R.I.P. deep soul great Jimmy Hughes, 1938-2026

Sadly, Alabama-born soul great Jimmy Hughes – who helped put Muscle Shoals on the map – has passed away at 88.

R.I.P. guitar great Travis Wammack, 1944-2026

Sadly, guitarist Travis Wammack, heard on numerous Muscle Shoals recordings, has passed away. He'll be greatly missed.

Happy Birthday Bettye Swann!

Raising a glass to Shreveport soul diva Bettye Swann on her birthday with a couple of performances and a few timeless gems. 

Happy Birthday Spooner Oldham!

Raising a glass to composer and soulful keyboardist Spooner Oldham with a few performances with sidekick Dan Penn and more.

R.I.P. Keyboardist/producer David Briggs, 1943-2025

Sadly, keyboardist/producer David Briggs,  a member of Rick Hall's FAME gang, Elvis Presley's TCB band and Area Code 615, has passed away at 82.

Remembering Swampers Jimmy Johnson & Barry Beckett on their birthday

Raising a glass to guitarist Jimmy Johnson and keyboardist Barry Beckett who contributed greatly to the Muscle Shoals sound. 

LINKS
Alabama Life & Culture David Hood talks about Jimmy Johnson

Two vintage Candi Staton deep soul gems recirculated by Soul 4 Real

Check out Candi Staton's "I Can't Stop Being Your Fool" and "You Bet Your Sweet Sweet Love." Too good. 

Get a copy of Soul4Real's limited edition Candi Staton 7" vinyl single directly from the label right here. 

R.I.P. Memphis deep soul legend Spencer Wiggins, 1942-2023

Sadly, Memphis soul great Spencer Wiggins has passed away. He'll be greatly missed. Listen to a few of his 45 gems.

That time David Bowie appeared on Soul Train in 1975

Along with a short chat with host Don Cornelius, David Bowie does "Golden Years" and "Fame" for the Soul Train crowd. 

Candi Staton's rare soul recordings for FAME released on vinyl

Candi Staton's 12 shelved FAME recordings – which appeared on the Evidence 2CD in 2011 – are out on vinyl today.  

Here's the scoop...

Trouble, Heartaches And Sadness (The Lost Fame Sessions Masters) features twelve previously unreleased tracks from Candi Staton’s incredible recording period at the legendary FAME studios. Discovered and compiled as part of Dean Rudland's comprehensive 48-track Evidence (The Complete Fame Sessions Masters) 2CD comp released by Ace/Kent back in 2011, Staton's 12 unissued tracks are available for the first time on vinyl for RSD DROPS 2021 on Saturday (July 17).

Side 1 – 1. One More Hurt (2.41), 2. Spread Your Love On Me (3.10), 3. Lovin’ The Easy Way (2.50), 4. Where Were You (3.17)*, 5. I Gave A Little And Lost A Lot (4.19), 6. Do Right Woman (3.07).

Side 2 – 1. We Had It All (2.53), 2. Slipping Away (3.10), 3. I'll Be Here (3.25), 4. Trouble, Heartaches And Sadness (2.47), 5. Jolene (4.13), 6. Are You Just Building Me Up (3.28) (All tracks are stereo except * mono)

Check out Candi Staton's version of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and the title track below. 

Happy Birthday Dan Penn!

Celebrating Dan Penn's birthday with his original FAME demo of "It Tears Me Up."  

More previously unheard George Jackson FAME demos unearthed by Ace

This 24-track set includes George's original version of "Your Love Made A U Turn" covered by Tift Merritt below.

R.I.P. producer/engineer Rick Hall, 1932-2018

The man behind the Muscle Shoals sound and FAME Records, Rick Hall passed away today at his Alabama home. 

Happy Birthday George Soulé

Celebrating the birthday of Southern soul singer/songwriter George Soulé with a timely message.

Happy Birthday Candi Staton!

Celebrating the 75th birthday of Southern soul great Candi Staton with two typically dazzling performances. 

Muscle Shoals film screens at Hot Docs

Wilson Pickett chills with Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and the rest of the FAME gang

Muscle Shoals at Hot Docs
Tue, Apr 30 9:15 PM
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Fri, May 3 6:15 PM
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Sat, May 4 9:00 PM
Isabel Bader Theatre
Note: Unfortunately, tickets for all screenings are now sold out.

RIP George Jackson, 1945-2013

LINKS 
Billboard obituary
The "B" Side blog
George Jackson Remembered by Tony Rounce

Le Blues de Memphis: STAX & FAME (1969)