"He sang some of the greatest protest songs of all time," remembered his friend Pete Seeger. "He had the heart of a champion." (Obrecht) Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter came from humble beginnings (Jan. 21, 1885 - Dec. 6, 1949), he was a singer, a composer and to my mind probably one of our first character performers on stage (much like Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison would become), one of those rare breeds of musician who was as passionate about the party as well as the music he made there. A man large of stature and talent he was indeed one of those we speak of when we say that modern man stands on the shoulders of giants. Musically speaking Lead Belly's voice was what they call in the blues business “field-holler strong” that is a diaphragm powerful enough to push his voice out and out across long open fields where the expression comes from. His guitar playing was just as large and expansive. The style in which …show more content…
From his wealth of protest songs like "The Bourgeois Blues” and "Scottsboro Boys." to his ability to cross class and race lines to perform in colleges and for educational radio programs teaching the White man about his people, the places he had lived and the stories that had been passed down to him via song, must have given him not only a tremendous sense of purpose but joy in sharing what he loved to do most. His music gave him a voice in an era where other poor black men had no voice at all. Lomax was the one to set up these interviews and lecture hall performances for him. It was Lomax who got Lead Belly billing and favorable ad campaigns. Heck Lomax even sent for Lead Belly's wife and gave him a second wedding and helped to set up a home for him and his wife in the Northeast while he toured the college circuit with John and
James Earl Jones’s early life was difficult, and he was a part of the Great Migration. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi in 1931. Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents, for his father had left his mother when Jones was very young. She too left him at a young age, but visited from time to time. “I rejoiced in her visits, yet her impending departure brought me to grief” (Jones 18). Jones’s grief was routed in a feeling of abandonment. His did not see his father for many years, and his mother’s visits were infrequent, but his grandparents were very loving, and he would respect them as his parents (Jones 21). His attachment to his grandparents profoundly affected his life when he was nearly abandoned again. At age 5, his grandparents decided to move north to Michigan, and on the way they stopped by Memphis, Tennessee where they attempted to leave Jones with his paternal grandmother. ...
One of his most famous poems was "Lift Every Voice and Sing." His brother later added music to the poem. It is considered to be the unofficial "Negro National Anthem". It was a bold piece of work that spoke of the struggle of the African American in America and his optimistic hope for a better future.
He was the first jazz artist to sell over one million copies of a single record – “Minnie the Moocher” – and he went on to record many albums. Cab made an average of $50,000 a year, even during the middle of the Great Depression when so many people were out of work and poor. He invented a new form of jazz singing, “scatting,” and ended up doing what he had always dreamed of: being an entertainer and seeing the smiles on peoples faces everyday. Perhaps more importantly, he changed the music industry by proving black entertainers could perform before white audiences. In these ways and others, modern black hip-hop and jazz artists owe a debt of gratitude to Cab Calloway.
The music industry during the 1940s was filled with many talented artists who impacted the music industry and the history of rock n’ roll forever. But one of the very well known and talented artists was Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly was the first to pioneer new music genres and progressive music. Charles Hardin Holley (1936-1959) was an American musician and artist whose creative career began in 1956. The family name is correctly spelled “Holley” but his first recording contract from Decca Records in 1956 spelled his last name “Holly” and he kept it that way for the rest of his career (Griggs 1). Holly took a very influential position in the music industry and built an audience for his Rock and Roll music very quickly due to his unique voice and advanced knowledge of music. Buddy Holly is a prime example of a musical pioneer who blended resources from various music genres including a variety of popular genres such as rhythm and blues (RNB), oriental, and African (Schinder and Schwartz 85).
Most of leadbellys songs were covered in later years by white rock and roll groups such as led Zepplin and Johnny Cash (Wolf 69). Often times the new imitated version of the song would be misinterpreted from its intended meaning. This shows how black American folk music later evolved into blues/ rock and roll and then was utilized by white American artists for a profit without owing credit to the original artist or artists.. Each of these songs were the product of American political, social, and economical society in the 1940’s and 50’s. Most of the songs were reminisce of the African American struggle.
Joan Baez, a famous folk singer, sang her most famous song “Oh Freedom” during the civil rights movement. She expressed her want and need for equality and freedom f...
Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In the 1950’s the South was heavily racially segregated. Elvis Presley unintentionally put himself in the position to become a valuable instrument in the battle against segregation. “Without casting himself as a fighter for racial equality, Elvis became a subversive standard bearer for cultural desegregation at a time when the codified racism of the South was under increasing pressure.” How did an uneducated white hillbilly from the south influence both black and white teenagers against segregation? It was quite simple, for Elvis Presley had a unique talent of combining traditional black music; such as the blues and jazz, with the traditional white music; like country and white gospel. This unique style of blending different types of music, gave Elvis the edge on the musical racial barriers America was facing; and open the path for both sides to enjoy the music together and therefore desegregated.
He had exposure to several different genres growing up in his St. Louis, MO hometown. He heard country from the whites, rhythm & blues (R&B) from mostly blacks, even Latin music. His family environment set him up well for future success while growing up in a middle class home in the middle of the Great Depression of the 1930s. His parents sun...
...ricans." "Goodnight Irene" was Leadbellys first signature song. The lyrics reflect the singers trouble in connection to his relationships with woman. The song expressed his sadness and frustration in regards to his feelings for her. He makes references to suicide. Sometimes I take a great notion to jump in the river and drown. Lead belly failed to stir the enthusiasm of Harlem audiences. Instead, he attained success playing at concerts and benefits for an audience of leftist folk music(Cohan 26). He was written up as a heroic figure by the black novelist, Richard Wright a member of the communist party. Although Leadbelly was a-political, he often wrote songs and performed at labor unions and political rallies.(Lomax 44) Many of his experiences in the 20th century, much similar to other African Americans consisted of combating racism, segregation, and classism.
Some people are born to become legends, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. From the second he was born and through his younger years everyone knew he was destined for something bigger than a regular nine to five life, they just didn’t realize the magnitude of what was to come. Born into a all around food middle-class family, no on in that house hold even Bruce, didn’t realize that within fifty years he would reach living legend status. Also have a title of one of the best musicians to every live. After working hard at what he loves, Bruce has become known as a musical hero and inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians. With his deep lyrics, amazing stage presence, incredible guitar skills, and his passion, he is an untouchable force in the music industry. Using his lyrics to vent his emotions and past, but to also add awareness to social issues around the world. Bruce and his love for music affected him his whole life, and has shaped into what he is today. His music now affects the world. His music has truly changed the world (musically and socially) forever.
Louis Armstrong’s rendition of “(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue” altered various components of the original tune as he incorporated several jazz techniques typical of the 1920’s and pulled the piece out of its original context of Broadway. Doing so greatly changed the piece as a whole and its meaning, to call attention to the necessity of civil rights for the black population. Armstrong’s life was not purely devoted to music. As a civil rights advocate for the black population in the U.S., he grabbed the attention of the government through his fame and helped to bring equal rights to his brethren. But at times, Armstrong allowed his actions to undermine the importance of African American civil rights, which created negative sentiments
Before the war started, a wealthy white man by the name of John Hammond worked to integrate black and white music.1 Since his childhood, he enjoyed the music of numerous black artists, and he wanted to share his love with the rest of America. He used much of his inherited fortune to make this possible. He went against the general opinion of society and his parents, who despised black people. Hammond refused to ignore black artists’ musical abilities because of their color, “I did not revolt against the system, I simply refused to be a part of it.”2 He used his money to organize the most eclectic group of musicians ever assembled, for an integrated audience of his time. Hammond’s efforts made an indelible impact on the music industry. The musicians Hammond introduced in...
Pete Seeger, an influential folk singer and songwriter, explored a new and powerful way to express his anti-war thoughts during the 1950s. Through his passionate singing and “banjo-picking”, he peacefully protested issues in the country. During his career, Seeger received support, but he also encountered opposition. Nevertheless, Seeger persevered and not only helped pave a permanent path into the future for folk music and its singers, but also ushered in political change that reflected a national movement toward peace.
...le. He worked through the struggles and difficulties to make sure that his goals were accomplished. The actions he took allowed African Americans to gather hope and lead a change in our world.
In the year 1925 on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi a boy was born. This boy would turn into one of the most influential blues players in history. He was been nominated for 30 grammy and he has won 15 of them. For a man who truly lived the blues lifestyle, he played 342 times in the year 1952. He wanted to bring the black community joy and his music spoke to so many people his audience grew world wide, covering every race that has heard his guitar playing and his voice. King had a rough childhood that gave him the material to make so many wonderful songs. This paper will guide you through the life and masterpieces of BB king.