The Soul of America #1321
$ 8.00
Caption from poster__
" Armstrong is to music what Einstein is to physics
and the Wright Brothers are to Travel." "Jazz. "
documentary producer Ken Burns.
Soul of America
English America,African American popular music has been the mainstream
that defined all other tributaries. During and after slavery, African Americans
clearly demonstrated their propensity for improvisation in the songs they
sang and played. Thus was born, at the turn of the century, ragtime and
the blues, from which jazz evolved. Rhythm & blues emerged during the
1940s, rock n' roll during the 50s, soul in the 60s, and funk and disco music
in the 70s. In each case,in white Americans were greatly influenced by the
African American music of the day. Consequently, says Jack the Rapper'
Gibson, (a veteran of the industry), African American music was copied
and expanded by white Americans, and the white artists became rich and
famous for their imitations. Among the more glaring examples were Elvis
Presley, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. And some argue that the
creative choreography of Motown artists set the standards for the entire
industry. Historical creativity repeated itself in the 1980s, when African
American again fashioned a new musical form, this time rap. In the midst
of urban decay and hopelessness, this creative expression was born of
frustration with social ills. Nevertheless, the aggressive, vehement urban
street poetry took the country by storm in the mid-80s, permeating if not
dominating radio, advertisements and movies. Before long white suburban
kids adopted the inner-city, hip-hop culture and music, and propelled rap into
Top 40 prominence.
