Smokey Robinson's 1975 hit single provided the name for the "quiet storm" radio programming format and the music category.

Quiet storm is a late-night radio format, featuring soulful slow jams, pioneered in the mid 1970s by then station intern Melvin Lindsey at WHUR-FM, in Washington, D.C. Smokey Robinson's like-titled hit single, released in 1975 as the title track to his third solo album, lent its name to the format and to the radio program that introduced it to the public. Image File history File links Smokey-robinson-page-display. ... Image File history File links Smokey-robinson-page-display. ... William Smokey Robinson, Sr. ... A slow jam is a song with an R&B-influenced melody. ... Melvin Lindsey (1955-1992) was an African-American radio and television personality in the Washington, DC area widely known for originating the Quiet Storm late-night music programming format. ... WHUR-FM, 96. ... William Smokey Robinson, Sr. ... A Quiet Storm is a 1975 album by Motown legend Smokey Robinson. ...

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Lindsey first deejayed for WHUR in 1976 as a stand-in for an employee who failed to report for work because of violent storm that caused power outages and knocked some area radio stations off the air. The response from listeners was positive, and Lindsey stayed on. Founder of Radio One Cathy Hughes, then WHUR station manager, heard of the show's positive reception and responded by giving Lindsey his own show. Image File history File links AmericaAfrica. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Military history of African Americans is that of African Americans in the United States since the arrival of the first black slaves in 1619 to the present day. ... The Atlantic slave trade was the trade of African slaves by Europeans that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... See also: American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) The civil rights movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to all Americans. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The word Maafa (also known as the African Holocaust or Holocaust of Enslavement) is derived from a Kiswahili word meaning disaster, terrible occurrence or great tragedy. ... For the automotive term, see redline. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... 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After a time, the strains of "A Quiet Storm," Robinson's popular recording, became Lindsey's theme music and introduced his time slot every night thereafter. For many, when Robinson's trademark tenor voice wafted out over the airwaves, it signalled a welcome end to the stresses of the workday. "The Quiet Storm" was four hours of melodically soulful music that provided an intimate, laid-back mood tailor-made for late-night listening, and that was the key to its tremendous appeal among adult audiences. The format was an immediate success, becoming so popular that within a few years, virtually every station in the U.S. with a core black, urban listenership adopted a similar format for its graveyard slot.

Melvin Lindsey died of AIDS in 1992, but the "Quiet Storm" format he originated remains a staple in radio programming today, almost 30 years after its inception. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ...

Today, quiet storm is also a broad term given to an array of mellow, slow-groove rhythm and blues/soul music and smooth jazz offerings of the type featured on Melvin Lindsey's WHUR program, and on myriad other stations that followed his lead. Rhythm and blues (also known as R&B or RnB) is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences — first performed by African American artists. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ...

Encompassing a mix of African American music genres, quiet storm music is distinguished by understated, mellow dynamics and relaxed tempos and rhythms. It can be soothingly pensive, or express romantic sentiment. Quiet storm music is similar to soft rock and adult contemporary styles, but it is more closely and unmistakably rooted in R&B, often with jazz extensions. At its best, the style features an urbane sophistication and subdued soulfulness.

Quiet storm programming is credited with launching the careers of Luther Vandross and Anita Baker, and with introducing Sade to U.S. audiences. Classic quiet storm recordings include Frankie Beverly and Maze's "Golden Time of Day," Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," the orchestrations of Philadelphia soul, the recordings of Al Green, Barry White, and Bill Withers, much of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery's work during his CTI (Creed Taylor, Incorporated) years, and the work of jazz-funk saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. Quiet storm was most popular as a programming niche with baby boomers from the mid-'70s to the early '90s, after which time much of mainstream R&B took on a harder, hip-hop influenced approach. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... An editor has expressed a concern that the tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for an encyclopedia. ... Helen Folasade Adu (born 16 January 1959), MBE, known professionally as Sade (IPA pronunciation: ), is a Nigerian-born Grammy Award-winning English soul, jazz, R&B, and adult contemporary singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer, noted for her soulful, smoky contralto. ... Maze is an American soul, R&B, and funk band, fronted by Frankie Beverly. ... Funk/soul/Quiet Storm band Maze was established in Philadelphia in the early 1970’s. ... Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ... Conference National Division Eastern Year founded 2004 Home arena Wachovia Center & Wachovia Spectrum(alt. ... For the Democratic Congressman from Texas and the former head of the Houston NAACP, please see Al Green. ... Barry Eugene White (born Barrence Eugene Carter, September 21, 1944) – July 4, 2003) was a Grammy Award winning American record producer, songwriter and singer responsible for the creation of numerous hit soul and disco songs. ... Bill Withers (born July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia) is an American singer-songwriter who performed and recorded from the late 1960s until the mid 1980s. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... John Leslie Wes Montgomery was an African-American jazz guitarist. ... Soul jazz was a development of hard bop which incorporated strong blues and gospel influences in music for small groups featuring keyboards, especially the Hammond organ. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored instrument of the woodwind family, usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece like the clarinet. ... Grover Washington, Jr. ...

