DONNA SUMMER R.I.P
We are sad to report the death of Donna Summer on May 17, 2012, aged 63 after a battle with cancer. She was born Donna Gaines on December 31, 1948 in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Mass., one of seven children, and began singing in the church at a young age. In her teens, she formed several musical groups including one with her sister and a cousin, imitating Motown girl groups.
While working as a background singer in the 1970s she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Belotte, and in 1975 approached Moroder with an idea for a song which was to become "Love to Love You, Baby". Although some radio stations refused to play it due to its suggestive style, the disc found chart success in several European countries, and made the UK Top 5. The track was then submitted to Neil Bogart at Casablanca Records- and the rest is history! Donna Summer is survived by her husband Bruce Sudano, their daughters Brooklyn and Amanda, as well as her daughter Mimi from her previous marriage.
CHUCK BROWN R.I.P
We are sad to report that Chuck Brown, whose mix of funk, soul and Latin sounds created ‘go-go music’, died Wednesday May 16 from pneumonia at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md., aged 75 years.
Brown’s go-go music and his deep, gravelly voice, was uniquely identified with Washington DC., where he continued to play the city's club circuit to a loyal audience late in life. Chuck formed the Soul Searchers in 1972, charting on Sussex with ‘We The People’ and ‘Blow Your Whistle’, then after a 1975 hit on Polydor with ‘Boogie Up the Nation’, the group signed with Source, where "Bustin' Loose" was a chart-topper early 1979.
Chuck Brown’s music has been sampled in recent years, with and without credit, and his daughter Cherita Whiting, said "I just want to tell all his fans, thank you, for lovin' our dad, he had the best fans in the world."
The Solar Radio June Bank Holiday Party
Saturday 2nd June.
The Abbey,
30-33 Minories, London. EC3N 1DD
£10 in advance £12 On the door.
The Solar Radio Summer Soul Boat Party
Saturday July 7th from 7pm - Midnight
On the Golden Flame sailing from Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, London
With 2 floors of Soul, Funk, Jazz and Soulful House from your favourite
Solar Dj's
Tickets £20
Back in the early 80s a group of young men got together all with one thing in common, music. Out of this union was born a radio station, Solar Radio and ever since they and new members have sought to pass onto the world the a side of the music industry aptly named "Soul Music".
Looking back at Solar Radio's history we have dug out an interesting newsletter which we would like to share with you all.
Barely a year old Solar Radio was creating a history that would stand the test of time and this Newsletter will give you an insight into some of the personalities that have help the station pass that test.
Click the read more button to view the newsletter.
Look out for a summer of great soul acts performing live in the UK at various concerts and festivals, including Betty Wright, Gwen McCrae, Randy Crawford, etc - watch this space for more information!!