0 My Forbidden Lover is Chic

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/28/2025

Summer days are running shorter, but summertime fun gets hotter by the minute! If you are at a public arena event soon, and get caught on the "kiss cam," remember the song below from 1979, constructed by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. These two guitarists founded Chic, a dance music band that should be in the Rock Hall of Fame! I'll tell you why. In the late 1970s, 'dance music,' or the popular term 'disco' became a pejorative. Through the years dance music has always been popular, but not at the expense of "that old time rock and roll" as the disco cynics cried out by the end of the 70s. 'Disco' became too popular. Yes, a lot of it was awful. What I like the most about Chic is that they defined 'the best of' the dance genre to perfection. Good Times Although their output of hits was somewhat lacking, they were crossover chart toppers... 1978 - "Good Times" was #1 on both the pop and R&B charts 1979 - "Le Freak" was #1 on both the pop and R&B charts With only nine songs charted on the R&B charts, it's a stretch for Chic to capture the embrace of the Rock Hall. Still, if there is one group to enter the Hall as an acknowledgement of the impact of the disco days, Chic is the one. Big brownie points go to Edwards & Rodgers for producing hits for David Bowie, Duran Duran, Sister Sledge, Madonna, Diana Ross, and others. Nile Rodgers continues to tour, primarily in Europe, where the legacy of Chic lives! Group bassist Bernard Edwards died of pneumonia in 1996 at age 43. Chic drummer Tony Thomson passed battling cancer in 2003 at age 48. I highly recommend Nile Rodgers' book, Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny, published in 2011. It's an excellent inside story about Chic's triumph from New York City obscurity to hit making and super producer status. I enjoyed reading it. My Forbidden Lover is Chic Here's Chic's "My Forbidden Lover," one of their songs that just scrapped into the top 35 on the R&B Charts. Check out the sophistication that the group brought to their dance music. Nile Rodgers and Chic continue that tradition today. This version is from a live appearance on German television. Some you know that I was the program director of an English language FM talk radio station in Berlin, Germany (operated from the USA out of Washington, DC). It was the only radio station ever licensed to NPR. I tell the story of how the German authorities licensed the station to the public media network in my book Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth. Here are two videos for you to enjoy. After Chic, my bonus video shares news of a Literacy Nation free book fair event I'm engaged with, in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, PA.   Previous Post | Next Post

0 Amateurs, Professionals, Fly Jocks, Road Warriors, and Radio Interns

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/17/2025

Amateurs, Professionals, Fly Jocks, Road Warriors, and Radio Interns wraps up the interview Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson and Gwen Richardson of Black Authors Matter TV did with me about Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth; My True AM - FM - Satellite - And Audio Streaming Survival Story. Before the end of July, 2025, the complete conversation will be posted to our @powerhouseradiovideo YouTube channel. There are five different segments, watchable in any order. July 18 update: Here is the complete Kingsley H. Smith Powerhouse Radio interview on our YouTube channel in a playlist with extras. Enjoy this segment. It's 6 minutes, 55 seconds.   Previous Post | Next Post

0 Surviving The Winds of Media Change

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/10/2025

Nothing lasts forever. The history behind individual accomplishment and innovation must be told, in your voice, in my voice, in our voices. It was with this vision that I wrote the paperback and eBook, and voiced the audiobook Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth; My True AM - FM - Satellite - And Audio Streaming Survival Story. Survival Watch this 5 minute segment with me talking with Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson and Gwen Richardson of Black Authors Matter TV. I will post the entire conversation on our YouTube channel by the end of July, 2025. July 18 update: Here is the complete Kingsley H. Smith Powerhouse Radio interview on our YouTube channel in a playlist with extras. For my Philadelphia region and South Jersey folks, please stop by and say hi at the free Literacy Nation Book Fair in the heart of center city, Philly on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 10 am - 3 pm. The event drops at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on the ground floor, 1101 Arch Street. Use the 12th Street entrance. I'll graciously sign a copy of my book for you.   What are my Powerhouse Radio experiences? Previous Post | Next Post

