The Story Beyond My Song

William “Poogie” Hart: The Soulful Falsetto That Blew Our Minds | Delfonics Legacy Remembered On this day, we honor the unforgettable legacy of William “Poogie” Hart, the tender falsetto and brilliant songwriter behind The Delfonics. From the timeless classics “La-La Means I Love You” to the Grammy-winning “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”, Poogie’s voice defined a generation and shaped the very soul of Philly R\&B. Join us as we remember the man who helped launch the Philadelphia Soul movement — a storyteller in song whose melodies still echo through time. 🕊️ Rest in power, Poogie Hart (1945–2022) 🎤 #WilliamHart #TheDelfonics #PhillySoul #DidntIBlowYourMind #LaLaMeansILoveYou #ClassicSoul

The Soulful Genius of Philippé Wynne | The Voice Behind The Spinners’ Greatest Hits | RIP From the smooth grooves of "I'll Be Around" to the funky flair of "The Rubberband Man," Philippé Wynne’s voice defined an era of soul music. In this episode of The Story Beyond My Song, we take you on a journey through the life, rise, and legacy of the electrifying frontman of The Spinners. Born in Cincinnati in 1941, Wynne transformed The Spinners into a chart-topping powerhouse with his dynamic vocals and unforgettable stage presence. After leaving the group, Wynne joined George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and lent his signature style to the R\&B chart-topper “(Not Just) Knee Deep.” He also collaborated with Bootsy Collins, Gene Dunlap, and even hip-hop pioneers The Treacherous Three—showing his versatility and fearless creativity. On July 14, 1984, Philippé Wynne tragically passed away at just 43 years old—collapsing on stage during a performance in Oakland, California. After we last shared his story, one of our viewers, @caesard.5862, left a powerful comment that still resonates: “He died on stage at my friend’s family’s supper club—Ivey’s in Oakland, CA. I still remember my friend telling me he laid down on stage and the band kept playing before realizing he was dying… Many in the audience thought it was part of his act until he stopped moving for a few minutes. When the paramedics arrived, he had already passed.” We thank Caesar for sharing that memory, and we honor Philippé’s incredible legacy today on the anniversary of his passing. 🎙️ If you were touched by Philippé’s voice or saw him live—drop a memory in the comments. Let’s keep his legacy alive. 👍🏾 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more untold stories from the legends of soul, funk, and beyond. #PhilippéWynne #thespinners #soulmusic #parliamentfunkadelic #IllBeAround #thestorybeyondmysong #musiclegends

Minnie Riperton: Chicago’s Songbird Who Left Us Lovin’ Her Forever On July 12th, we honor the life and legacy of Minnie Riperton — the ethereal voice behind *“Lovin’ You” and one of Chicago’s greatest musical treasures. Though she left this world at only 31, her spirit lives on through her daughter, Maya Rudolph, and the unforgettable music she gifted the world. This tribute includes a personal connection to Minnie from Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood. 💖 #MinnieRiperton #LovinYou #MayaRudolph #ChicagoSoul #BlackExcellence #WestPullmanPride

John Whitehead: The Voice Behind a Movement | The Story Beyond "Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now" Before it became a global anthem of resilience, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” was the heartbeat of Black empowerment—and behind that heartbeat was John Whitehead. In this emotional episode of The Story Beyond My Song, Barbria DeAnne takes you beyond the music to explore the life, legacy, and tragic unsolved murder of John Cavadus Whitehead—one half of the iconic duo McFadden & Whitehead. From his songwriting brilliance at Philadelphia International Records to the message woven into a timeless hit, this is a story of triumph, transformation, and a voice silenced far too soon.

The Night Mavis Staples Tapped Me on the Shoulder | A Soulful Birthday Tribute Happy Birthday to the legendary Mavis Staples — the voice of a movement and a true gospel-soul icon. In this special tribute, I share a real-life, unbelievable story of the night Mavis walked into the Cotton Club, tapped me on the shoulder, and handed me an autograph... without me even asking for it. Was it fate, a mix-up, or something deeper? Either way, it’s a moment I’ll never forget — and the perfect reason to celebrate the living legend that is Mavis Staples. ✨ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more soulful stories from the legends who shaped our music history. #HappyBirthdayMavis #TheStapleSingers #GospelMusic #SoulLegend #CivilRightsIcon #ChicagoSoul #WomensVoices

Billy Eckstine: The Velvet Voice That Revolutionized Jazz | Unsung Icon of Elegance & Bebop Before Nat King Cole… before Luther… there was Billy Eckstine — the suave baritone who broke hearts and broke barriers. From Pittsburgh to the Cotton Club in Chicago, where he shared the stage with my cousin Earma Jean Thompson, Eckstine led a big band that birthed bebop legends like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. But his own voice? Unmatched. Discover the untold story of a man whose smooth vocals, sharp style, and fearless leadership forever changed the sound of jazz. As Eckstine said: "You can't sing about love unless you know about it." Subscribe for more soulful stories behind the music — legends, legacies, and the lives you never knew.

He Made the Blues Jump: The Untold Legacy of Louis Jordan | King of the Jukebox Before rock ’n’ roll had a name, Louis Jordan was already laying its foundation — blending jazz, blues, and boogie into something unstoppable. Known as the King of the Jukebox, Jordan’s hits like “Caldonia,” “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” and “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” had America dancing through the hardest times. He didn’t just influence one genre — he helped invent several. In this soulful tribute, we dig into the legacy of the man who said, “With my little band, I did everything they did with a big band.” From wedding band singalongs to chart-topping hits, Louis Jordan made music that moved generations. Like, comment, and subscribe if you love real music history told with heart, rhythm, and a personal touch. New stories drop weekly — don’t miss a beat!

Phyllis Hyman: The Ballad Queen Who Sang Her Truth Phyllis Hyman was more than a voice—she was an experience. With her unmatched vocal power, soul-baring lyrics, and classic beauty, she redefined what it meant to be a balladeer in the modern world. But behind the brilliance was a woman struggling to be seen and heard. This is the emotional, powerful story of Phyllis Hyman—her music, her battles, and her unforgettable legacy. #PhyllisHyman #JazzLegend #BalladQueen