Rhythm and Blues Foundation
The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization in the USA that is dedicated to the historical and cultural preservation of the music genre Rhythm and Blues (R&B, R'n'B).
The idea for this foundation came up in 1987 when the singer Ruth Brown , the lawyer Howell Begle and the founder of Atlantic Records , Ahmet Ertegün , were discussing royalties. Ertegün endowed the foundation with 1.5 million dollars when it was established in 1988.
The foundation provides grants, medical assistance, and educational advice to R&B artists through various programs. It also presents the Pioneer Awards .
Pioneer Award winner since 1989
(The prizes are not awarded every year.)
2008
- Chaka Khan (Lifetime Achievement)
- Teena Marie
- Bill Withers
- Sugar Pie DeSanto
- Kool & the Gang
- The Whispers
- The Funk Brothers (Sidemen Award)
- Donny Hathaway (Legacy Award)
- Al Bell (Leadership Award)
2006
- Berry Gordy (Lifetime Achievement)
- Otis Redding (Legacy Award)
- Thom Bell (Entrepreneur Award)
- Chubby checker
- Bettye LaVette
- Barbara Mason
- The Delfonics
- Frankie Beverly
2003
- George Clinton
- The Del-Vikings
- The Dixie Cups
- The Supremes
- Clarence "Frogman" Henry
- Hal Jackson
- Johnny Nash
- Maceo Parker
- Koko Taylor
- Jackie Wilson (Legacy Tribute Award)
- Dionne Warwick (Lifetime Achievement Award)
2001
- Allen Toussaint
- Big Jay McNeely
- Dee Dee Sharp
- The Emotions
- Fontella bass
- Holland – Dozier – Holland
- Sly & the Family Stone
- Louis Jordan (Legacy Tribute Award)
- Reverend Al Green (Lifetime Achievement Award)
2000
- The Chi-Lites
- Ahmet Ertegün
- Marvin Gaye (Legacy Tribute Award)
- The impressions
- Johnnie Johnson
- Clyde Otis
- Sylvia Robinson
- Huey "Piano" Smith
- Stevie Wonder (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Betty Wright
1999
- Johnny Adams
- Ashford & Simpson
- Mickey Baker
- Sam Cooke (Legacy Tribute Award)
- Isaac Hayes & David Porter
- Brenda Holloway
- John Lee Hooker (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Patti LaBelle & the Bluebells
- Barbara Lewis
- Barbara Lynn
- The Manhattans
- Garnet Mimms
- Johnny Moore (posthumous)
- Bill Pinkney
- Joe Simon
- Charlie Thomas
- Dee Dee Warwick
1998
- Herb Abramson
- Faye Adams
- Bobby Byrd
- Tyrone Davis
- The Five Satins
- The Harptones
- Screamin 'Jay Hawkins
- Ernie K-Doe
- Gladys Knight & the Pips (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- The O'Jays
- David "Fathead" Newman
- Kim Weston
1997
- William Bell
- Gary US Bonds
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
- Gene Chandler
- Four Tops (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Little Milton
- Gloria Lynne
- Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
- Ruby & the Romantics
- The Spinners
- Phil Upchurch
- Van "Piano Man" Walls
1996
- Dave Bartholomew
- The Cadillacs
- The Chantels
- Bo Diddley (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Betty Everett
- The flamingos
- Eddie Floyd
- The Isley Brothers
- Jay McShann
- Johnnie Taylor
- Doris Troy
- Johnny Guitar Watson
- Bobby Womack
1995
- Booker T. & the MG's
- Fats Domino (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Inez and Charlie Foxx
- Cissy Houston
- Illinois Jacquet
- Darlene Love
- The Marvelettes
- The Moonglows
- Lloyd Price
- Arthur Prysock
- Mabel Scott
- Junior Walker
- Justine "Baby" Washington
1994
- Otis Blackwell
- Jerry Butler
- The Coasters / The Robins
- Clarence Carter
- Don Covay
- Bill Doggett
- Mable John
- Ben E. King
- Little Richard (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Johnny Otis
- Earl Palmer
- The Shirelles
- Irma Thomas
1993
- Hadda Brooks
- James Brown (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Solomon Burke
- Dave Clark
- Floyd Dixon
- David "Panama" Francis
- Lowell Fulson
- Erskine Hawkins
- Little Anthony & the Imperials
- Wilson Pickett
- Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
- Carla Thomas
- Jimmy Witherspoon
1992
- Hank Ballard
- Bobby "Blue" Bland
- The Dells
- Aretha Franklin (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Chuck Jackson
- Ella Johnson
- Nellie Lutcher
- The Staple Singers
- Jesse Stone
- Rufus Thomas
- Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams
1990/91
- Maxine Brown
- Ray Charles (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- The Five Keys
- Al Hibbler
- Albert King
- Jimmy McCracklin
- Curtis Mayfield
- Sam Moore
- Doc Pomus
- The Spaniels
1989
- LaVern Baker
- Charles Brown
- Ruth Brown
- The Clovers
- Etta James
- "Little" Jimmy Scott
- Percy Sledge
- Mary Wells