The Winstons

Creators of the Amen Break, Influential Funk and Soul Band

The Winstons were an American funk and soul music group, active during the late 1960s and early 1970s. They are most famous for their 1969 hit single "Color Him Father," which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1970. The band was formed in Washington, D.C., and consisted of members including lead vocalist and songwriter Richard Spencer. Despite their brief period of mainstream success, The Winstons have left a lasting legacy in the world of music through the drum break from their B-side track "Amen, Brother." This six-second drum solo, performed by drummer G.C. Coleman, became one of the most widely sampled loops in hip-hop and dance music history, known as the "Amen break." It has been used in countless tracks across various genres, making it an iconic piece of music history. However, despite this widespread influence, The Winstons did not achieve sustained commercial success and eventually disbanded.