Season 1 Season
2 Season
3
Teena Marie
There
may never be a more soulful, sexy, funky combination of voice and music like
that which emanates from the "Ivory Queen of Soul,” Teena Marie. Her phenomenal
range and unique tone has made her among the most recognizable voices in
R&B. At the age of 17, Teena fulfilled her childhood dream of a music
career when she signed with Motown Records. There, she teamed up musically - and
for a time, romantically - with funk master Rick James, who produced her debut
album, Wild and Peaceful. A hit song with James, Fire and
Desire, along with Teena’s robust sound and powerful delivery, helped to
overcome long standing racial barriers between black audiences and white
singers. Teena talks about leaving Motown at the height of her career,
losing her long-time friend Rick James and her fight to take control of her
life.
Bootsy Collins
While
his star-shaped sunglasses and outrageous outfits helped him stand-out, it was
his pioneering bass lines that helped to define the sounds of both James Brown
and George Clinton. Thanks to his older brother Catfish Collins, Bootsy learned
to play bass while growing up in the ghetto. His love of music led him to
King Records, where he forged a relationship with his ‘second father,’ James
Brown. Brown’s tough love and brilliant leadership helped prepare the
natural musician when he joined forces with George Clinton in
Parliament/Funkadelic. Bootsy later took his larger than life persona and
led the group Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Told in his own words, Bootsy candidly
shares the personal problems which led him to withdraw from the scene at the
height of his career and what ultimately brought him back.
Klymaxx - November 15 at 8 &
11 pm (ET)
The reign of Girl Power in the realm of funk began, and
some say ended, with the all-female group of feminist funksters known as
Klymaxx. The group of six succeeded in breaking down the boys only world of
R&B in the mid ‘80s with hits like Meeting in the Ladies Room and
The Men All Pause. The ladies’ success also helped launch the careers
of producing superstars Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. After success with pop
ballad I Miss You, it seemed these girls couldn’t be touched but the
group split when the strains of success began to take its toll. From there
climb to success to their fall from grace, the ladies of Klymaxx share their
explosive story.
ZAPP - November 22 at 8 & 11 pm
(ET)
For twenty years, the Zapp band created hits that sparked fires
on dance floors worldwide. Situated somewhere in the funk zone between
Prince and Parliament, the Troutman brothers, Lester, Terry, Larry and Roger,
crafted a sound so flavorful, yet so polished, that they pulled together
audiences of fans black, brown and white. Roger’s talk box touch helped
hits like Computer Love and I Wanna be Your Man soar up the
charts, yet even with all of their success, the group spun out of control when
Larry killed Roger and then turned the gun on himself. Ten years later,
the Zapp family is back together and their sharing the untold story of the
amazing yet tragic journey of their lives.
Minnie Riperton
With her
near-operatic six octave vocal range, Riperton, the dynamic singer and
songwriter, is best known for her quietly stunning 1975 ballad Lovin'
You. Riperton began her career with the 60’s pop group Rotarty
Connection but it was the success of Lovin’ You that had seemingly
propelled her to solo superstardom. Instead, tragically, she was diagnosed
with breast cancer the following year. Riperton used her celebrity to
serve as the first Black woman spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and
was later honored by President Jimmy Carter with the Society’s Courage
Award. Sadly, on July 12, 1979, at the age of 31, Riperton died in the
arms of her husband Dick Rudolph, while listening to a song written for her by
Stevie Wonder. With exclusive interviews from her family and friends,
UnSung explores the both heartbreaking and inspiring story of Minnie
Riperton.
Melba Moore
It could
have been her Grammy nominated cover of the Bill Withers classic Lean On
Me or her Tony Award-winning performance in Purlie that
solidified
her place in America’s hearts, but either way, Melba Moore was born to
shine. The daughter of jazz saxophonist Teddy Hill and R&B singer
Bonnie Davis, Moore survived a tough childhood and went on to achieve great
success. She first lit up the stage in Hair and eventually
replaced Diane Keaton in the play, becoming the first Black actress ever to
replace a White actress on Broadway. Showing her versatility, Moore also scored
several pop hits and earned several Grammy nods for Best New Artist and Album,
Peach Melba. Moore was also quite the business woman; she had her
own line of sportswear, a management company, a record-producing company and
television shows. It seemed like she had it all until her husband/manager
wronged her both professionally and personally and everything turned into a pile
of debt. Moore found herself on welfare and shunned by her friends and
family. UnSung tells the fighting story of Melba Moore.
Shalamar
Shalamar’s talent
was first realized after the Motown-inspired Uptown Festival, where
Dick Griffey rushed to permanently replace his session singers with vocalists
Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett. When Griffey created this
disco-driven vehicle and hooked them up with R&B producer Leon Sylvers, they
scored big with their hit The Second Time Around. The group was
on fire and had a string of UK hits that boosted sales and fans. It seemed
like nothing was going to stop them—until two key members left the trio over
"artistic differences." The group took a knock but replaced Watley and
Daniel with Delisa Davis and Micki Free. Shalamar returned to the charts
with Dancing in the Sheets and Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly
Hills. Through interviews with the original members and those who
knew them best, UnSung takes you on the journey of Shalamar.
Florence Ballard
She was
the founding, original, lead-singing member of one of the biggest girl groups
ever, The Supremes. Originally The Primettes, Florence Ballard, Mary
Wilson and Diane Ross enlisted neighborhood friend Smokey Robinson to help them
score a record deal with Motown. Barry Gordy signed The Supremes but after
several singles that didn’t break the Top 40, he shuffled Ross into the lead
position. With the success of hits like When the Lovelight Starts Shining
Through His Eyes and Where Did Our Love Go, Diana Ross became the
star. Ballard grew frustrated with her new role in the group and fell prey
to depression and alcoholism, factors that weighed heavily in Gordy's decision
to abruptly and permanently dismiss her from the group in 1967. After an
unsuccessful attempt at a solo career, Ballard spent the next few years raising
her three daughters on welfare, the victim of a bad marriage and in legal drama
with Motown. After an accident settlement, things began to turn
around—Ballard purchased a home and began making public appearances.
Sadly, in 1976, Ballard died of a coronary thrombosis at the age of thirty-two.
Her death has been called "one of rock's greatest tragedies.” UnSung
looks at the often forgotten story of Florence Ballard through exclusive
interviews with friends and family.
