Old School Friday "RIP Donna Summer"

Happy Friday All!  This is the end of a long work week for some, the end of a tiring week for me, and time to slip into relaxation mode.  Unfortunately yesterday was the passing of a music icon.  Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco sadly succumbed to cancer on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Donna Summer, born LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948- May 17, 2012), received numerous awards such as 5 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, an NAACP Award, and many more.  Donna summer set the 70's disco era on fire with hits like, "Love To Love You Baby", "Hot Stuff", and "Bad Girls".  Her music was part of the soundtrack of my life, so I dedicate today's Old School Friday to Ms Donna Summer!!  Rest In Peace Donna Summer, you will be missed!  To learn more about Donna Summer go HERE, HERE, and HERE.




















Happy Friday All!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Nick Ashford"

Happy Friday All!!
Another week has come and gone and I pray that you were productive this week and successful in reaching your weekly goals!  Now it is time for the weekend. Some relaxation, some entertainment, or just some good music!!
Today would have been the 71 birthday of Nick Ashford.  Nick Ashford native of Fairfield, South Carolina, was one half of the power writing, producing , and singing duo of Ashford and Simpson.  This power husband and wife team were active in the music business from 1964-2011!  Ashford and Simpson wrote hits for people like Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Teddy Pendergrass, and Amy Winehouse, as well as writing a slew of Motown Hits.  Ashford and Simpson also sang their own hits such as "Solid", "Is It Still Good To Ya", "It Seems To Hang On" and others.  Ashford and Simpson have written numerous songs for television series, and movie soundtracks.  Nick Ashford died August 22, 2011 from complications of throat cancer.  He leaves behind, wife Valerie and two daughters.  Rest In Peace Nick Ashford, your phenomenal contribution to the world will never be forgotten! Find out more about Nick Ashford HERE and HERE.

Send It - Ashford & Simpson (my FAVORITE Ashford & Simpson song!)


It Seems To Hang On - Ashford & Simpson


Somebody Told A Lie - Ashford & Simpson



Solid - Ashford & Simpson (Their biggest commercial hit)


Peace & Love All!
Tell Your Loved Ones that you love them, tomorrow is not promised to any of us!
Regina

Old School Friday RIP Etta James

WOW!! This is my first Old School Friday post of 2012!  I watched 2 episodes of Unsung that I had on the DVR. One was Bobby Womack and the other was Atlantic Starr.  So my OSF post was going to be about them but then I woke up this morning to the news that Ms. Etta James had passed away, so I guess you know today is all about Ms. Etta!!  A legend is gone but her music will live on and on and on!

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938 in Los Angeles, California.  The SIX TIME Grammy winner and music legend died on January 20, 2012 from leukemia.  Ms. James was also diagnosed with hepatitis C and dementia.  To read more on the INCOMPARABLE Ms. Etta James, read HERE and HERE.

So today's Old School Friday post is dedicated in loving memory to Ms. Etta James!

This first selection is my absolute favorite Etta James song!
I'd Rather Go Blind


A Sunday Kind Of Love


Misty


Nobody Loves You Like Me


And last but certainly not least.   The quintessential wedding song!
At Last

Rest In Peace Etta James

January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2012

Old School Friday "RIP VESTA WILLIAMS"

Man oh man, what a week it has been. Full of highs and lows. I was going to skip Old School Friday today because I really did not feel like blogging today but then I saw on the Internet that VESTA WILLIAMS has died. Whoa. This woman had a BEAUTIFUL voice (not always the best writers but the voice was undeniable). This was one singer who was definitely Unsung, Under utilized, and Unappreciated. So of course I had to crank up YouTube and do Ms Vesta some justice for Old School Friday. To find out more about Vesta Williams go HERE and HERE. VESTA WILLIAMS (March 18, 1963 – September 22, 2011). I guess this means I will have to watch "Posse" some time this weekend...
RIP Vesta Williams ... gone but not forgotten,

Tell Me - Vesta (My Favorite Vesta song is from the movie "Posse")


Congratulations - Vesta (My second favorite Vesta song)


Special - Vesta

RIP VESTA...VESTA WILLIAMS
(March 18, 1963 – September 22, 2011)

