Soul Generation is an American R&B vocal group from Jersey City, New Jersey, which had a number hits in the 1970s, including " Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)", "Million Dollars", and "I Wonder What She's Doin'".

History

Early days

The group was originally known as The Citations, and formed in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1970. Members included group founder Cliff Perkins (lead singer, tenor, choreographer), Earl Davenport (second tenor), Thomas Timmons (bass), and Herman Hammonds (baritone). Timmons left the Citations in 1971 and was replaced by Jeffrey Burgess. The group changed their name to Soul Generation.

Career

Their first single, "Body and Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be)" was produced and written by producer, arranger, and promoter

Paul Kyser Paul Kyser (born December 6, 1943) is an American promoter, record label owner, singer, songwriter, record producer and arranger. He wrote and co-produced the hit " Dawning of Love" with Tom Vetri for Devotion. He also wrote " Body and Soul (Th ...

. Soul Generation and Kyser recorded the song at A & R Recording Studios in New York, New York. The single was released on Ebony Sound Records out of Newark, New Jersey, and distributed by Hilary Records Inc. in April 1972. The song spent 11 weeks on the ''Billboard''

R&B singles chart The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 p ...

, peaking at No. 27 on May 27, 1972. After the release of their debut single, Soul Generation went back to the studio to record an album entitled, ''Beyond Body and Soul''. Soul Generation recorded the album at Record Plant, in New York City, with record producer and arranger Stan Vincent at the helm. The album was released in late 1972, with the single, "Million Dollars", released to radio in February 1973. "Million Dollars", written by Jeffrey Burgess and Stan Vincent, entered the Billboard R&B singles chart on March 10, 1973, where it spent four weeks, peaking at No. 45. The B-side to the single, "Super Fine", was written by, Burgess and Vincent. Their third and final single from the album, "Ray of Hope", was released in April 1973. "Ray of Hope" and the B-side, "Young Bird", was written by Vincent. In 1974, Bobby Ragona became the group's manager, and Soul Generation released two more singles in the 1970s. "I Wonder What She's Doin'" in 1974, written by Vincent, and "Praying for a Miracle", written by

Van McCoy Van Allen Clinton McCoy (January 6, 1940 – July 6, 1979) was an American musician, record producer, arranger, songwriter, singer and orchestra conductor. He is known for his 1975 internationally successful song " The Hustle". He has approximat ...

. In 1975, Earl Davenport died and was replaced by Michael Murphy, who stayed with the group until 1977. The group now performed as a trio, with Perkins, Burgess and Hammond until 1982. Soul Generation disbanded in 1983.

Later years

In 1989, the group reunited with Perkins, Burgess, Hammond, and Ted West performing on the Classic Soul Circuit throughout the country. This unit stayed together until 2004. New members, Veda LaRue-Perkins and Donald Taylor replaced Hammond and Burgess. Krystal Perkins, who is Cliff Perkin's daughter performs with the group as well. In 2004, with Perkins the only original member left in the group, the name was changed to Soul Generations featuring Cliff Perkins. As of 2020, Soul Generation featuring Cliff Perkins is still performing and celebrating 50 years in the music industry.

History

Early days

Career

Later years

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

References

External links