Girl Groups CountdownWhile 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 BrownNEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy.
By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC's "The Voice" will crown another winner on Tuesday night's finale. Season 4's three finalists - Daniellle Bradbury, Michelle Shamuel and The Swon Brothers - battled it out for the title on Monday's performance finale episode. Before the performances, coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher performed The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." The Top 16 then got together for the second group performance of the night on Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' "Home. ...
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It looks to be a baby girl for Kim Kardashian and her rapper boyfriend Kanye West. Or does it?
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Jenner says her daughter Kim Kardashian is thrilled to have a new baby girl.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Miss Utah Marissa Powell is the latest beauty queen to trip on national television, not over her gown, but during the interview segment.
By Eric Kelsey LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pitch-perfect teen country singer Danielle Bradbery won TV singing contest "The Voice" on Tuesday, scoring a contract with Universal Music Group and a $100,000 cash prize. Bradbery, who was coached by fellow country singer Blake Shelton, covered her mouth and began to cry when named the winner, hugging runner-up Michelle Chamuel. "I'm so thankful," the 16-year-old Texan said. "I'm sorry, I'm speechless. ...