Peace & Love
Regina

Regina's Family Seasons

Old School Friday "Otis Redding"

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!
Today is the birthday of none other than Mr. OTIS REDDING! Man, he belted out some smooth tunes! Some songs just NEVER get old and Ottis Redding was the singer of MANY OF THEM! Mr. Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia on September 9, 1941 and he died in tragic plane accident in Madison, Wisconsin on December 10, 1967. He was only 26 years old when he died. His song "Sitting On The Dock Of A Bay" was his last recorded song, and it game out in January 1968 (His only #1 hit). The song was actually unfinished because the whistling he did in the song was only a place holder for lyrics to be inserted later, but due to his death he never got the chance to finish it. I was 1 year old when Otis Redding died but I ABSOLUTELY love his music. I can only assume the love of Otis Redding came from my mother playing his music, but oddly enough my mom is not that big of an Otis fan. Hmmm, maybe my dad then??? Well, I do not know where my love of Otis Redding came from but it is in my bones!!
To learn more about Otis Redding (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967), go HERE and HERE!
So sit back and Enjoy!!!!

I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now - Otis Redding


These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding


Pain In My Heart - Otis Redding


Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding


Sitting On The Dock Of A Bay - Otis Redding


Happy Birthday OTIS REDDING!
Rest In Peace...

Regina

Old School Friday Gil Scott Heron Dies At 62

The below post from Friday April 1, 2011 is being RE-POSTED in honor of Gil Scott Heron who died today May 27, 2011. He celebrated his 62nd birthday last month but today he took his spoken word and went home to be with the Lord. He will be missed...

April 1, 2011 - Oooo, Yeaaaaa!!! Today is Friday!! Thanking God for my very life!...and for the Beautiful weather! LOL! So for Old School Friday, I am paying homage to Gil Scott Heron who is 62 years old today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIL SCOTT HERON!!! Mr. Heron is an African American Poet, Author, and Musician. He often spoke, wrote and sang about the struggles of African Americans in America. His works are often controversial but always VALID! When I think of spoken word performances I always think of Gill Scott Heron first. I grew up listening to his music and still listen today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILL SCOTT HERON!!! Continue your fight!

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron


The Bottle - Gil Scott Heron


I cannot post Gil Scott Heron without posting this next song... It used to make me cry all the time. It doesn't make me cry anymore but my throat does constrict and eyes still get a little moist, but it does make me pause and think of my dad...(RIP Samuel Thomas Spencer, I Love you daddy...)
Your Daddy Loves You - Gil Scott Heron




Happy Old School Friday All!
Love on Someone today!

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Tammi Terrell & Duke Ellington"

IT'S FRIDAY, IT'S FRIDAY, IT'S FRIDAY, YEAAAAA!!!! These weeks are flying by pretty fast! It feels like I just did an Old School Friday post and here I am doing another one! So, well today is the birthday of the Beautiful TAMMI TERRELL (may she Rest In Peace) as well as the Fabulous DUKE ELLINGTON! Man oh man, such talent in both of these people.

Thomasina Winifred Montgomery, also known as Tammi Terrell was gone much too soon. Terrell born April 29, 1945, was an African-American singer and song writer and was one half of some of the most BEAUTIFUL love ballad/duets of the 70's. Best known for her duets with Marvin Gaye, Tammi died March 16, 1970, from brain cancer at the tender young age of 24. Learn more about Tammi Terrell Here. TVOne's UNSUNG did an episode on Tammi Terrell, check it out HERE.

All I Do Is Think About You - Tammi Terrell (yea, I Like Stevie Wonder's version, but I LOVE Tammi's version!)


Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Tammi Terrell & Marvin Gaye


Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, simply known as Duke Ellington, was an African-American composer, pianist, and Big Band Leader. Duke Ellington, born April 29, 1899 was a cornerstone of jazz music! The 1930's-1940's was the era of Big Band music and Ellington was certainly essential not only to Big Band swing but to the Harlem Renaissance movement! Ellington won numerous awards, including Grammys in the Jazz genre and Grammys in the composing category. Ellington was also awarded an honorary PhD from the Berklee College of Music. Duke Ellington died from lung cancer and pneumonia on May 24, 1974, he was 75 years old. Learn more about Duke Ellington HERE and HERE!
I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, Big Band Swing music! Yes, I have a Big Band play list on my phone and my computer! I also have Duke Ellington CD!

