What Happened To Large R&B Bands ?

BlueBlackpurple asked me "What Happened To Large R&B Bands ?" Well, the answer is pretty simply, and quite unfortunate!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Large R&B Bands
• Earth
• Wind and Fire
• BlueBlackpurple
• Isley Brothers
• Commodores
• LTD
• ConFunkShun
• Brass Construction
• Lakeside
• Ohio Players
• Slave
• Cameo
• Word Up!
• Funk Bands
• R&B
• Old School Music
• Large Bands

[Topg1]

Hey you have a lot of insight. I always thought mainstream music today sucked because most of the melodies are digital. However, I did not understand the synthesizers replaced bands music from the 70s. I was born in the late 80s, please forgive my ignorance. I can also relate because the 90s still had strong R&B singers (Brian Mcknight, Dru Hill, Deborax Cox, Toni Braxton, Xscape,etc) but vocal ability was replaced with looks and gimmicks.

[seand67]

@Topg1 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I also agree that the 90's also had some great talent (I enjoy those you listed), but most of the time, record companies RARELY allowed them to have their own identity...having them look alike, sound alike, use the same producers, or basically be clones to an extent.

[marioaranda711]

Old School I hear that phrase alot,these days. We were fortunate to be there when it was all happening.Thanks for your commentary. Nothing can compare to real live music, and great musicianship.That vibe is being sampled today, because there are not musicians and singers ,as a band with an entity as well!

Seems like big buisness dominates,defining success , not the music it self. I still love listening to all the soul music of the 60s and 70s. as well as ...

[seand67]

@marioaranda711 THANK YOU for stopping by to echo my sentiments. I too feel blessed to have grown up with REAL music serving as the soundtrack to my youth and serving as part of my foundation.

[piijay14]

.......Hip Hop can certainly be done with live instruments, but unless we change,,our community wont! Now if you're thinking how can I afford music lessons.....As a musicain my parents didnt send me to musicschool either. I learned in church by watching listening and learning. I encourage all to do the same but of course this means you'd have to spend quality time in church and not in da streets!!!

[seand67]

@piijay14 That's true. I love Jay-Z's 'Unplugged' CD featuring The Roots. Thanks for your great comments

[krizdj]

I agree, but how do we reconcile this with rock music and the fact there are still rock bands out there?

[Topg1]

@seand67 I think one reason for that is that marketing began to become the more focus point of music/entertainment than creativity. Most marketing agencies once they have a formula that works and sells they are less likely to change it. This can explain why toward the late 90s music started to sound the same.

[piijay14]

.......Jay Z, dr Dre,2pac and Kanye. These guys are recording artist but not actual musicians themselves and their recordings include very little to no real instruments. Therefore todays urban youth are'nt not inspired to learn to play musical instruments such as guitar,piano or horns. which contributes to the lack of RnB bands today. The youth of other communities have inspirations of 'Maroon 5, Oaisis, Coldplay all are actual bands and recordings in mostly live instruments..........

[piijay14]

Where are the real bands...? I too was born in the era of live RNB bands such favorites; Prince, the Time, EWF,Ohio Players, Jackson 5, just to name a few. We must noticed that the 'Hip Hop' era has open some doors for the black community but it has also closed a few as well. Growing up in church during early 80s I waz inspired to learn to play piano and drums.Todays urban youth dont generally share that inspiration for their heroes such as........