Formed in Philadelphia in 1960, soul group the Intruders played a key role in the rise of Philadelphia soul as the first act to score hits with songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their biggest breakthrough came in 1968 with the chart-topping hit Cowboys to Girls.
Formed in Chicago in 1959, The Chi-Lites are an influential R&B and soul vocal group known for smooth harmonies. They achieved international prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s, landing eleven Top-10 R&B hits and over twenty Billboard Hot 100 entries.
Philadelphia-born singer and songwriter Barbara Mason is a pioneer of the Philadelphia soul movement. As a teenager, she broke industry norms by writing her own material, notably her hit single Yes, I'm Ready, which defined the Philly Sound.
The Dazz Band is a Cleveland funk and R and B group led by Bobby Harris. They won a Grammy Award for their smash hit Let It Whip and scored over 20 Billboard hits across 14 albums. Known for electrifying performances, the band has toured globally for five decades.
Formed in Philadelphia by brothers William and Wilbert Hart and Randy Cain, the Delfonics pioneered the smooth Philadelphia soul sound under producer Thom Bell. Best known for hits like La La Means I Love You and Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time), the vocal trio heavily influenced hip-hop sampling and featured in Quentin Tarantino's film Jackie Brown.
Fort Wayne native Amanda Perez writes, sings, and produces her own music. After her 2001 debut album Where You At? gained traction, Virgin Records distributed the smooth urban soul single Angel, which became a crossover hit. She later released Angel and I Pray, both charting on the Billboard 200.
Ready For The World is a funk band with rock leanings from Flint, Michigan. They are best known for hit songs like Love You Down, Digital Display, and Oh Sheila, which reached number one on four Billboard charts simultaneously in 1985 and landed them in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Chicago's Emotions, a trio of sisters, soared in the '70s R&B scene with hits like "Best of My Love." Known for gospel roots and partnerships with Maurice White and Isaac Hayes, they also linked with Earth, Wind & Fire for "Boogie Wonderland."
NJ's R&B trio, the Moments, excelled in the 70s with hits like "Love on a Two-Way Street." Became Ray, Goodman & Brown in '78, continued success with "Special Lady." Known for smooth harmonies.
Philly soul icons Blue Magic, led by Ted "Wizard" Mills, hit fame with '70s hits like "Sideshow." Known for lush ballads and proto-disco tunes, they worked with MFSB and Norman Harris, earning chart success and gold records. Continuously active, they've collaborated across genres and adapted through decades.
