,

How Bobby Womack’s Marriage to His Mentor’s Widow Ended His Career, The Painful Accident That Took Al Green Back to Church, The Accident That Changed Teddy Pendergrass’s Life, The Sylvers: A Tragic Story of One of The Most Talented Family Musical Acts, Bobby Caldwell’s Voice Fooled Black Folks for Decades, Barry White Left His Loves to Fight for His Estate, Don Cornelius: The Man Who Brought Soul Music to America

We're looking back at some of the most scandalous stories in R&B and soul music history.

Graphic: Images: Instagram, Instagram, Michael Ochs Archives, Michael Ochs Archives

The Life, Times and Villain Era of Soul Legend Bobby Womack

Screenshot: Instagram Screenshot: Instagram

Singer-songwriter-musician Bobby Womack grew up in Cleveland, Ohio singing with his five brothers. Starting as the gospel group the Womack Brothers, they eventually changed their name to the Valentinos and their sound to R&B. Under the mentorship of soul singer Sam Cooke, Womack and his brothers landed a record deal and produced a string of hits, one of which became the first hit single for The Rolling Stones. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Shocking Life Story of Soul Singer Al Green

Screenshot: Instagram Screenshot: Instagram

“Let’s Stay Together” is one of those songs that will continue to give generations of music lovers the feels until the end of time. That’s exactly why the world will always love singer-songwriter Al Green. The Arkansas native who grew up singing gospel music made a deep personal connection with his audiences, showing off a vocal range that went from the highest falsetto to a gravely baritone and putting every ounce of emotion into his performances. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Heard of Teddy Pendergrass? This R&B Legend’s Story Is One For The Books

Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives

Teddy Pendergrass dominated R&B music in the 1970s and 80s. He got his start as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and quickly established himself as a sexy solo artist known to drive the ladies crazy with his smooth baritone voice. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Heard of The Sylvers? One of The Most Talented Black Singing Families That Were Not The Jacksons

Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives Photo: Getty Images Michael Ochs Archives

If you were asked to name some of the most talented musical families in history, the Jacksons, the DeBarges and The Isley Brothers might be the first that come to mind. But don’t sleep on The Sylvers, a group of nine singing siblings from Watts, California, that entertained fans for decades. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Do You Know The Tragic Story of Don Cornelius, The ‘Soul Train’ Creator and Host?

Photo: Getty Images Frederick M. Brown Photo: Getty Images Frederick M. Brown

It’s hard to talk about Black music without talking about “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius. The Chicago native, who got his start on local radio and television, wanted to create a program that showcased Black people in a positive light. With $400 of his own money, he developed the show, featuring young people dancing to the hottest soul, funk and R&B songs. “Soul Train” eventually achieved national syndication and ran from 1971 to 2006, making it one of the longest-running syndicated programs on American television. In 35 years, legendary artists like The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Mary J Blige and LL Cool J would grace the “Soul Train” stage. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Have You Heard of Bobby Caldwell? The Soulful Singer Had Black Folks Fooled for Decades

Photo: Getty Images Jason Kempin Photo: Getty Images Jason Kempin

Even if you don’t know who Bobby Caldwell was, you’ve definitely heard one of his songs. The New York native, who burst onto the music scene in the late 1970s with the hit single “What You Won’t Do For Love,” has had his soulful songs sampled by hip-hop heavyweights, including 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G. and Common. — Angela Johnson

Read More

The Loves Of Barry White and Their Fight for His Multimillion-Dollar Estate

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

R&B singer Barry White was known for his smooth and sexy voice recording hit songs that made people want to dance and fall in love. But the legendary crooner also had a very complicated love life, and after a series of health challenges that led to his untimely death at age 58, the nine children, two ex-wives and one long-time girlfriend he left behind were forced to work out the details of an outdated will that included his plans for his multi-million dollar estate. This is the story of the life and loves of Barry White. — Angela Johnson

Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Musicians Who Were Targeted By The FBI and Other Law Enforcement

Black Musicians Who Were Targeted By The FBI and Other Law Enforcement

For decades, the FBI has kept a close eye on Black musicians and other artists they saw as a threat to the status quo ...
The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies on Prime Video

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies on Prime Video

From Viola Davis kicking butt in 'G20' to Kerry Washington getting even in 'Shadow Force':' If you're looking for something to watch this weekend, we got you! ...

