+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story - The Birth of Soul

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars analyze various kinds of music.  In this music lesson, students listen to music clips to determine the kind of music each clip is then they participate in a class discussion about the music and prepare a presentation.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soul Legend Wilson Pickett

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students analyze the lyrics to the soul music of Wilson Pickett as a step towards the exploration of the life and talents of the man. The language and expressions utilized in a descriptive article about the composer form the basis of the...
+
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Curtis Mayfield (1942 1999)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read biographical facts on the great soul musician and songwriter, Curtis Mayfield who was once a member of the group called the "Impressions".
+
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Otis Redding (1941 1967)

For Students 9th - 10th
A short but informative article on one of Georgia's most influential soul musicians. Best known for his ballad "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", Otis Redding was killed in a plane crash before the song was even released.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Booker T. And the m.g.'s

For Students 9th - 10th
Starting out as a house band for Stax records, they then became a successful recording group in their own right. Booker T. and the MG's were an important force in shaping the sound of Sixties soul music. They were inducted into the Rock...
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Al Green

For Students 9th - 10th
Gifted 1970s soul singer, Al Green, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. After a rewarding R&B singing career, he became a Reverend in 1976 and moved to gospel music.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Aretha Franklin

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the life history of the "Queen of Soul", Aretha Franklin. In 1987, she was the first woman inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Curtis Mayfield

For Students 9th - 10th
Covers extensive biographical details on successful soul musician, Curtis Mayfield, a 1999 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Earth, Wind, and Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
Read background information and the history of the music of the popular Grammy award winning band of the 1970s, Earth, Wind, & Fire.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Marvin Gaye

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides comprehensive biographical details on soul musician Marvin Gaye, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Otis Redding

For Students 9th - 10th
Although he recorded for only four years, Otis Redding left a commanding mark on the soul music industry and helped shape the sound of the sixties. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sam and Dave

For Students 9th - 10th
Sam and Dave were known as "the greatest of all soul duos". Read about the history behind this famous duo and learn about their music and songs. They were 1992 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Drifters

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered one of the greatest vocal groups of the 1950s and 1960s, The Drifters were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and have three songs on the list of the top 500 most influential songs.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Temptations

For Students 9th - 10th
The Temptations typified what Motown was all about in the 1960s. Read the history behind this Grammy winning group that at one time ruled the Top Forty and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
+
Website
Other

Ray Charles Online

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal website of Ray Charles contains a very interesting autobiography, including discussions with the artist on how he writes and arranges music in his head, how soul music and rock and roll originated, and much more.
+
Article
English Club

English Club: History of Soul Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn the history of soul music from its origins in gospel music, through Motown and Memphis Soul, to contemporary rhythm and blues. The site includes three videos: Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come," from 1964, with images from...
+
Website
Other

The Lost Sessions Musical Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
A personal site providing little-known information and tidbits about famous soul music artists.
+
Handout
Other

Sam and Dave

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief look at the career Sam and Dave, one of the most influential soul acts of the 1960s. Links to other significant names in soul music, too.
+
Website
Other

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

For Students 9th - 10th
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is all about Stax Records, and features a timeline and lists of hit singles.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Ike and Tina Turner

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides biographical details on soul musicians, Ike and Tina Turner, 1991 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
+
Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sam Cooke

For Students 9th - 10th
The Rock & Roll of Fame in Cleveland profiles the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke.
+
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Curtis Mayfield

For Students 9th - 10th
Career highlights of African American singer, songwriter, and producer Curtis Mayfield.
+
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Luther Vandross

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the life and career of Luther Vandross, an American soul and pop singer, songwriter, and producer whose widespread popularity and reputation as a consummate stylist began in the early 1980s.
+
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Ike Turner

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical account of Ike Turner, the American rhythm-and-blues and soul performer, and producer who was best known for his work with Tina Turner.