By Don Valentine and Nicole Nutting
  He said: Nicole, since the president had a tantrum and tweeted some 70 times over getting his hand caught in the âCookie Jarâ, we should give the readers a respite!
When it comes to the best Rhythm and Blues bands of all time James Brown has to make my Mount Rushmore. The icon Mick Jagger said âWorst mistake I made in my career was following James Brown. Bloody bad!â  James Brown’s performance at the T.A.M.I. show with his band is the Platinum Standard.
On vocals and instrumental acumen, Stevie Wonder [Songs in the Key of Life]. He played almost every instrument in his adult years on his albums. Prince did the same. When Eric Clapton was interviewed by Rolling Stone and asked what it felt like to be best guitar player in the world, he said âI donât know. Why donât you ask Prince?â   Now, we canât leave out the âQueen of Soulâ – Aretha!–an amazing 17-time Grammy winner in multiple categories!
She said: Don, I think you just took a deep dive into the subconscious on this topic! R&B music was our “back beat” the last time we collectively fought for our human rights. For inspiration, Earth, Wind and Fire, “That’s the Way of the World”. (“A child is born with a heart of gold–way of the world turns him cold…”).
Marvin Gaye was right on the money with “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”. Once again we’re fighting off the science deniers and corporate polluters.
Aretha’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” were both clarion calls for the budding Feminist Movement.
He said:   You’re on point with those selections. I canât leave Michael Jackson and the brothers off my Mt. Rushmore. Everyone within 25 years of our age group recalls that iconic Motown reunion performance.
She Said: Beyond hot licks and drum beats, music is audible emotion. R&B evokes our previous struggle for equality, and reminds us to persevere!
