Decline of R&B: 1958 - 1963

This period may be viewed as somewhat of a demarcation line for the end of the independent R&B record labels.

By 1961, the following vinyl LPs were issued by the Duke label (Houston, TX):

1. Johnny Ace - (Duke vinyl LP 71 1957 "Memorial Album - Johnny Ace")
2. Bobby Bland - (Duke vinyl LP 74 1961 "Two Steps from the Blues")
3. Junior Parker - (Duke vinyl LP 76 1961 "Drivin' Wheel")

The release of these three vinyl LPs in such as short time period indicates the relative strength and popularity of a small regional record label.

By the early 1960s, the Philadelphia sound and Detroit sound (Berry Gordy, Jr - Motown) filled the airwaves. On November 30, 1963, Billboard magazine stopped publishing a separate R&B chart. Billboard magazine reintroduced an R&B chart some years later. Generally, 1960 marks the end of the Classic R&B years.

Popular trends fueling the end of R&B music:

1. The end of the Billboard magazine R&B chart - November 30, 1963
2. R&B music viewed as "old fashioned" by the artists and producers
3. Vietnam War protest songs
4. Popularity of FM radio & dwindling respect for AM radio

Billboard magazine did not publish an R&B singles chart from November 30, 1963 through January 23, 1965. This web site does not document any R&B music produced after 1965.

Decline of Rock & Roll: 1960 - 1963

The television music show, American Bandstand, was moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 1964. From 1963 to 1987, American Bandstand was televised only once a week, on Saturday. This act simply reflected a trend away from simpler rock & roll times when almost anyone with an electric guitar could become a star.

From 1960 to 1964, there were other trends causing R&B and Rock & Roll artists to change their music. Ray Charles shifted his music toward ballads and Country & Western. James Brown further developed his famous soul sound. Other trends were the:

1. Philadelphia sound fully developed
2. Motown sound peak
3. Girl groups popularity
4. Emerging Soul genre
5. Emerging Funk genre
6. British sound - the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin
7. Dwindling interest in American music

During the early 1960s, so-called girl-groups became popular with the Motown sound. Many white male singers were part of the so-called Philadelphia sound. Teens wanted to be part of the Philadelphia and Motown sounds. The term "teen idol" became popular.

One major teen idol was Gene Pitney. Mr. Pitney released a song called "Town Without Pity," and was part of the soundtrack of a movie by the same name. For a better understanding of the shift from 1950s to 1960s American culture one could research the movies "Some Like It Hot" (1959) - a remarkably innocent theme, and "Town Without Pity" (1961) - re: American soldiers on trial for rape. The early 1960s may be characterized as a time of loss of innocence by American teenagers!

During the early 1960s, R&B songs had become too predictable. Basic melodies, similar chord changes, and relatively boring lyrics marked an end to the peak R&B years. The commercial formula of a 2-3 minute time limit on a song was a block to creativity. Audiences were no longer satisfied with the sound-alike tunes being released.

By 1962/4, musical milestones signaled the end of R&B:

1. Ray Charles recorded (vinyl LP ABC LP 410 1962) - "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music"
2. James Brown released (vinyl LP King 826 1963) "Live at the Apollo," which was recorded in 1962.
3. Little Stevie Wonder - (Tamla 54080 1963) Fingertips, Parts 1 and 2
4. Little Johnny Taylor - (Galaxy 722 1963) Part Time Love - last number one rhythm & blues song of the decade
5. Otis Redding - (Atco 161 1964) Pain in My Heart - a landmark album foreshadowing the soul of a milder variety than James Brown style.

Ray Charles had shifted gears and marketed ballads to a white audience over 25 years of age. Most black artists were marketing a "soul" sound. Earl King (New Orleans), the Neville Brothers, and The Meters later became leaders in the New Orleans soul genre. James Brown became a national star of the soul genre by the end of 1963. Generally, 1964 marks the end of the Classic Rock & Roll years.

It is reported that "Live at the Apollo" was such as departure away from R&B to Soul that the King record label refused to record the album -- until James Brown paid the costs himself!!!

Little Stevie Wonder (composing genius) released Fingertips, which was embraced by whites and blacks. Wonder further developed his "pop" music style and somewhat abandoned soul. His work did further the acceptance of black music by the white audiences during a time when some soul artists were pushing "black power," and dividing the races.

As a footnote, and particularly of interest to New Orleans music historians, in 1961 Earling Carothers "Jim" Garrison was elected as District Attorney for the City of New Orleans. Garrison began cracking down on gambling and prostitution, and revoking liquor licenses. Clubs began to close down because their owners didn't want trouble. As a result, many local musicians had difficulty finding work in clubs.

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