Unsung Episode Guide, Season 2 - Pazsaz Entertainment Network

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Minnie Riperton
With her near-operatic six octave vocal range, Riperton, the dynamic singer and songwriter, is best known for her quietly stunning 1975 ballad Lovin' You. Riperton began her career with the 60's pop group Rotarty Connection but it was the success of Lovin' You that had seemingly propelled her to solo superstardom. Instead, tragically, she was diagnosed with breast cancer the following year. Riperton used her celebrity to serve as the first Black woman spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and was later honored by President Jimmy Carter with the Society's Courage Award. Sadly, on July 12, 1979, at the age of 31, Riperton died in the arms of her husband Dick Rudolph, while listening to a song written for her by Stevie Wonder. With exclusive interviews from her family and friends, UnSung explores the both heartbreaking and inspiring story of Minnie Riperton.

Melba Moore
It could have been her Grammy nominated cover of the Bill Withers classic Lean On Me or her Tony Award-winning performance in Purlie that solidified her place in America's hearts, but either way, Melba Moore was born to shine. The daughter of jazz saxophonist Teddy Hill and R&B singer Bonnie Davis, Moore survived a tough childhood and went on to achieve great success. She first lit up the stage in Hair and eventually replaced Diane Keaton in the play, becoming the first Black actress ever to replace a White actress on Broadway. Showing her versatility, Moore also scored several pop hits and earned several Grammy nods for Best New Artist and Album, Peach Melba. Moore was also quite the business woman; she had her own line of sportswear, a management company, a record-producing company and television shows. It seemed like she had it all until her husband/manager wronged her both professionally and personally and everything turned into a pile of debt. Moore found herself on welfare and shunned by her friends and family. UnSung tells the fighting story of Melba Moore.

Shalamar
Shalamar's talent was first realized after the Motown-inspired Uptown Festival, where Dick Griffey rushed to permanently replace his session singers with vocalists Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett. When Griffey created this disco-driven vehicle and hooked them up with R&B producer Leon Sylvers, they scored big with their hit The Second Time Around. The group was on fire and had a string of UK hits that boosted sales and fans. It seemed like nothing was going to stop them - until two key members left the trio over "artistic differences." The group took a knock but replaced Watley and Daniel with Delisa Davis and Micki Free. Shalamar returned to the charts with Dancing in the Sheets and Don't Get Stopped in Beverly Hills. Through interviews with the original members and those who knew them best, UnSung takes you on the journey of Shalamar.

Florence Ballard
She was the founding, original, lead-singing member of one of the biggest girl groups ever, The Supremes. Originally The Primettes, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diane Ross enlisted neighborhood friend Smokey Robinson to help them score a record deal with Motown. Barry Gordy signed The Supremes but after several singles that didn't break the Top 40, he shuffled Ross into the lead position. With the success of hits like When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes and Where Did Our Love Go, Diana Ross became the star. Ballard grew frustrated with her new role in the group and fell prey to depression and alcoholism, factors that weighed heavily in Gordy's decision to abruptly and permanently dismiss her from the group in 1967. After an unsuccessful attempt at a solo career, Ballard spent the next few years raising her three daughters on welfare, the victim of a bad marriage and in legal drama with Motown. After an accident settlement, things began to turn around-Ballard purchased a home and began making public appearances. Sadly, in 1976, Ballard died of a coronary thrombosis at the age of thirty-two. Her death has been called "one of rock's greatest tragedies." UnSung looks at the often forgotten story of Florence Ballard through exclusive interviews with friends and family.

Teena Marie
There may never be a more soulful, sexy, funky combination of voice and music like that which emanates from the "Ivory Queen of Soul," Teena Marie. Her phenomenal range and unique tone has made her among the most recognizable voices in R&B. At the age of 17, Teena fulfilled her childhood dream of a music career when she signed with Motown Records. There, she teamed up musically - and for a time, romantically - with funk master Rick James, who produced her debut album, Wild and Peaceful. A hit song with James, Fire and Desire, along with Teena's robust sound and powerful delivery, helped to overcome long standing racial barriers between black audiences and white singers. Teena talks about leaving Motown at the height of her career, losing her long-time friend Rick James and her fight to take control of her life.

Bootsy Collins
While his star-shaped sunglasses and outrageous outfits helped him stand-out, it was his pioneering bass lines that helped to define the sounds of both James Brown and George Clinton. Thanks to his older brother Catfish Collins, Bootsy learned to play bass while growing up in the ghetto. His love of music led him to King Records, where he forged a relationship with his 'second father,' James Brown. Brown's tough love and brilliant leadership helped prepare the natural musician when he joined forces with George Clinton in Parliament/Funkadelic. Bootsy later took his larger than life persona and led the group Bootsy's Rubber Band. Told in his own words, Bootsy candidly shares the personal problems which led him to withdraw from the scene at the height of his career and what ultimately brought him back.

Klymaxx
The reign of Girl Power in the realm of funk began, and some say ended, with the all-female group of feminist funksters known as Klymaxx. The group of six succeeded in breaking down the boys only world of R&B in the mid '80s with hits like Meeting in the Ladies Room and The Men All Pause. The ladies' success also helped launch the careers of producing superstars Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. After success with pop ballad I Miss You, it seemed these girls couldn't be touched but the group split when the strains of success began to take its toll. From there climb to success to their fall from grace, the ladies of Klymaxx share their explosive story.

ZAPP
For twenty years, the Zapp band created hits that sparked fires on dance floors worldwide. Situated somewhere in the funk zone between Prince and Parliament, the Troutman brothers, Lester, Terry, Larry and Roger, crafted a sound so flavorful, yet so polished, that they pulled together audiences of fans black, brown and white. Roger's talk box touch helped hits like Computer Love and I Wanna be Your Man soar up the charts, yet even with all of their success, the group spun out of control when Larry killed Roger and then turned the gun on himself. Ten years later, the Zapp family is back together and their sharing the untold story of the amazing yet tragic journey of their lives.