Satin Doll - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra


Take The A Train - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra


How can you hear this and NOT be a fan????? This is CLASSIC!!!!

Have an AWESOME DAY! Enjoy the day that God has given us and do something WONDERFUL with it!

Peace & Love all!


http://reginasfamilyseasons.blogspot.com/

Old School Friday - The Late Great Teena Marie!

Happy Old School Friday!!!!!
We have made it through the first full week of 2011! WHEW...Deep sigh.

But alas, Near the end of 2010, on December 26th, 2010 to be exact, we lost one of the most beautiful voices of my era. Mary Christine Brockert better known to her fans as "Teena Marie or Lady T" was found dead by her daughter Alia Rose on Sunday Morning, the day after Christmas and also the day after Alia's birthday. She was 54 and STILL commanded an audience!! Rest In Peace Teena Marie... today's Old School Friday is dedicated to you!

There are SO MANY HITS of Lady T's that I grew up with, and that I could post but I do not want to post the regular stuff that people always hear. Even though the commercial songs made her a hit in the music biz like, Square Biz, Fire & Desire, Lover Girl and Oh LaLaLa. But I think I'll post some of the other songs we do not hear often... ENJOY!

My FAVORITE Rick & Teena duet is...

Happy - Teena Marie & Rick James


Once & Future Dream - Teena Marie & Rick James


We've Got To Stop (meeting like this) - Teena Marie & Ronnie McNeir


and to bring it home, a special impromptu performance!!(minutes 1:38-5:16)
Oh Baby Baby - Teena Marie & Howard Hewitt cover the Smokey Robinson classic!

Mary Christine Brockert, Teena Marie, Lady T

(March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010)
May you rest in peace... Gone but Not Forgotten.

Peace & Love All!

http://reginasfamilyseasons.blogspot.com/

Stormy Weather & Trouble Man's Marvin Gaye

Happy Friday All!
It is a rainy and dreary day here in Texas. The weather mirrors my mood musically today. My music mood is dark and stormy today. Today is the birthday of one my favorite musical artist, Mr. Marvin Gay"e" (He added the "e" to his name in his teen years). Being a lover of Old School Music means not just loving the music but understanding the artists of those times. For the black community the 60's & 70's were troubling times politically, racially and economically but one of the few places where black people excelled was musically. The 60's & 70's brought forth some of the BEST musical artists and hits of not only that time but for ALL time.
Marvin Gaye was one of those UNFORGETTABLE artists. He was an African - American singer, songwriter with a 3 octave vocal range! Unfortunately Marvin Gaye Jr was fatally shot by his father Marvin Gay Sr on April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th Birthday. Marvin had a voice that oozed sexuality and sensuality as evident in musical hits like "Come Get To This" & "Lets Get It On". He also lent his voice to the ongoing struggle of black people of that era as evident in hits like "Mercy, Mercy Me" & "Inner City Blues". But his voice was also an outlet that was more personal. Music was his escape from a troubling, hurtful and hateful life as evident in hits like "If I Should Die Tonight", "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" & "Here My Dear". Marvin Gaye was a product of child abuse, Religious Zealousness, and hatred from his father.
According to trutv.com:

"Living with father was something like living with a king, a very peculiar, changeable, cruel and all-powerful king," Marvin Gaye told biographer Ritz. "You were supposed to tip-toe around his moods. You were supposed to do anything to win his favor. I never did. Even though winning his love was the ultimate goal of my childhood, I defied him. I hated his attitude... If it wasn't for mother, who was always there to console me and praise my singing, I think I would have been one of those child suicides you read about in the papers."
Marvin Gaye had the love of his mother but his father and he had a terrible, volatile and hateful relationship.

According to Alberta Gay (mother of Marvin jr.) & Jeanne Gay (sister of Marvin jr) (via trutv.com):

Alberta Gay said, "My husband never wanted Marvin, and he never liked him. He used to say that he didn't think he was really his child. I told him that was nonsense. He knew Marvin was his. But for some reason he didn't love Marvin and, what worse, he didn't want me to love Marvin either. Marvin wasn't very old before he understood that."

