Famous African Americans From North Lawndale

Dinah Washington
Source: Wikipedia

Dinah Washington (August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963), born Ruth Lee Jones, was a blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s",[1] and called "The Queen of the Blues".[2] She is a 1986 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame,[3] and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.  To read the entire article visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinah_Washington

Video:  Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby http://youtu.be/7kefYrJQ9tc


Ramsey Lewis
Source: Wikipedia

Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. (born May 27, 1935) is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsey_Lewis to continue reading.

Video:  Sun Goddess http://youtu.be/np_1D1VTz4o

Otis Clay
Source:  Wikipedia

Otis Clay was born in rural Mississippi to a musical family, who moved in 1953 to Muncie, Indiana. After singing with local gospel group, the Voices of Hope, he returned to Mississippi to sing with the Christian Travelers, before settling in Chicago in 1957. There, he joined a series of gospel vocal groups including the Golden Jubilaires, the Famous Blue Jay Singers, the Holy Wonders, and the Pilgrim Harmonizers, before making his first solo secular recordings in 1962. They were unissued, and Clay joined the Gospel Songbirds, who recorded in Nashville in 1964 and who also included Maurice Dollison who sang R&B under the name Cash McCall, and then the Sensational Nightingales.[1]   Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Clay to continue reading.

Video: When the Gates Swing Open http://youtu.be/GSkJYL5QHZI

The Mandells
Source:  WHPK Radio

Mandells' 2006 Interview With WHPK http://www.sittinginthepark.com/interviews/mandells-11-5-2006.mp3

Larry Braggs

Larry Braggs is the lead singer for Tower of Power.
 Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
I was born to sing, I knew it in the second grade! (Laughs.) I‘m one of nine brothers and sisters -- Mom and Dad were from Greenville, Mississippi. Dad was a foundry worker and a great tap dancer. Mom was a housewife and they taught us we were put here on this earth with a God-given purpose, that everyone has talent, many talents, and that it’s up to us to discover and nurture the one talent that will distinguish us, because that’s the talent that’s going to shape our lives. And Tower has given me the vehicle, the opportunity to shape my destiny.  Visit http://www.towerofpower.com/larry_bio/ to finish reading the article.

Video: You're Still A Young Man http://youtu.be/w9Np2iUVmRI

Cicero Blake
Source: http://www.cmt.com




Cicero Blake was the original lead singer of the Golden Tones, who evolved into the Kool Gents, the group that sprung Dee Clark. After leaving the Golden Tones-- which consisted of Blake, James Harper, Teddy Long, Howard McClain, and John Carter -- Blake made many solo recordings for small Chicago labels (Brainstorm, Renee, Success, etc.). John McCall, Doug Brown, and Dee Clark replaced Harper, McClain, & Blake (Uncle Sam called). When he got the chance to record for a major label -- Brunswick Records in 1967--the two tracks he cut, "You Got Me Walking," and "A Woman Needs to Be Loved," were shelved for 20 years. They didn't emerged until Kent Records released The Soul of a Man. Blake's version of "Walking" also appears on Sweet Soulful Chicago released in 1987; Jackie Wilson, and the Chi-lites also recorded "Walking." Blake's singing career began in a church choir, then with the Golden Tones while still in high school, and he performed in military shows in the Air Force.  Visit http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/blake_cicero/bio.jhtml to continue reading the article.

Source: Wikipedia
Robert Townsend
Source:  Wikipedia
Robert Townsend was born in ChicagoIllinois, the son of Shirley (née Jenkins) and Robert Townsend. Raised by a single mom of four children on welfare, Townsend overcame his adversities to be at the top of the entertainment business. He is a revered and talented actor, comedian, writer, producer, director, and network programming CEO. He has two daughters: Sierra and Skylar, both following in his footsteps as an entertainer. He also has a son named Isiah and spending quality time with family is important, despite his demanding schedule. As a pioneer in the 1980s, he is often described as "'Godfathers of the Independent Film World.'” [2] Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Townsend_(actor) to finish reading this article.