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Rhythm Revue Spotlight: Felix Hernandez on soul and R&B singer Joe Simon

Soul and R&B singer Joe Simon
Soul and R&B singer Joe Simon

Many of the first generation of soul singers had one thing in common—singing in the church. The energetic, highly improvisational style of gospel singing that became popular in the 1950s is what gave soul its name. Many young gospel singers of the ‘50s became the secular R&B stars of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Sam Cooke, Candy Staton, Wilson Pickett and Johnnie Taylor are among the best-known artists influenced by gospel.

A young gospel group from the Bay Area of California made a non-religious record in 1959. It was a love letter to a girl named Doreetha. One of the singers in this group, The Golden Tones, would become a soul star by 1964. Joe Simon was born on September 2nd in either 1936 or 1943. Sources disagree on the exact year. By the time Joe had his first national hit, “My Adorable One” in 1964, he had relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. Joe's first number one R&B hit was “The Chokin’ Kind” in 1969. Joe Simon's biggest hit singles came in 1971 and 1972, both recorded in Philadelphia, with the musical support of MFSB, including “Power of Love” and “Drowning in the Sea of Love.”

Joe Simon - Drowning In the Sea of Love (Official Audio)

In 1973, Joe Simon had another major crossover hit with the “Theme from Cleopatra Jones.” Joe Simon's third and final number one single came out in 1975, “Get Down, Get Down, Get on The Floor.” Joe Simon had 50 chart songs during his long career. He died on December 13th, 2021.

Listen above.

Recommended Listening

“Hangin' On”
“The Chokin' Kind”
“Drowning in the Sea of Love”
“Power of Love”
“Theme from Cleopatra Jones”

Joe Simon - Theme From Cleopatra Jones (Official Audio)

Deep cuts

“Misty Blue” (first R&B version of the country hit)
“Your Time to Cry”
“Doreetha/Island Girl” with The Golden Tones

Felix Hernandez started his career as a producer and radio journalist while in college. In the 1980’s, Felix independently produced the award-winning radio series BluesStage, which had a 6 year run on over 200 NPR stations. He also worked extensively as a journalist with WBEZ in Chicago, and NPR.