Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was born on April 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey. She started her music career singing backup for other artists. She cut her first album Whitney Houston in 1985, and she rose in fame very quickly. She released hit after hit, and was on the top of the charts. She also did some acting and voice acting. She was in the movie Bodyguard and in The Prince of Egypt. Her last performance was on February 9, 2012, was of "Jesus Loves Me" the night before the Grammys. Two days later, she was found dead in her bathtub. She was found to have drug in he system, with which she had always struggled. She fell to drugs while trying to cope with abuse from her husband. She was such an inspiration to many, including myself. Her most famous song is I Will Always Love You.
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The Jackson 5

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The Jackson 5 was comprised of five brothers from the Jackson family - Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Michael Jackson. They grew up in Gary, Indiana. They joined the Motown movement in the music world, and really gained fame when Diana Ross publicly announced who they were. They were very famous, and the remaining members held a tour in 2012. One of their most famous songs was ABC.

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Otis Redding

Otis Redding was born on September 9, 1941, at Robins Air Force Base, where his father worked as a sharecropper and preacher. He started singing very young, and began taking music lessons by the age of 10. He began to win local contests in his area, and soon he was touring with Pat T. Cake and the Mighty Panthers. He cut his first album in 1963; but one of his most famous songs, which he released in 1966, was Try a Little Tenderness. Another of his famous songs was Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay, which is my personal favorite. On December 9, 1967, he boarded a plane to fly to a gig he had, and the plane crashed in Lake Monona, Wisconsin, and he died a young death of 26 years old. He was an amazing performer, with a rich, raspy voice that naturally excited all listeners.
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Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana. When she was still a toddler, her brothers were already performing as the Jackson 5. At a young age, she began to sing with her family and record music. Her first album was titled Janet Jackson. She rose quickly in fame, and starred in movies in addition to making music. One of her most famous songs is Control.
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Dizzy Gillespie

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Photo credit jazzpages.com

Dizzy Gillespie (John Burks Gillespie) was born on October 21, 1917, in Cheraw, South Carolina. He had taught himself how go play the trumpet and trombone by the age of twelve. He was a brilliant musician, and was quickly able to join bands, including Cab Calloway's band and Ella Fitzgerald's band. He was one of the first in the bebop style of jazz. He was also involved in the Afro-Cuban music movement. He was especially known for the way his cheeks puffed out when he played the trumpet. On January 3, 1993, he died of pancreatic cancer. He was an amazing musician with great style and swinging rhythm. A famous song by him is Salt Peanuts.

Diana Ross

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Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, she aspired to be a clothing designer. When she was fifteen, she joined a singing group called The Primettes. They renamed themselves The Supremes, and eventually settled on the name Diana Ross and the Supremes. Eventually the group split in 1977, and Diana started her solo career. In her career, she cut albums and appeared and starred in films, one of which was The Wiz. In 2000, Diana Ross and the Supremes reunited for a tour. The tour was discontinued halfway through and they went separate ways again. Diana continues to make music and perform to this day. One of her most famous songs from her solo career is Ain't No Mountain High Enough.
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James Brown

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James Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina. He had a poor family, which left him to work at a young age. In his spare time, he learned instruments such as the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He began performing when he was twelve years old in 1945. He became very famous, and joined many different groups. He also earned for himself the title of Godfather of Soul. In 2006, he became very ill, and died of congestive heart failure on December 25, 2006. He was very famous and his music is still listened to today. One of his most famous songs was I Feel Good.
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