Here are some soul birthdays for the month of February.
Roberta Flack was born February 10, 1937 in North Carolina. She attended Howard University on a music scholarship where she met Donny Hathaway. Roberta was discovered by jazz musician Les McCann while performing at a club in Washington, DC. Les McCann introduced Roberta to the executives at Atlantic Records, who signed her immediately. Her first chart entry was in 1971 with “You've Got a Friend,” the first of many duets with Donny Hathaway.
Roberta's hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” were both Grammy winners. Roberta is the only solo artist to win the Record of the Year Grammy two years in a row.
Other February soul birthdays:
Leon Haywood was born February 11, 1942 in Texas. His hits included “It's Gotta Be Mellow” from 1967, “Keep It in the Family” from 1974, “Don't Push It, Don't Force It” from 1980, and “I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You” from 1975.
Sharing Leon Haywood's birthday is Little Johnny Taylor, not to be confused with Johnnie Taylor. Little Johnny is Johnny Merritt, and he was born February 11, 1943 in Arkansas. His biggest hit was “Part Time Love” from 1963. Little Johnny Taylor died in 2002.
Another February 11th birthday is Otis Clay, who was born in 1942 in Mississippi. Otis Clay never had a major R&B hit, but he did have a very long and successful touring career.
King Floyd was born February 13, 1945 in New Orleans. His biggest hit was “Groove Me” from 1970. It was Number One for four straight weeks.
Saxophonist Maceo Parker was a principal member of many of James Brown's bands over the decades. Maceo was born February 14th, Valentine's Day, in 1943. Fans of James Brown will know Maceo Parker from the many times that James called his name on his records. Maceo Parker's autobiography, 98% Funky Stuff, was published in 2013.
Listen above.
Recommended Tracks
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” by Roberta Flack
“Keep It in the Family” by Leon Haywood
“Everybody Knows About My Good Thing” by Little Johnny Taylor
“Trying to Live My Life Without You” by Otis Clay (original version of Bob Seger's hit)
“Woman Don't Go Astray” by King Floyd
“Children's World” by Maceo Parker
