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Maurice Williams, songwriter and vocalist of Stay, dies at age 86

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NEW YORK (AP) — Maurice Williams, a rhythm and blues singer-songwriter who, together with his band the Zodiacs, became one of the largest one-time acts in music with the classic ballad “Stay,” has died. He was 86.

According to an announcement from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, Williams died on August 6, but no further details were provided.

Williams, who had been a author and performer since childhood, was performing in various harmony groups when he began studio sessions with the Zodiacs in 1960.

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At the tip, they unexpectedly made history with their recording “Stay”, which Williams had written several years earlier as an adolescent.

With his co-vocalists chanting “Stay!”, Williams channeled most of the song and its appeal to an unnamed girl. Halfway through, he stepped back and gave the result in Shane Gaston and one of rock’s most unforgettable falsetto cries—“OH, WON’T YOU STAY, JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER!”

Maurice Williams performs the classic ballad “Stay” together with his band the Zodiacs on the TV show “The Village Square.” (Photo: YouTube Screenshot/John1948NineB)

The song, at just over 1 minute and 30 seconds long, was one of the shortest hits of the rock era. It reached primary on the Billboard charts in 1960 and was the band’s only major success.

However, the song was initially covered by bands resembling The Hollies and the Four Seasons, in addition to other acts who made it an old favourite, most notably when Jackson Browne sang it live to tell the tale his 1977 album Running On Empty.

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“Stay” was also performed by Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and others at the 1979 No Nukes concert at Madison Square Garden, and its original version was included on the 1987 hit Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

The song was inspired by his teenage crush, Mary Shropshire.

“(Mary) was the one I tried to get to stay a little longer,” Williams told the North Carolina publication Our State in 2012. “Of course she couldn’t.”

Williams’ profession was otherwise a story of disappointment. He wrote one other falsetto outing, “Little Darlin’,” and recorded it in 1957 with the Gladiolas. But the song became successful for a white group, the Diamonds. In 1965, Williams and the Zodiacs recorded a promising ballad, “May I.” But their record company, Vee-Jay, went bankrupt just before the song’s release, and “May I” later became successful for an additional white group, Bill Deal & the Rhondels.

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Like many early rock stars, Williams became a fixture on the concert circuit and on tributes and recorded albums like “Let This Night Last” and “Back to Basics.” He settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, within the mid-Nineteen Sixties, and was elected to the state Hall of Fame in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Emily.

Williams was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, and sang with members of the family in church growing up. He was an adolescent when he formed a gospel group, the Junior Harmonizers, which became the Royal Charms because it evolved into secular music, and then the Zodiacs after the Ford automobile they used on the road. In the meantime, he was a prolific author and needed little time to finish what became his signature hit.

“It took me about thirty minutes to write ‘Stay,’ and then I threw it out,” he later told www.classicsbands.com. “We were looking for songs to record as Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. I was at my girlfriend’s house, playing a tape of songs I had written, and her little sister said, ‘Please do a song with a high voice.’ I knew she meant ‘Stay.’ She was about 12, and I said, ‘She’s of record-buying age,’ and the rest is history. Thank God for her.”

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

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Usher to provide the address of the Emory University class start from 2025 graduates

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It seems that there will not be much that Usher Raymond IV – Better, known to the world, simply as a USher – no. He can sing. He can dance. He can sing and dance while skating. He works. Sells Las Vegas residences. Performs philanthropic work.

And also performs the completion addresses. Usher was utilized by the University in its own yard. May 12 Usher will provide the address at Emory University 180. Ceremony of graduation and shall be awarded with an honorary doctorate in humanitarian letters from the institution. This will not be the first Usher Rodeo with an honorary doctorate; In 2023 Berklee School of Music in Boston He awarded the International Superstar with distinction. He also gave comments then.

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Usher will not be alien to Emory University. His non-profit, New Usher Lookwhich according to the website“He transforms the lives of malnourished youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion, global leaders”, has established cooperation with Emory’s University’s University Goizueta Business School in a 400-hour program helping to prepare teenagers for faculty. Apparently, non-profit influenced over 50,000 students.

“I spent my life following my spark – my passion – and trying to support young people when they find and follow their own passions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to these amazing Emory students who graduate and prepare for imprint in the world – said Usher in Billboard statement.

Usher is one of the most successful musical acts in history, selling over 80 million records, winning many Grammy awards and has toured throughout the world since his profession in the mid -90s. His album “Confessions” from 2004 is the second best -selling album from 2000 and is taken into account by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of all of all of all.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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The most iconic moments of the beauty of Robert Flack – Essence

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Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.

In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.

Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.

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In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Joe Freshgoods X New Balance 992 “Starn Well” is celebrating cooperation

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New Balance, Joe Freshgoods, Chicago

 


Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.

After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.

The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.

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“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”

The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.

Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.

“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.

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Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.

While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.

Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.

“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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