15 Soul Legends Who STOLE Their Biggest 70s Hits

Описание: The 1970s was the golden age of soul music. But it was also the golden age of theft.
This deep dive exposes 15 R&B icons who became legends on songs they never wrote—and reveals the tragic stories of the real creators who got erased from history. From Gladys Knight's Grammy-winning "performances" of a white songwriter's work to a session bassist who created the most influential groove of the decade for $50.
We're not talking about legal covers or homages. We're talking about cultural erasure, stolen credit, and an industry that made fortunes while the real artists died in obscurity.
🎵 ARTISTS EXPOSED:

Roberta Flack - "Killing Me Softly"
Gladys Knight - "Midnight Train to Georgia"
The O'Jays - "Love Train"
Billy Paul - "Me and Mrs. Jones"
The Staple Singers - "I'll Take You There"
Plus 10 more devastating stories

📋 SOURCES:
Every claim is backed by:

Billboard chart archives
BMI/ASCAP songwriter databases
Court documents and legal filings
Industry interviews and artist testimonies
Music historian documentation

⚠️ VIEWER DISCRETION:
This video contains uncomfortable truths about beloved artists. We're not canceling anyone—we're crediting the people history forgot. The goal is to honor the real creators, not tear down the performers.
THE HARD TRUTH:

Some artists admitted the theft decades later
Some fought legal battles until they died
Some never knew their work built someone else's empire
All of them deserved better

🔔 WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
With streaming royalties and sampling, these songs are making MORE money than ever. Meanwhile, the creators' families see nothing. This isn't just history—it's ongoing injustice.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - The Industry's Best Kept Secret
1:20 - #15: Roberta Flack's Grammy-Winning "Cover"
2:45 - #14: The Hues Corporation's Disco Lie
4:05 - #13: Barry White's Orchestral Theft
5:25 - #12: Rose Royce's Borrowed Funk
6:50 - #11: Harold Melvin's Philly Soul Secret
8:15 - #10: Gladys Knight's First Stolen Hit
9:40 - #9: Sam & Dave's Memphis Mirage
11:05 - #8: The Four Tops' Motown Deception
12:30 - #7: The O'Jays' Message They Didn't Write
13:55 - #6: Billy Paul's Affair With Someone Else's Song
15:20 - #5: Bill Withers' Gospel "Inspiration"
16:45 - #4: The Meters' Disputed Groove
18:10 - #3: The Producer Who Saved Bill Withers
19:35 - #2: Gladys Knight Strikes Again
21:00 - #1: The $50 Bass Line Worth Millions
22:30 - Why History Only Remembers the Thieves

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Which story shocked you most? Do you think these artists deserve criticism or was it just "the industry"? Should the original creators' families receive retroactive royalties?
👍 If this changed how you hear these classics, smash that like button
🔔 Subscribe for Part 3: The 1980s Thefts (Even BIGGER names)
📢 Share this with someone who thinks they know music history

RELATED VIDEOS:

15 R&B Legends of the 60s Who Stole Their Hits
The Dark Side of Motown's Hit Factory
Session Musicians Who Made Millions for Others (And Got Nothing)

MUSIC CREDITS:
All clips used under Fair Use for educational/documentary purposes. Full credit to original composers and performers listed in pinned comment.
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