Soul music was the result of the urbanization and commercialisation of rhythm and blues in the '60s. Soul music made it's way north, east and west via the same train routes that carried rural black workers from their homes in the south to the industrial north. As these 'Blues People' made their way north, the music that they brought with them fused with the sophisticated urban sounds of jazz to create the sound called rhythm & blues. As this music, known as R&B, began to gain acceptance among white people, it became split artificially and became known as 'rock 'n' roll' (for whites only) and soul (for blacks only). During the first part of the '60s, soul music remained close to its R&B roots. However, musicians pushed the music in different directions; usually, different regions of America produced different kinds of soul. In urban centres like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, the music concentrated on vocal interplay and smooth productions. In Detroit, Motown concentrated on creating a pop-oriented sound that was informed equally by gospel, R&B, and rock 'n' roll.

• The Music: extremely varied styles but most with strong R&B roots, lots of brass instruments, and powerful vocal performances.
• The Lyrics: catchy and lyrical, love love love, you done me wrong, you do me right.
• The Guitar: mainly an accompanying role, occasional funky riff.
• The Equipment: lots of brass instruments, vocal harmonies and backing singers.
• The Image: casual, meaningful stance, good dancers, all-nighters in Wigan Casino's.
• The Bands: James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Otis Redding, Ray Charles.