Died On This Date (July 26, 2010) Al Goodman / The Moments; Ray, Goodman and Brown

Al Goodman
DOB Unknown – July 26, 2010

Al Goodman was a respected baritone soul singer who was part of the ’70s hit-making group, the Moments. Formed in during the late ’70s, the Moments released their first record in 1968 and soon found themselves topping the R&B charts with tracks like “Love on a Two Way Street,” “If I Didn’t Care,” and “Look At Me (I’m In Love).”  Hip Hop fans may recognize elements of “Love on a Two Way Street” throughout Jay Z’s 2009 hit, “Empire State Of Mind.”  During the late ’70s, the group that also included Harry Ray and Billy Brown, rechristened themselves Ray, Goodman and Brown and delivered several more slow jam hits throughout the ’80s.  Al Goodman was 63 when he passed away on July 26, 2010.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Elaine Lewis for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Love On a Two-Way Street - The Best of the Moments - The Moments

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Ray, Goodman & Brown

Died On This Date (April 15, 2010) George Melvin / Respected Jazz Keyboardist

George Melvin
May 24, 1947 – April 15, 2010

Photo by Jen Fariello

George Melvin was a gifted jazz and R&B keyboardist who, over the course of his career, graced recordings by the likes of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Ray Charles, Miles Davis and the Moments to name a few.  Melvin launched his career while still in his late teens, mainly focusing on the Hammond B-3 organ, thanks to the tutelage of the great Richard “Groove” Holmes.  In later years, Melvin was a constant fixture of the Charlottesville, Virginia music scene.  George Melvin died from complications of diabetes on April 15, 2010.  He was 63.