0 Frankie Beverly, Philly, and the Musical Success of Maze

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/18/2024

Frankie Beverly formed the group Maze in Philadelphia, PA. The core members were Frankie Beverly, (vocals and guitar), Wayne Thomas (guitar), Sam Porter (keyboards), Roame Lowry (percussion), Robin Duhe (bass), and Michael White (drums). Other musicians would also join during the Maze journey. Time spent in the San Francisco/Oakland area in 1971 contributed to Beverly's unique blend of urban R&B. Frankie's legacy is his smooth, modern, soulful sound, presented through the context of a guitar and keyboard driven band. In this video, I honor Frankie Beverly's musical contribution, while noting his passing in 2024. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Powerhouse Radio Year In Review

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/02/2024

Here are some of our 2023 memories in thirty seconds beginning with an appearance on Blackman (Chris Fraley's) Nodcast the Podcast at the Black Label Comicon in Philly. He's on the left. Peace Moore is in the center.  We drift into Vampire Bobby P. at Tapped in Berlin, NJ. Andre' Gardner at WMGK FM Philadelphia's Sweetwater Marina event in NJ is the next pic. I'm with Olivia Burton at the Philly Odunde Festival followed by Superwoman at the Black Label Comicon. The next frame features Darren Palmer who owns L'Ouverture Books in Pleasantville, NJ. Wrapping up is his honor the Mayor Eric Adams who strikes a pose at the Harlem Book Fair, NYC. Mayor Adams wrote me a nice letter via postal mail expressing his gratitude for my book that I gave him! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Summer of Soul…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/25/2022

The movie Summer of Soul was exclusively offered on streaming services until February 8, 2022. The DVD is now released. Summer of Soul…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised is a Black History gem filmed in 1969. It is amazing that the master tapes of this cultural slice of America sat for over 50 years only to be recently rediscovered. 300,000 people attended The Harlem Cultural Festival in Mount Morris Park (renamed Marcus Garvey Park in 1973). Artists entertained over six consecutive weekends. Music, history and culture came together on the performance stage for all to see. The DVD is directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots fame. Held in the same year as the Woodstock Festival, film (movie) rights for The Harlem Cultural Festival generated zero interest in 1969 from entrepreneurs. Restoration of the master film is outstanding. We give the technical clarity of the cinematography an A+. The sound mix is also excellent. General Foods was one of the few corporate sponsors. The festival budget was so slim that lights for evening performances were not rented. We learn in the film that the stage was positioned to face west to capture the setting sun. The Black Panthers helped with security as there were questions about whether the New York City police would be there. Questlove does a brilliant job presenting this story in just under two hours. You’ll see tremendous performances by Stevie Wonder, The Chambers Brothers, B.B. King, Herbie Mann, and The 5th Dimension. The star parade continued with The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Staple Singers, Professor Herman Stevens & The Voices of Faith, Clara Walker & The Gospel Redeemers, Mahalia Jackson, and some spiritual - cultural inspiration from The Reverend Jesse Jackson. Also seen in the DVD giving their best efforts are David Ruffin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, drummer Max Roach with singer Abbey Lincoln, and trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Dinzulu and his African Dancers and Drummers supply syncopated foot stompin' steps and beats to entertain the crowds. Comedians Moms Mabley and Willie Tyler & Lester (ventriloquist) contribute some laughs. Nina Simone really brings the house down with her songs. “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” is a highlight. The innovative Sly & The Family Stone also entertained Harlem with a whole new musical thing. What you’ll like most about Summer of Soul is the way cultural realities are integrated into the music story telling. Artists who were there in 1969 give their 2022 reflections on and off camera. We get an accurate Black perspective about a turbulent decade during which cutting edge music tried to push the activism of social change forward. We’ve spent a lot of time with 1) Summer of Soul. Four more movies are also recommended for a historic view about 20th Century classic soul music. 2) Soul Power (DVD released in 2010): Three nights of music in Zaire. It’s 1974. The boxing rumble in the jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman is scheduled (they did fight 6 weeks later). Like Summer of Soul, this is more than just a concert film. It’s a slice of 1974 African American - Black African culture. Performances include The Spinners, B.B. King, The Fania All Stars featuring Celia Cruz, Bill Withers, Miriam Makeba, The Crusaders, conga player Big Black, and headliner James Brown. In a deleted scene you'll see Sister Sledge singing "On and On" (the Gladys Knight song from the Claudine Soundtrack). Other DVD deleted scenes offer insight into the culture of Kinshasa, Zaire. There are great segments of classic Muhammad Ali rhyming along with his signature catch phrases promoting the coming George Foreman fight. 3) The Blues Brothers and 4) Blues Brothers 2000. Worth it because Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and a master’s class worth of R&B and blues folks perform. Many of them are no longer with us. Tolerate the antics of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and John Goodman and watch the real musical stars shine. 5) Soul Men (honorable mention). This movie is clearly entertainment and not presented in any historic context. You might say that similarities exist between the Soul Men story and the career of Atlantic recording artists Sam & Dave. In Soul Men, lead actors Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac meander their way through a love hate relationship. Nice cameos too from Isaac Hayes and John Legend. Samuel L. sings great! Soul Men is worth your comedic time. Leave your comments if you've seen any of these 5 movies. I would say from a historic perspective our top 'must see pick' is Summer of Soul. Watch my video, then listen to what Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. have to say about the Summer of Soul in their audio interview. Listen to The 5th Dimension's Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis Jr. reminisce about 1969's 'Summer Of Soul' and talk about their Beatles cover album Blackbird by visiting: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/06/29/summer-of-soul-documentary Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sheila E. Jams With Morris Day And The Time

