<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Valerie Simpson – TENz Magazine</title> <atom:link href="https://tenzmag.com/tag/valerie-simpson/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://tenzmag.com</link> <description>Ballroom Scene . Nightlife . Queer Culture</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:47:35 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-TenzLogo_512.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1</url> <title>Valerie Simpson – TENz Magazine</title> <link>https://tenzmag.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">119751432</site> <item> <title>LEARN’d: Tony Washington – The Queer Lead Motown Singer</title> <link>https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2019 23:59:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[LEARN'd]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dynamic Superiors]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Motown]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nick Ashford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[queer artist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[soul train]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Valerie Simpson]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://tenzmag.com/?p=16203</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Did you know Motown Records signed a group with an openly gay singer in 1972? The Dynamic Superiors‘ lead singer Tony Washington was openly gay, and often performed in gender-bending looks and glam makeup. The group was discovered by Motown Records president Ewart Abner at an Atlanta talent showcase in 1972. The group moved to […]</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/">LEARN’d: Tony Washington – The Queer Lead Motown Singer</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://tenzmag.com">TENz Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Did you know Motown Records signed a group with an openly gay singer in 1972?</strong></h4> <h5><strong>The Dynamic Superiors</strong>‘ lead singer <strong>Tony Washington</strong> was openly gay, and often performed in gender-bending looks and glam makeup.</h5> <a href="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?ssl=1"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="640" height="500" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?fit=640%2C500&ssl=1" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?w=640&ssl=1 640w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?resize=300%2C234&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?resize=110%2C85&ssl=1 110w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-attachment-id="16206" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?fit=640%2C500&ssl=1" data-orig-size="640,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 11" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?fit=300%2C234&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-11.jpg?fit=640%2C500&ssl=1" /></a> <a href="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?ssl=1"><img decoding="async" width="600" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" data-attachment-id="16205" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,600" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 9" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-9.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1" /></a> <h5>The group was discovered by Motown Records president Ewart Abner at an Atlanta talent showcase in 1972. The group moved to Detroit where they developed their sound with now-renowned Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson.</h5> <h5>The Dynamic Superiors would release “Shoe Shoe Shine” in 1975 which went to number 6 on the pop charts and number 16 on the R&B chart, and making their now infamous appearance on Soul Train.</h5> <p><iframe title="Black SOUL music jgblack" width="1200" height="900" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UPfUZGIZMSI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <h5>Motown released album covers that flaunted the group’s connection to the gay community. Their 1st album cover used pink butterflies and overtly feminine colors. Tony is also in full beat.</h5> <a href='https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="700" height="700" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?fit=700%2C700&ssl=1" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?w=700&ssl=1 700w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" data-attachment-id="16209" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?fit=700%2C700&ssl=1" data-orig-size="700,700" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors album tenzmag" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-album-tenzmag.jpg?fit=700%2C700&ssl=1" /></a> <a href='https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-attachment-id="16207" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 7" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-7.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1" /></a> <a href='https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" data-attachment-id="16208" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 8" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-8.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1" /></a> <h5>The group’s second album, “Pure Pleasure” used a man’s legs in a bathtub focusing on their painted nails as the embodiment of Tony.</h5> <p><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Dynamic Superiors" width="1200" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJubHI9fOmg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <h5>The Dynamic Superiors helped break a barrier for openly gay performers, and certainly for Motown Records, which gave the group a multiyear deal in the 1970s.</h5> <a href='https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="761" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?fit=761%2C1024&ssl=1" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?w=928&ssl=1 928w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?resize=223%2C300&ssl=1 223w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?resize=761%2C1024&ssl=1 761w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?resize=768%2C1033&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 761px) 100vw, 761px" data-attachment-id="16210" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?fit=928%2C1248&ssl=1" data-orig-size="928,1248" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 12" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?fit=223%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-12.jpg?fit=761%2C1024&ssl=1" /></a> <a href='https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="716" height="676" src="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?fit=716%2C676&ssl=1" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?w=716&ssl=1 716w, https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?resize=300%2C283&ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" data-attachment-id="16211" data-permalink="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?fit=716%2C676&ssl=1" data-orig-size="716,676" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dynamic superiors tenzmag 16" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?fit=300%2C283&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/tenzmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dynamic-superiors-tenzmag-16.jpg?fit=716%2C676&ssl=1" /></a> <h5>The Dynamic Superior’s final recording came in 1980, and sadly the Dynamic Tony Washington passed away in 1989.</h5> <h5>In 2010, Universal Music finally released The Dynamic Superiors’ first two Motown albums on CD for the first time.</h5> <h4>The Dynamic Superiors helped break a barrier for openly gay performers, and certainly for Motown Records.</h4> <p><iframe loading="lazy" title="LEARN'd: Tony Washington - The Queer Lead Motown Singer" width="1200" height="900" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/en_1bq5Dyjs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://tenzmag.com/learnd-tony-washington-queer-lead-motown-singer/">LEARN’d: Tony Washington – The Queer Lead Motown Singer</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://tenzmag.com">TENz Magazine</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">16203</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total 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