Over the years, R&B, soul, and gospel music have transformed the world and helped to make it a more integrated and accepting place. Artists in these genres have pushed at the boundaries of the form and integrated new styles. Modern pop music would certainly not exist in its present form without these innovations. In this detailed examination, you will learn how gospel influenced R&B and soul, the ways these genres have changed over the past century, and how these innovations shaped the modern music you hear today.

Contents:Chapter 1: Introduction to gospel, R&B and soul music -- Chapter 2: Soul and R&B start taking form -- Chapter 3: The challenge and changes of the 1970s and 1980s -- Chapter 4: Soul and R&B transform in the 1990s -- Chapter 5: Changes in the Twenty-First Century -- Chapter notes -- Series glossary of key terms -- Chronology -- Further reading -- Internet resources -- Index -- Author's biography and credits -- Key icons to look for.