Curatorial Project: James Brown in Michael Jackson’s Life
1. Topic Question:
Unquestionably one of the most influential musical pioneers of the last half-century, James Brown, often known as “The Godfather of Soul”, laid a musical foundation that many artists were influenced by. Ranging from Mick Jagger to Afrika Bambaataa to Jay Z, Brown’s musical characteristics can be seen in various artists. How did the music of Michael Jackson demonstrate the influence of James Brown?
2. Introduction:
“The Godfather of Soul”, better known as James Brown grew to be one of the most influential artists in Michael Jackson’s life. As a child Michael Jackson was intrigued by Brown’s flamboyant performances on stage and would soon begin to implement them into his own stage acts. By the age of five Michael Jackson was already sealed into a world of show business by his father, Joseph Jackson. Deprived of a childhood at a very young age, Michael and his siblings began a family-musical group called “The Jackson 5.” They began playing the soul hits they listened to on the radio all across the country. The band toured the Midwest extensively from 1966 to 1968, frequently performing at clubs and bars. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of Motown hits and a cover of “I Feel Good (I Got You)” by James Brown. It wasn’t until July 23, 1968 where they received major recognition by Motown owner, Berry Gordy. Gordy was reluctant to sign the “Jackson 5” but after their audition performance of the song “I Got the Feelin”, by James Brown, he changed his mind. In March 1969, “The Jackson 5”, were officially signed into Motown records. This marked a historical point in Michael Jackson’s life where his musical influences from James Brown...
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This paper will be an updated version of my last paper which talked about a portion of Barry Gordy's background, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations and their start at Motown. How Motown was the first American music label owned by an African-American, the first music label to successfully market black artists to white mainstream audiences. How Motown was responsible for discovering, mentoring, and perfecting a lot of American popular music's most influential and successful artists and the best albums and artists and what new artists have entered Motown.
Berry Gordy played a significant role in the 1960’s African American shift into the American Music Industry through the establishment of the highly recognised company and genre “Motown”. As the Founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy introduced to the American Music Industry some of the biggest artists of all time take the stage and within a decade created the “Black Pop” genre, which was listened to and purchased from a segregated audience. The business changed the way record labels would polish, nurture and distribute their artist, having an impact on the number of jobs that were introduced into the Music Industry, dealing and consulting with marketing, artist development, choreography, stylists and costume designers. With Berry Gordy’s all
Although Motown no longer dominates the charts like it once did, Gordy's impact on the music trade can't be overstated. Motown's sound influenced everybody from the rock band and the Rolling Stones to newer chart-toppers like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. A real pioneer, Gordy assembled nothing but the rock 'n' roll era's most outstanding list of artists, musicians, songwriters and producers, and in pursuing his dream, he brought 2 races together through music.
“We stuck to who we were at Motown, and the world came around…” Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown records relayed at the Occidental College’s 125th commencement ceremony in 2007. Motown was “the new voice of America” due to its great impact and influence on the music industry and society. Numerous events were happening in America at that time and Berry Gordy identified several of these factors to target the music of Motown and its artists to young audiences in specific ways. There were various social, musical and cultural factors that were critically important and of these factors, Gordy identified the segregation and the civil rights movement, the music and cultural aspects of the black community at that time. These factors had huge impacts
Motown is the sound that changed America. No other record company in history had more than 180 number 1 hit songs worldwide and counting. Motown just recently celebrated their 50th anniversary of the company’s founding. Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Jackson 5, and many much brought together racially divided country and segregated society around the world. In this essay I first will tell you more information about Motown and where it got its name from, I then will tell you about Marvin Gaye and his history dealings with Motown, next I will talk about Stevie Wonder and explain his life and how he became a part of Motown, and lastly I will talk about Jackson 5 and talk about how they became a group and their dealings with Motown.
We will look into the life of James Brown. He is known for his music. In his life, he had to face many obstacles, but through determination, he changed his life cycle. We will touch on the influences in his life, developmental stage and theories that best fit his personality.
An icon for decades, legend for an eternity, Michael Jackson 's impact on the world continues to thrive as a silhouette amongst pop culture. His music has influenced many people to "Xscape" from the deceptions of all the "Dirty Diana[s]." Yet, his talent has encouraged people to "Scream" through all the "Thriller[s]" they receive as his stardom illuminates the stage as the "Smooth Criminal" of performances. His songs vary from selections that you can "Jam" to, those that promote tough love and adornment, while some are advocates for equality. Jackson is and will remain one of the most profound superstars of his time and one of most dynamic artist in "HIStory."
