“1960s south east USA. A time characterised by racial tension and oppressive Jim Crow laws, but also of a political uprising leading to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and gradual desegregation. For white teenagers this brought easier access to race music and a new dimension in cool: the sound of soul and R&B. Even before the mid sixties, radio stations with wide broadcasting capabilities were promoting national acts to every corner of the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia. Neighbourhood friends, high school students and college bands were inspired to create their own brand of soul to play in the beach pavilions, inland waterway dance clubs, sock hops, frat parties and campus venues.
These blue-eyed and integrated beach bands, soul influenced garage bands and vocal groups have long been embraced by the northern soul scene of the UK and Europe. Their music provides a whole other subgenre for rare soul enthusiasts to investigate. This book brings the era to life, exploring this vibrant music scene in the south east states through interviews, record label scans and previously unseen band photographs. It will serve as an invaluable reference source for northern soul collectors, beach music fans and indeed anyone who wishes to dig deeper into the history of sixties soul music, beyond the well documented stories of Berry Gordy, Ahmet Ertegun and the major labels.....”Bands on the hit list included Anthony and the Aqua Lads, Bob Meyer and the Rivieras, The Tempests, The Embers, The Delacardos, The Appreciations, Bob Collins and the Fabulous Five, The Berkshire Seven, The Greater Experience, The Generation, Athens Rogues, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, The Soulmasters, Lost Soul, Gene and the Team Beats, The Chashers, Ron Moody and the Centaurs, The Spontanes, Novas Nine and The Soul Six. Other important stateside individuals who assisted in this venture included label representatives, managers, promoters, archive specialists, press photographers and local beach fans who lived