Jeanne Gay said, "From the time he was 7 until he became a teenager, Marvin's life at home consisted of a series of brutal whippings."

His personal demons were further metastasized by drug addiction, porn addiction and paranoia. This formed Marvin Gaye into the troubled soul that we knew and loved. I just finished reading "the Life and Tragic Death of Motown's Marvin Gaye" on trutv.com. I had read most of this story before but it was still a very interesting read. Marvin Gaye is on my phone, mp3 and computer play-list and nothing that I read about his personal life and trials will change that. He would have been 71 years old today had he lived. He was indeed a very troubled soul, a prolific and very talented artist. He is sorely missed...

Rest In Peace, Marvin Pentz Gay Jr (Marvin Gaye) April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984

Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye

Come Get To This - Marvin Gaye

If I Should Die Tonight - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye Jr & Marvin Gay Sr - Interview

Still Missed Today...

Old School Friday #96 ~Ron Banks & The Dramatics~

Happy Friday Everyone! Welcome to Regina's Old School Friday Spot! The music was taking over my other blog so I felt it was only fitting that Old School Friday get it's own place!!
I did some running around today and am late posting but when I got back home I heard the disturbing news that Ronald Dean Banks the founding member of the 70's hit group "The Dramatics" died of a heart attack. He was 58 at the time of his death and was said to be in good health. Very sad and tragic...
So for me Today's theme is "Ron Banks & The Dramatics"

I do not often deviate from the chosen theme but today I think it is only fitting that I honor Ron Banks and the Dramatics for Old School Friday. Rest In Peace Ron Banks...Ronald Dean Banks - 1951-2010

Ms Grapevine and MsMarvalus have teamed up to create a meme titled Old School Friday. To join in the Old School Friday Fun go HERE for guidelines. We have lost A LOT of our Old School Colleagues so if I mistakenly removed you please let me know! Here are the other OSF Participants:

- Electronic Village -Pam - -

- Ms Grapevine -Nordette - CCG --

- Dallassouth - Regina -

MsMarvalus - Clnmike - Vivrant Thing

- SJP -Thembi - D Spot -

-Pop Art Diva - - MsLadyDeborah -

Hey You! Get Off My Mountain - The Dramatics


What You See Is What You Get - The Dramatics

Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
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~Be Blessed~

Old School Friday #91 ~Gone But Not Forgotten~!

Happy Friday Everyone! Welcome to Regina's Old School Friday Spot! The music was taking over my other blog so I felt it was only fitting that Old School Friday get it's own place!!
Today is a lovely day for music but then again EVERY DAY is a lovely day for music!!
Today's theme is "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN"!
You know, every now and then a voice comes along that is so melodious and so beautiful that it just gets stuck in your head and everytime you hear it you get instant beautiful memories! Well, for today's featured artists that is what I get, good memories whenever I hear these two beautiful voices. One is OLD school and one not so old, but both are Gone But Not Forgotten...

Ms Grapevine and MsMarvalus have teamed up to create a meme titled Old School Friday. To join in the Old School Friday Fun go HERE for guidelines. Here are the other OSF Participants:

- Electronic Village -Pam - pprscribe -

- Ms Grapevine - Pirouette -- Vérité Parlant

-Marty - iriegal --Hagar's Daughter - Lisa C

- DP - Dallassouth - - The Connoisseur -

- Regina - MsMarvalus - Clnmike - Vivrant Thing

-AJ - Sharon - RevvyRev - Prof. PC - Invisible Woman

-- Cooper - SJP -Bria - BklynQueen 86 - Hey Shae -

- From the Battlefield - Thembi - D Spot - Malcolm -

-Pop Art Diva - Pjazzypar - MsLadyDeborah -

This first lady has one of the most beautiful voices and unmatched talent I have ever heard. Her voice sounds effortless and reminds me of my childhood!
Poetry Man - Phoebe Snow


This next young lady had a beautiful voice and had talent untapped. She was gone much too soon...
The One I Gave My Heart To - Aaliyah


Miss You - Aaliyah

aaliyah.miss.you
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Happy Friday! Make Today Count...