Further to the two articles I've previously posted about the early Blues & Soul Magazine I've dug out my copy of the Jazz Scene Magazine from August 1962, I was a sprightly 15 year old at that time. It cost me one shilling and sixpence!
I bought it because Ray Charles was on the cover. I've recently re-read the Alexis Korner article ‘Tin Pan Alleleujah’ and I thought it was interesting because he was clearly trying to come up with a word for the fusion of Gospel & R&B that became known as ‘Soul’ and came up with ‘Gospop’!
Thankfully it didn't last and ‘Soul’ stuck!
I think the article is a good example of how the birth of Soul was being delivered in the media. I was buying Record Mirror at the time and Norman Jopling in particular was championing the ‘new sound’ in the mainstream press and highlighting artists such as The Isley Bros & James Brown in his articles.
Record Mirror used to have an annual poll of favourite artists and the winners of the Best Female Group in 1962/3 was The Miracles! At least people were listening to their records.
Anyway I hope you enjoy reading about the early beginnings of this scene we love so much.
Cheers, John
Recommended Comments
Get involved with Soul Source