Michael Jackson was a prominent role model of the 1980’s and 90’s and his songs influenced a lot people. He is known as “The King Of Pop” due to many of his songs and his talented singing voice and dancing. He started at a young age, beginning his singing career at the age of 5 years old. Here he joined his brothers and made The Jackson 5. By his teenage years he began to stand out and started his own solo career as an artist. One of Michael’s biggest problems he had to face was a horrible skin condition called Vitiligo. It is a chronic skin condition that causes loss of pigment. Irregular pale patches of skin are the outcome of this pigment loss and a lot of people refer to it as “turning from black to white.” Jackson’s doctor, Patrick Treacy, reported to the public, “It is well documented that in 1986, Michael was diagnosed with Vitiligo” (). This was the beginning of his transformation. He saw both sides of each race, which helped his relate to one of his very popular songs, “Black or White.”
Introduction: Perhaps no one has received this title in history “the king of pop”, now a days many artist’s have arisen and have performed but not as the king of pop known worldwide and in history, has dominated the world of pop as Michael Jackson.
Throughout history, and even today, music has shaped America’s culture, society, and even politics. One of the most outstanding and enduring musical movement has been from African American artists, ranging from bebop to jazz to hip-hop to rap. During the 1920’s , jazz artists stepped into the limelight and began their impact on American and even world history. Louis Armstrong was one of the most influential leaders during the Harlem Renaissance and his jazz legacy and impact of American history is everlasting. A master of his craft, Armstrong and his music heavily influenced America’s white and black populations from the 1920’s and up until his death.
Jackson also influenced one of today's most popular music artists Bruno Mars who stated why he liked Michael Jackson so much:
You know him as the singer, the dancer, and the song writer. As the famous Artist whose words were often binary. As a man that was regarded with much adulation and scrutiny for singing and acting with audacity. The one and only, Michael Joseph Jackson, well known performer and the producer of many great songs, as well as the inventor of the moonwalk. Jackson often released songs that had powerful messages behind them e.g. 'We Are the World' and “Black and White”. Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” released as part of the “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I” album in 1996, was addressed to “the people” in an effort to promote equality, justice, and peace. However, it led to unexpected controversy
When America first met Jackson, he was a charming, likeable young teen that had a solid voice playing with his music family group called the Jackson 5. The flow of his music had: pop, rock, disco and jazz; Jackson tone had all of that. He began his solo career in which he became one of the most dominate figure in the music industry. The released of Thriller was the six album that had the world thrilled since this type of genre was never seen before. Every month 1 million of copies were sold. A mixture of tones, and fashion outfitted his dancing moves. Michael Jackson a singer and songwriter referred by his fans the “King of Pop” or by his initials “MJ” had a much bigger vision not only to rejuvenate music but to change people’s life throughout his talent and dedication he had towards his music. Jackson helped brake barriers being the first African American to ever appear in the MTV. The album Thriller changed the dynamic of the world in how we appreciate music. This mix of tones was much likeable to dance than any artist at the time. Michael Jackson with his album released Thriller in 1983 conquered the pop culture in how we listen music in today society. Michael Jackson made music video a viable art form instead of an advertising stunt, putting in special effects, themes, dance routines, and cameo appearances in to them. Although earlier the videos were viewed in most cases as a way to generate “buzz”, the music videos of Michael Jackson were like a magnate that you couldn’t separate the song from the images of thriller.
Michael Jackson was a talent person throughout his child hood on to his death. Michael father was very hard on him. He also molded Michael into a musical group in the early 1960s. Michael joined his siblings when he was five years old. As a child he performed as the lead singer in the group, which known as Jackson5. Michael always impressed audiences with his ability to convey complex emotion. (biography.com)
“A star can never die. It just turns into a smile and melts back into the cosmic music, the dance of life,” Michael Joseph Jackson once said. Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, musician and dancer. He was one of nine children born in a working-class African American family. Michael was introduced to music by his parents at a very young age and since then his potential in singing and dancing began to emerge. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life made him a worldwide figure in popular culture for over four decades (“Biography”). Although Michael Jackson was a controversial figure, he had a massive influence on the world, through inspiring music, breathtaking performances, and generous charities; he will always be remembered as one of the most significant artists in America.