Re-post from The Root.com
By: Nsenga Burton Posted: September 28, 2010
S.O.L.A.R. Records founder Dick Griffey has passed away. Griffey who is credited with discovering Jody Watley, Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel who formed Shalamar died from complications after undergoing quadruple-bypass heart surgery. After serving as a promoter and talent coordinator for Soul Train and producing hits for Soul Train records with Don Cornelius, Griffey started S.O.L.A.R. Records which produced legendary music groups "The Whispers," "The Spinners," "Lakeside," "Shalamar" and "The Deele" featuring Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and L.A. Reid. S.O.L.A.R. stood for "Sound of Los Angeles," which reflected Griffey's ability to merge funk and soul while creating crossover appeal to pop charts. The music kept its integrity and black musical roots, while satisfying a wide variety of musical tastes. He was able to put together groups with amazing levels of individual talent, that produced wonderful music groups. Griffey is considered a music mogul who earned the praise and ire of artists that worked with him because of his no-holds-barred approach to business. He has regularly been featured in TV One's Unsung series. He is survived by his wife Carrie, children and grandchildren.
Read more at Eurweb.com.
By: Nsenga Burton Posted: September 28, 2010
S.O.L.A.R. Records founder Dick Griffey has passed away. Griffey who is credited with discovering Jody Watley, Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel who formed Shalamar died from complications after undergoing quadruple-bypass heart surgery. After serving as a promoter and talent coordinator for Soul Train and producing hits for Soul Train records with Don Cornelius, Griffey started S.O.L.A.R. Records which produced legendary music groups "The Whispers," "The Spinners," "Lakeside," "Shalamar" and "The Deele" featuring Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and L.A. Reid. S.O.L.A.R. stood for "Sound of Los Angeles," which reflected Griffey's ability to merge funk and soul while creating crossover appeal to pop charts. The music kept its integrity and black musical roots, while satisfying a wide variety of musical tastes. He was able to put together groups with amazing levels of individual talent, that produced wonderful music groups. Griffey is considered a music mogul who earned the praise and ire of artists that worked with him because of his no-holds-barred approach to business. He has regularly been featured in TV One's Unsung series. He is survived by his wife Carrie, children and grandchildren.Read more at Eurweb.com.
