The Quiet Storm
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #1: “Can You Stand the Rain” – New Edition)
In the mid-1970s, a unique storm started brewing in major cities around the U.S. The accumulating pressure system was mellow; the surge, paradoxically, smooth. This was the Quiet Storm, a radio format that primarily focused on R&B music, mostly of a slow, romantic flavor. Inspired by the Smokey Robinson song, ‘Quiet Storm,’ it is also the title of the new book by author Amani Roberts.
‘The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups’ is a comprehensive exploration of the rise and fall of the R&B group. Roberts leads us on a journey through the smooth jam annals of time. The first half of the book functions as a reference guide for over 50 R&B groups spanning more than five decades. From the Ronettes to the Whispers, and Boyz II Men to Destiny’s Child, they’re all in the book. The second half finds Roberts examining the question: “Why are there no more Black R&B groups in existence?”
What began as a thesis project while Roberts was obtaining his master’s degree in music business eventually grew into a book. Fueled by his passion for R&B, he spent more than four years researching and writing it.
“[In] 2020, I started going to Berklee College of Music, and I finished school, and I finished my thesis and turned everything in December 2021,” He said. “And then from there, do more research, start to write the book, and kind of follow the process all the way through.”
Accompanying us through the decades, Roberts offers thoughtful takes on the musicians and their careers, his personal favorite songs, and, being a world-renowned DJ, he shares his favorite samples for mixing. He even puts QR codes, allowing access to curated playlists on YouTube and Spotify, which lends to the overall vibe of the book.
The Amani Experience
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #2: “Weak” – SWV)
‘The Quiet Storm’ is Roberts’ second book. The first, ‘DJs Mean Business: One Night Behind the Turntables Can Spin Your Company’s Success,’ is an inspired take on finding one’s passions and going for it. Intertwining decades of working in hospitality with the art of growing a business, Roberts also blends in his years of experience as a DJ. Readers learn business strategies vicariously through a 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. set at the club.
“I try to use time slots for that, where you might run into issues with troubleshooting, or, every business has issues, how do you pivot? But still, you can never, the music can never stop,” He said.
A public speaker and host of his own podcast, Roberts is also a professor at Cal State Fullerton. In that capacity, he created a music business class. Adding to this already impressive feat, Roberts partnered with the School of Music at CSUF’s College of the Arts to create an entirely new minor degree program in music business.
Roberts teaches students how to achieve the most success from within the music industry while avoiding the pitfalls. Many of which plagued several of the groups featured in “The Quiet Storm.”
“There’s a lot of groups in the 50s and 60s that didn’t know that they needed to get their songwriting credits. They needed to get their publishing; therefore, they can earn more money over the long term. Whereas, you know, you might see Back to the Future would sample some of these songs for the group,” he explained. “But if they didn’t have their writing or publishing rights, they’re not getting compensated.”
A Love is Born
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #3: “Love Ballad” – L.T.D.)
Growing up in the suburbs of Washington D.C., Amani Roberts’ passion for R&B music was almost predestined. The Quiet Storm radio format started there as well, with Howard University’s own WHUR 96.3 hosting it. Created in 1976 by Melvin Lindsey, the show aired at night and gave listeners a chance to call in and dedicate songs. In later years – a self-described “hopeless romantic” – Roberts sometimes called in with his own dedications.
Roberts cites his father as another inspiration who helped to solidify his love for the genre. Whether it was waking up on the weekends to music playing throughout his house or listening while on a road trip to one of his away soccer games, R&B became the soundtrack to his life. In his young adult years, he found more stations that followed the Quiet Storm format.
“There are other formats of the show that I would listen to, and other state stations like WASH FM 97.1. The DJ’s name was Glenn Hollis, and he was a big DJ. And then every city that I would travel to, to work or to live, would have a similar format. So, you kind of catch on,” he said.
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What the Future Holds
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #4: “Between the Sheets” – The Isley Brothers)
‘The Quiet Storm’ acts as a living tome. With it, Roberts created an ever-evolving endeavor. Eventually, he plans to make a trivia game based on the book, among other things.
“The next step is really to turn this book into a documentary, and so, try to figure out who [I can] partner with that wants to tell the story the right way,” He said. “I’m picturing, I would love it to be on Apple TV because that’s like top-of-the-line documentaries.”
Roberts aspires to put the book in the hands of as many musicians featured in it as possible. The idea is to interview them for the documentary; however, he recognizes a sense of urgency.
“So, the challenge is that a lot of the artists in the book are passing away,” he said. “D’Wayne Wiggins from Tony! Toni! Toné! just passed away last week. You have, I want to say it was Dave from Sam and Dave that passed away about a month ago. So, we are losing people [who] are in the book.”
The Music Never Stops
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #5: “Love You Down” – Ready For The World)
According to Roberts, no singular cause led to the decline of the R&B group, but rather, a culmination of events. He shares that the pain in the title relates to some of those factors. One of the lesser-known examples of pain was the drug abuse that took hold of some of the musicians over the years, leading to the death of artists such as Frankie Lymon of the Teenagers and David Ruffin of the Temptations.
“Drug use, heroin, it was a big deal. It was, I don’t want to say controlled like it is now, but it was just so easy, it was just so tempting. So, that’s part of the pain. Also, the pain of not having your rights and getting your money. And then the pain is also the pain of a love song,” Roberts said. “These love songs were about love and loss, you know, it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. And then the pain of these groups breaking up, so that’s why pain, the word pain is there.”
Acknowledging a definite downtrend in R&B groups, one can relate to Roberts’ sentiments. Yet, the book simultaneously works to ease the pain. The artists profiled in it inhabit all of our collective memories. From school dances to first kisses, mellow kickbacks to chilling alone on rainy nights, their timeless songs resonate with all of us.
Nevertheless, Roberts expresses uncertainty about the future of R&B groups.
“I just don’t, I guess, I’m too close to it now to see how it could come back,” he said. “Now, it could come back. You have artists like Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak coming together and similar artists do that. But, I just don’t know the direction we’re heading. I just don’t see it. I want to be wrong, but it’s really hard to see it.”
One thing is certain: the book “The Quiet Storm” now exists – courtesy of Roberts’ tireless dedication – and keeps the power and the passion alive.
Where to Get ‘The Quiet Storm’ and #GetinMotion with Amani Roberts
(Amani’s Burned Slow Jam CD track #6: “Reasons” – Earth, Wind, & Fire)
‘The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups’ is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or from the book’s website.
Amani Roberts is an acclaimed public speaker who speaks about ‘The Quiet Storm,’ as well as unlocking creativity through the use of music and nostalgia. He uses stories about many of the groups featured in the book to deliver the message. Follow Amani on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Listen to his podcast on Spotify and Apple Music. And check out his website here.
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