More In Black History

LaMonte McLemore and Other Black Stars We Lost in 2026

We are honoring all of the Black stars who left us in 2026.

By The Root Staff Published February 5, 2026

UNITED STATES – CIRCA 1969: Photo of Fifth Dimension, c.1969, California, Los Angeles, Fifth DimensionL-R: Ron Townson, Florence LaRueBilly Davis, Jr., Lamonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

We’re not going to lie, 2025 was a tough year, as we lost many of the Black legends we knew and loved. Now, as 2026 gets underway, we must say goodbye to even more of those who had such a tremendous impact on the culture. Although they are gone, they will never be forgotten.

(snip-brief celebratory obits/photos on the page. A few of them have been posted here, lat year. While you peruse our losses, enjoy this next one from The Root, too! I would listen to Luther Vandross sing the phone book.)

The Essential Luther Vandross Playlist of His Best Songs

The late Luther Vandross is still a trending topic thanks to the 2026 Grammys. So what better time than now to take a look at some of his best songs!

By Shanelle Genai Published February 3, 2026

LOS ANGELES – 1995: Singer Luther Vandross poses for a portrait in 1995 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

Although Kendrick Lamar and SZA walked away with the 2026 Grammy for Record of the Year for their song “luther”—which sampled the 1982 Luther Vandross hit “If This World Were Mine”—the late iconic singer still somehow became one of the hottest topics of the night.

This was thanks in large part to Cher’s hilarious and accidental flub, announcing Vandross as the winner instead Lamar. But still it made for a good reason to talk about the legendary singer and his musical contributions. It also got us thinking about our favorite Luther Vandross songs and so we’d figure what better way to wax poetic about them than by putting together our top favorite tracks of his for the best of the best playlist!

Fair warning though: this list will make you move and groove so make room wherever you are!

(snip-playlist is right there, embedded on the page!)

An Answer to a Struggle.

Hello Everyone, and Hello to you, Scottie!

A bit ago, Scottie – you put out a post titled “I have struggled all day”. In that post, you included two songs, and for those who have been on this blog for a while we do recognize Terry Jacks.
Music is a huge part of my life. I sing like a water buffalo with laryngitis, but I love music. It works to lift me up when I’m down, it reminds me of special people and special times in my life, it brings me peace, and sometimes it allows me to be angry. Music can sing to a person’t soul, lighten one’s load. It allows me to cry when I need to cry, to hope when hope seems gone. It reminds me that I’m not alone.
So, I have three songs here. Two are just a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the last is very special to me. I sent you this song, Scottie, a long time ago. It is my favorite cover of that song.
My challenge and my ask to everyone is to please add in the comments the songs that you love, that feed your heart and soul. Songs that make you smile, make you cry, make you dance or sing in a crowded grocery store because you just can’t not sing or dance when you hear it. Because like the last song says so clearly: we are all in this together, whether we want to be or not. 🙂

I love you, my brother!
Randy

So, Again Everyone… please let me know the songs that are special to you, and perhaps even why they are special. Music is the magic. Randy

Music For Peace (from Nov. 30th)

I’m thankful for Bee’s blog, and especially for this song challenge! Here is the final one for November 2025:

The holidays roll on. I love this song, both for Christmas, and especially for peace. Here’s to it!

Obviously I’d Intended To Post This A Few Days Ago, But Didn’t Get It Done.

Enjoy it anyway; it isn’t as if we aren’t going to eat again until next Thanksgiving! I hope not, anyway; if that’s true, be sure to let us know, seriously. Meanwhile, have a smile with music.

Music for Peace

Bee brings back 99 Luftballons for the Peace Song challenge.

If you didn’t get the German version in her blog post (I got both English,) here it is:

Here’s a rocker for my today’s selection; it may be more protest than peace, but peace is the objective, of course.

Music For Peace

First, here is a video to go with Bee’s post here yesterday:

(in case her initial video was unavailable.) Today, we get 2 from Bee, as she observes the Blogger’s Global Strike For Gaza. Post 1, then Post 2!

Three videos is plenty; I’ll do one next time! ☮ 🕊 ✌

Music For Peace

Bee brings us another song for peace; the video is not available in some areas, but she’s transcribed the lyrics in her post below. I think you’ll appreciate her entire post.

For my selection: this is not the usual rock or folk that I’ve been posting; it’s very beautiful, all the same. I’ve been curious about it since Bee began the Peace Song Challenge, so today’s the day! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Music For Peace

Bee brings us a classic Cranberries piece, with a good message about peace in Ireland.

I’ve loved this song since I was a kid; we actually learned it in Sunday School! I still think it’s a fine peace song. Enjoy Peter, Paul, and Mary, with their Hammer!

Music For Peace

Bee brings a choral arrangement of “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”

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I’d been thinking of this song over this past week; today I was pleased to see it on another blog, so this one from the Isley Brothers is my choice. There are other covers, maybe almost equal to this one, which you can see at the page linked “another blog.” Enjoy! It’s smooth.

Music For Peace

Just a short bit with the video for today from Bee. Same from me, below hers.

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I choose this one, because the music of it brings me peace. I bet I’m not the only one. It’s a peaceful song.