WHUR radio still has a "Quiet Storm" show; and many urban, black radio stations still reserve their late-night programming slots for quiet storm music, as well. Now included in the genre is music with a hip-hop infusion, known as neo soul. Neo soul artists today include Raphael Saadiq, John Legend, Brian McKnight, Joe, Jaheim, D'Angelo, Maxwell, Mary J. Blige, India.Arie, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys. Quiet storm music is also the more mellow, soulful side of smooth and contemporary jazz. Neo soul (also known as nu soul) is a musical genre of the late 1990s and early 2000s that fuses contemporary R&B, 1970s style soul, classical music, jazz, and elements of alternative-hip hop. ... Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, California) is an acclaimed American music artist. ... John Legend (born John Stephens December 28, 1978 in Springfield, Ohio) is a five-time Grammy Award winning R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Brian McKnight on the cover of his 2005 album Gemini Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is a Grammy nominated American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and one of the prominent singers of his years, specializing in pop and R&B. He is a multi-instrumentalist and... Joe Lewis Thomas (born July 5, 1973), usually credited simply as Joe, is an American R&B singer and record producer. ... Jaheim on the cover of his 2006 album Ghetto Classics Jaheim Hoagland (also known simply as Jaheim) is an American R&B singer. ... DAngelo (born Michaela Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974 in Richmond, Virginia) is a Grammy Award winning American soul singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. ... Maxwell is a common Scottish, English, or Irish name that may refer to: // Anna Maxwell (1851–1929) Augustus Maxwell (1820–1903) Blakey Harris James 2006 Colt Telecom Brian Maxwell (1953–2004) Carmen Maxwell Cedric Maxwell (born 1955) Charlie Maxwell (born 1927) David Maxwell (academic) David Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of... Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971 in The Bronx, New York), is a six-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B, soul, and hip-hop soul singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and actress who has sold over forty million albums around the world since her career began in 1991. ... India Arie Simpson (born October 3, 1975), professionally known as India. ... Jill Scott (born April 4, 1972) is a Grammy Award-winning jazz, rhythm and blues, and neo-soul singer and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Lauryn Noel Hill (born May 25, 1975) is an eight-time Grammy award winning musician, and record producer. ... Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright, February 26, 1971, in Dallas, Texas) is an American neo-soul, R&B/hip hop artist whose work crosses over into jazz. ... Alicia Keys (born Alicia J. Augello-Cook on January 25, 1980) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, philanthropist, and author. ... Smooth jazz is generally described as a genre of music that utilizes instruments (and, at times, improvisation) traditionally associated with jazz and stylistic influences drawn from, among other sources, funk, pop and R&B. Since the late 1980s, it has become highly successful as a radio format; one can tune... Smooth jazz is a controversial term, denoting a form of music that many jazz lovers do not consider to be a form of jazz, and that others do. ...

Most recently, in 2007, Premiere Radio Networks launched a nationally syndicated nightly radio program based upon the Quiet Storm format, known as The Keith Sweat Hotel. Premiere Radio Networks syndicates some of the most popular radio programs in the United States. ... Keith Sweat (born Keith Crier on July 22, 1961 in Harlem, New York), is a popular R&B/soul singer, songwriter, record producer and a major contributor to the New jack swing era. ...

External links

• "Listeners Jammin' to the Quiet Storm, Radio's Most Romantic Couple of Hours" The Virginian-Pilot, February 13, 1995
• "Slow jamz and quiet storms" Cheryl Coward
• Ebony article mentioning Cathy Hughes' credit for the format