Origin: Forrest City, AR

Decades: 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2000's

Al Green was the first great soul singer of the '70s and arguably the last great Southern soul singer. With his seductive singles for Hi Records in the early '70s, Green bridged the gap between deep soul and smooth Philadelphia soul. He incorporated elements of gospel, interjecting his performances with wild moans and wails, but his records were stylish, boasting immaculate productions that rolled along with a tight beat, sexy backing vocals, and lush strings. The distinctive Hi Records sound that the vocal... Read More

Otis Redding and Sam Cooke

D'Angelo, David Bowie, Luther Vandross, Prince, UB40, Terence Trent D'Arby, Babyface, Lionel Richie, Jeb Loy Nichols, Jai Uttal, Seal, Hall & Oates and Kevin Lyttle