Few groups in music history have managed to stay relevant across multiple generations quite like Kool & the Gang. With a career spanning more than six decades, the legendary band has built a catalog that helped define funk, R&B, soul, and pop music while influencing countless artists who followed.
Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2026’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, also known as Ashford & Simpson. The married songwriting duo created so many of the classic Motown hits that we know and love today, along with a prolific vocal career that earned them legendary status!
Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To start 2026’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Brook Benton, one of the pioneer voices in the American Jazz and R&B scene throughout the 50s and 60s.
Each week of February, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2026’s February coverage, WERS recognizes Erykah Badu, one of the most recognizable names and voices in R&B, through the 90s, and 2000s.
Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. To learn more about the Wilson brothers, known as The Gap Band, read the biography below!
Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. This week, we’re taking you through the iconic life of R&B and acting legend Brandy. To learn more, check out the biography of the icon Brandy below.
Each week of Black History Month, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic pioneers of R&B and soul. To learn more, check out the biography of funkmaster Rick James, best tracks, and awards below!
Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes the legendary band Earth, WInd & Fire, one of the most influential bands of all time, blurring the lines between funk, soul, and R&B music.
Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Anita Baker, one of the most recognizable voices in the American Jazz and R&B scene throughout the 80s, 90s, and well into the 21st Century.
Each week of June, we open the 88.9 Vault of Soul with profiles of iconic soul pioneers. To continue 2025’s June coverage, WERS recognizes Luther Vandross, one of the most recognizable names and voices in R&B, through the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
The Platters, with their four number-one hits and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, did not merely persevere—they thrived.
“In our finale for February 2025, WERS recognizes a stirring artist who made waves from Broadway to the top charts: Stephanie Mills…”