Why the Black Internet Believes Grammys Just Threw Shade at Beyoncé

Why the Black Internet Believes Grammys Just Threw Shade at Beyoncé

Just a few months after Beyoncé made history with her country record, the Grammys just made a major change to their country category. Coincidence...? The internet certainly doesn't think so. To be clear, this sudden change is the only new category added by the Recording Academy for the 68th Annual ...
Proof  The 'Absent Black Father' Was a Big Lie

Proof The ‘Absent Black Father’ Was a Big Lie

It's time to celebrate the Black dads who are showing up for their kids ...
Jay-Z's Daughter Rumi Carter Throws Up the Roc Nation Sign On Stage, Sparking Insane Illuminati Theories

Jay-Z’s Daughter Rumi Carter Throws Up the Roc Nation Sign On Stage, Sparking Insane Illuminati Theories

Jay-Z has detailed the origins of his symbol in the past, but that hasn't stopped the internet with conspiracy theories ...
You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But  You Don't Know What 'The Harlem 'Hellfighters' Did to Win The War

You Know Of The Tuskegee Airmen, But You Don’t Know What ‘The Harlem ‘Hellfighters’ Did to Win The War

There are many Black people who served in the U.S. Army with honor. Let's give them their flowers ...
Sole Survivor Explains How He's Alive After Air India Crash

Sole Survivor Explains How He’s Alive After Air India Crash

An Air India flight crash that claimed over 240 lives had one remarkable sole survivor. Viswashkumar Ramesh, 40, was one of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad about half a minute after takeoff on Thursday. While recovering ...
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

The Very Short List of Black Celebs Speaking Out Against Trump’s ICE Raids

Although the list is short, folks like Doechii, Vic Mensa and Ava DuVernay are not happy with Trump's handling of anti-ICE protests ...
White George Floyd Advocate and Husband 'Target of Political Assasination' but It Gets Worse

White George Floyd Advocate and Husband ‘Target of Political Assasination’ but It Gets Worse

This is a sad day for America. But we all knew something like this coming ...
The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar's First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

The Wild, Unbelievable Timeline of Kendrick Lamar’s First Toronto Show Post-Drake Diss

Lamar touched down in Drake's hometown for his Grand National Tour and let's just say things went off-script in the most hilarious way ...
Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That's Not The Scary Part

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That’s Not The Scary Part

Father’s Day weekend might be met with a side of anti-fascist chaos… across the country ...
Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Until They See ...Jay-Z

Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Until They See …Jay-Z

“Beyoncé’s youngest daughter was among the crowd during the latest ‘Cowboy Carter’ show in London.” ...
Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here's What We Know?

Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here’s What We Know?

Minaj took aim at Sharpe in a new song and now that he's gotten wind of it, he's a got a whole lot to say! ...
Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a <i>Huge</i> Price For What He Does to a Fan

Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a Huge Price For What He Does to a Fan

DeMarcus Cousins catches a steep penalty from his basketball team for very unsportsmanlike conduct caught on camera ...
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Behind Florida’s Sheriff’s ‘We Will Kill You’ to Anti-Trump Protesters

With Sheriff Ivey basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks took it all in ...
What Black Men Secretly Want For Father's Day

What Black Men Secretly Want For Father’s Day

It's not socks. Nor is it cologne. What Black men want for Father's Day is simple and free ...
How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly's Legal Mess, Explained

How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly’s Legal Mess, Explained

The once beloved R&B singer is pulling out all the stops to try to get out of prison and his latest attempt just might involve the president! ...
Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Turns out you can't make PB&Js during a court hearing, even if it's on Zoom ...
Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Lattimore, a popular singer, has remained out of the headlines as of late. But this new development has now changed that! ...