The 1970s decade best represented ‘Power of Soul’

The 1970s could arguably be called the best decade of music. Some of the finest sounds emanated from timeless groups such as the Spinners, the O’Jays, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, The Jacksons and so many others that it could take a book to list all of the great albums, singles and memories often captured on Saturday mornings on the show “Soul Train.”
The Spinners are one of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history. While the original quintet is gone, The Spinners have left a towering legacy that spanned six decades. The group created and came to define the smooth and lush sound of Philadelphia Soul. In 1972, The Spinners signed with Atlantic Records, teaming up with producer Thom Bell in Philadelphia, where the group blossomed under his guidance.Throughout the years, The Spinners remained perched at the top of the Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts with smash hits like “It’s A Shame” (1970), “I’ll Be Around” (1973), “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” (1973), “One Of A Kind Love Affair” (1973), “Then Came You” (1974) “Games People Play” (1975), “Rubberband Man” (1976) and many more in earning six Grammy nominations, 18 Platinum and Gold albums, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and selling millions of records worldwide.
At the close of the decade, The Spinners had another classic hit single with their 1979 remake of the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons song “Working My Way Back To You” as well as the Sam Cooke classic “Cupid” from 1980.

The O’Jays
The O’Jays are another great example of Philadelphia Soul. The O’Jays are so ingrained in the great American songbook that their body of work has become an indelible landmark in the pop culture consciousness. The group moved seamlessly from soul and pop to funk and disco with the hits “Love Train” (1972), “For The Love of Money “ (1973), “Livin For the Weekend” (1975), “Family Reunion” (1975), “Stairway to Heaven” (1975), “I Love Music” (1975) and “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)” (1976).
The O’Jays were originally a quartet. By the early 1970s, however, American musical tastes had begun to change resulting in their classic lineup of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell. Like The Spinners and Thom Bell, The O’Jays were graced with outstanding production from the duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. In 1972, The O’Jays would begin a remarkable streak of 10 No. 1 singles forever cementing the group to icon status. The O’Jays were also groundbreaking change-agents in becoming the first Black R&B touring act to headline arenas, thereby setting the bar for other African-American talent to follow.

Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire represented a new brand of pop music–one that was stepped in African Caribbean styles–particularly jazz and R&B but appealed to a broader cross-section of the listening public. As founder and leader of the band, Maurice White not only embraced but also helped to bring about this evolution of pop, which bridged the gap that has often separated the musical tastes of Black and White America.
Earth, Wind & Fire combined high-caliber musicianship, wide-ranging musical genre eclecticism, and 70s-era multicultural spiritualism. “I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before,” White said years ago. “Although we were basically jazz musicians, we played soul, funk, gospel, blues, jazz rock and dance music–which somehow became pop. We were coming out of a decade of experimentation, mind expansion and cosmic awareness. I wanted our music to convey messages of universal love and harmony without force-feeding listeners’ spiritual content.”
Among Earth, Wind & Fire’s most popular songs were “Mighty Mighty (1974), “Shining Star” (1975), “That’s the Way of the World” (1975), “Reasons” (1975), “”Sing a Song” (1976), “Can’t Hide Love” (1976), “Getaway” (1977), “Serpentine Fire” (1977), “Fantasy” (1978), “Got To Get To Into My Life” (1978) and “September (1978).
The Isley Brothers
Only one American group has had a proven influence on artists ranging from The Beatles to Ice Cube. For the past 60 years, The Isley Brothers have been at the forefront of the pop sound. “If it were not for The Isley Brothers, The Beatles would still be in Liverpool,” said Paul McCartney shortly after the release of their 1964 cover of the song “Twist and Shout.”
Formed in the mid-50s as a teenage gospel quartet by the eldest four brothers (O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronnie and Vernon), their first big hit was “Shout” (1959). Following that worldwide smash, The Isley Brothers had great success during the 1960s (even counting the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Elton John as co-performers), but their biggest years were in the 1970s when they incorporated younger brothers Ernie (guitar), Marvin (bass) and brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards). Their biggest hits during this period included “That Lady” (1973), “Summer Breeze” (1973), “Live It Up Pts. 1 & 2” (1974), “Fight The Power” (1975) “For The Love of You” (1975), “The Heat Is On Pts. 1 & 2” (1975), “Harvest For The World” (1976), “Who Loves You Better” (1976), “The Pride” (1977), “Footsteps In The Dark,” (1977), “Voyage To Atlantis” (1977), “Take Me To The Next Phase” (1978), “Groove With You” (1978), “Winner Takes All” (1979) and “I Wanna Be With You (1979).

The Commodores
The Commodores are one of the greatest soul/funk groups of all time and have influenced artists–both young and old–with their classic list of songs. The Commodores have sold more than 75 million albums worldwide, have had seven No. 1 singles, five No. 1 albums, 20 Top Ten singles and 15 Top 10 albums.
The group, formed in 1968 at Tuskegee University, was discovered by Berry Gordy who quickly signed them to Motown Records in 1972. They first caught the public’s eye as the opening act for The Jackson 5 during their 1972 tour.
The Commodores’ original lineup included William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Ronhald LaPread (bass guitar), Walter “Clyde” Orange (vocals and drums), Lionel Richie (keyboards, vocals and saxophone) and Milan Williams (guitar). Orange and Richie often traded lead vocals.
Among The Commodores’ biggest hits are “Machine Gun” (1974), “Slippery When Wet” (1975), “Sweet Love” (1976), “Fancy Dancer” (1976), “High On Sunshine (1976), “Just To Be Close To You” (`1976), “Brick House” (1977), “Easy” (1977), “Zoom” (1977), “Three Times A Lady” (1978), “Still” 1979) and “Sail On” (1979).

The Jacksons
The Jacksons were undoubtedly one of the most popular groups of the 1970s. At the time of their early success, soul and funk stars–especially coming from Motown Records–were among the most popular acts at the record store. The Jacksons’ early success (as the Jackson 5) was influenced greatly by artists such as Sly & The Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown and Stevie Wonder.
In 1967, The Jackson 5 won the Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY, and impressed Gladys Knight who recommended the group to Berry Gordy. In 1971, Motown began a spin-off career for Michael whose first single was “Got To Be There.” This was followed with the title track of the 1972 movie “Ben,” a cover of Bobby Day’s hit “Rockin’ Robin” (1972) and the hit “I Wanna Be Where You Are” (1973).
By the end of 1973, the hits were harder to come by and, two years later, the group left Motown and signed with CBS Records’ Philadelphia International division. Motown had a copyright on “Jackson 5,” so they traded that name for The Jacksons–and also traded one brother, Jermaine, for another, Randy, when the former opted to stay with Motown.
Among The Jacksons’ biggest hits of the decade were “The Love You Save” (1970), “I’ll Be There (1970), “Never Can Say Goodbye” (1971), “Dancing Machine” (1974), “Enjoy Yourself“ (1977), “Good Times” (1977), “Show You The Way to Go” (1977), “Blame It On The Boogie” (1978) and “Shake Your Body (“Down to the Ground” (1978).