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/25/2019

Sheila E. opens up a powerful 2019 evening featuring Morris Day & The Time in Atlantic City, NJ. In 1981, who were the original Time from Minneapolis, Minnesota? Morris Day (vocals), Jesse Johnson (guitar), Jimmy "Jam" Harris (keyboards), Monte Moir (keyboards), Terry Lewis (bass), and Jellybean Johnson (drums). Enjoy! Here's a two minute video package I shot at the show. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Charles Bradley And Sharon Jones

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/15/2017

We lost Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in 2016 and Charles Bradley earlier this year. There are always new trailblazers who prove that talent with luck will rise to the top. Who says today's classic soul can't be as good as the songs from "the golden age." Both Jones and Bradley are late bloomers in the music business if one brands success by age. However, they are not overnight sensations by a long shot. Check out "Sail On," one of the last tracks recorded by Sharon Jones. After that, listen to Charles Bradley belt out Neil Young's "Heart of Gold." It's the "official" audio from Daptone Records. Enjoy them both! Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Queen of Sugar Hill Records: Sylvia Robinson

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/15/2017

It's good to be "The Queen" when you have the reputation of being one in the music business! Sylvia "Vanderpool" (1936 – 2011) had her first number one R&B song ("Love Is Strange") in 1956 as part of the vocal duo Mickey and Sylvia. She became singer/songwriter/producer Mrs. Sylvia Robinson after marrying Joe Robinson, owner of All-Platinum/Vibration Records. All Platinum eventually became Sugar Hill Records. Sylvia had another number one R&B hit in 1973 with "Pillow Talk." In 1974 her "Sweet Stuff" song peaked at number 4 on the R&B charts. By the end of the decade, Sylvia concentrated on harvesting the fresh young sound of the exploding, hip-hopping, street beat rap pioneers. These impresarios put Sugar Hill Records on the map. 1979's "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugar Hill Gang peaked at number 4 R&B giving the label an early hip-hop hit. In the video below you’ll see a few more noteworthy records by Sugar Hill artists. 60 seconds of Sylvia's "It's Good To Be The Queen" is featured in the label montage. "The Queen" throws down some amusing bougie lyrics. You know it's worth a laugh, so enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Miss Sharon Jones!

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/25/2016

I was so sad to learn about the passing of Sharon Jones. It wasn't a long timespan between my discovery of her as a new rising star and her untimely demise from cancer. Her gritty soulful songs have the bite of emotion you just can't ignore. Here's the the trailer from the new documentary about her life: Previous Post | Next Post