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Birthday
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UB Celebrates: Legendary Luther Vandross on Birthday
Today is the birthday of legendary Luther Vandross and to celebrate UB is celebrating Luther! Luther Vandross was more than just a great singer. A suave yet warmhearted New Yorker who became one of R&B’s most beloved balladeers from his solo breakthrough in the early ‘80s to his untimely death in 2005. Luther Vandross was also a vocalist whose understanding…
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UB Celebrates 80th Birthday of Legendary Gladys Knight
The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Today we celebrate Gladys on her 80th Birthday, May 28th. Very few singers over the last sixty years have matched her unassailable artistry. She has enjoyed many #1 hits in the Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, as well as triumphs in film, TV, live performing, and…
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UB Celebrates Aaliyah on Birthday | Commentary from Friend Ivan Matias
Aaliyah Haughton was born on January 16, 1979 in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of five, her family moved to Detroit where she started what seemed to be a promising career. Only time would tell if this upcoming star would live up to that aspiration and her name, which means “highest, most exalted one” in Swahili. This bright and…
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UB Celebrates Roger Troutman on Birthday | Commentary from Shirley Murdock
Today we celebrate the musical genius Roger Troutman on his birthday. Roger Troutman’s larger than life existence had very humble beginnings. Born November 29th, 1951, to truck driver father Rufus Troutman Sr. and house wife Addie Ruth Shepherd, Roger was the fourth born of ten children. Born and raised in Hamilton, OH, his natural musical talent and magnetic personality were…
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UB Black Music Month Spotlight: The Poet of Soul Curtis Mayfield
Black Music Month is UB‘s favorite month of the year! We have some great features and interview pieces coming this month, so stay tuned! Today on what would have been his 80th Birthday, we spotlight the poet and songwriter who was before his time, the legendary Curtis Mayfield! Curtis was born June 3, 1942 in the Cabrini-Green housing projects, Chicago’s…
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The Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th Birthday ‘King of New York’ Celebration
On May 21st, the landmark Empire State Building will change the historic landmark’s lights to red and white, with a crown spinning in its mast that will illuminate Manhattan and pay homage to Biggie‘s debut multi-platinum album “Ready to Die.” The day before, on May 20th, the Empire State Building, in partnership with Bad Boy/Rhino Records, will host a ceremony…
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Celebrating Luther Vandross | Life + Career Timeline
Happy Birthday Luther Vandross! Luther Vandross was undeniably one of the most significant vocalists of our time. Born in New York City in 1951, Luther was the youngest of four children. In 1972, the song Vandross wrote, “Everybody Rejoice,” was included in the Broadway musical “The Wiz.” But his biggest early break came when he landed a job as a…
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