1960s Soul
“We had a rock and roll generation that was listening to Smokey & the Miracles, the Temptations, Elvis Presley. Rock and roll knocked us out…as much as it did any other American”
- Felipe Luciano, “Latin Music USA”
The Miracles with Smokey Robinson perform their 1963 hit “Mickey’s Monkey”. This song utilizes a beat made popular by Bo Diddley and incorporates a joyful call-and-response.
James Brown and the Famous Flames performs "Night Train" in front of a live television audience on 1961’s TAMI Show. James Brown was famous for his dance style which some called the “Boogaloo”.
Film of a studio version of The Tempatations’ “My Girl” which Joe Bataan stated was a huge influence on his compositions
A smash hit in 1962, Philadelphia’s Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time” used elements that would soon be common in Latin Boogaloo recordings: handclaps, doowop harmonies and a backbeat.