Icons and Origins: The Story of Soul Music

Soul music as we know had its origins in the late 1950s and became a distinct genre in the early 1960s. It originated from African American communities in the United States and is known for its distinctive passionate vocals and honest lyrics, born from both the deeply personal, telling of love, heartbreak and self-empowerment, to the social and political reality of the era. Soul music was inextricably intertwined with the spirit and struggles of the civil rights and Black Power movements.

Early pioneers such as Ray Charles and James Brown found inspiration in gospel music to give a voice to African Americans’ struggle for their rights against racism and segragation. They combined gospel’s rhythm, and emotional delivery with rhythm and blues to form Soul.

A popular figure in Soul is Marvin Gaye, a singer primarily known for the hits I Heard It Through the Grapevine, and Let’s Get It On. The latter, a showcase of Gaye's irresistible vocal charisma, reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart in 1973. Since its release Let’s Get It On has inspired and been sampled by many musicians including Juelz Santana’s Let’s go (2003). It was also referenced in Charlie Puth’s Marvin Gaye (2015), demonstrating the lasting impact of Marvin Gaye on both Soul and new releases to this day.

Another Soul icon is Aretha Franklin, who began as a gospel singer before becoming one of the most well-known Soul singers, earning the title 'the Queen of Soul'. Aretha’s biggest hits include R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (1967), Think (1968), and I Say a Little Prayer (1968).

In 1959 Berry Gordy, Jr., founded Mowtown, creating one of the most influential record companies in music history. The label carried many major Soul artists including Marvin Gaye and The Jackson 5, that helped to bring Soul music to mainstream popularity. Motown developed a distinctive style known as the ‘Motown sound’ which was crafted with pop appeal in mind. 

Join us as we celebrate Soul music live at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 4 October 2026. This get-up-and-dance concert features songs by Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, Martha Reeves and, the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

We are thrilled to, once again, be joined by star vocalists Gloria Onitiri and Trevor Dion Nicholas for a host of classic Motown anthems, including: R.E.S.P.E.C.T., Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Reach Out (I’ll Be There), Dancing in the Street, Midnight Train to Georgia, Stop! In the Name of Love, Don’t You Worry 'Bout A Thing, My Guy, Proud Mary, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, You Can’t Hurry Love and My Girl.