| Author | Message | ||
  Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 4-Laureate Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 159 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Hey SDer's ! What artist would you say had the most influence on actually changing relations on race. For example.....people like Muhammad Ali... James Brown......etc. Peace, Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) chancellorofsoul.com | ||
S.R. (fury13) 2-Debutant Username: fury13 Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.2.196.4 |
Sammy Davis Jr.? Nat King Cole? Louis Armstrong? Certainly, James Brown made a unique impact. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1268 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
I've gotta choose two: 1)James Brown - He turned R&B/Soul entirely upside down. I need say no more about it. At a time when Black wasn't so beautiful, he made it so. His contributions to music & more importantly, the collective psyche of an entire people were invaluable. In that Summer of 1968, Say It Loud, I'm Black & I'm Proud resonated in the hearts & minds of all Blacks. Never before had anyone made that musical statement with such pride & defiance. It was a rallying cry & a source of pride for all of us. Anyone who was there knows what I'm talking about. That one song had major implications & for a brief time, James united us all. Hell, James was so bad, he even had the British singing it along with him on Television shows !!! Now that's Black Pride!!!! 2)Marvin Gaye - What's Going On simply revolutionized the idea of Singer as social commentator. His was the first of several socially conscious LPs & who did it better??. He also tackled various concepts, through various incarnations. First, we had the "ecologist" Marvin, with What's Goin' On. Then, we had the "Sexual" Marvin, with Let's Get It On & I Want You. Then we had "Disco" Marvin, with Got To Give It Up. After which, we had the "angry" Marvin, who gave us Here My Dear. Then, we got the "introspective" Marvin, who gave us In Our Lifetime. Then, we got the "Sexual" Marvin again, who gave us Midnight Love & Sexual Healing. Finally, we had the "freaky" Marvin, who gave us Dream Of A Lifetime, with songs like Masochistic Beauty & Sanctified Lady. He was one of the first to totally personalize his music, be it love, concern for the ecology, war, anger, divorce, romance & sex. His songs were the windows to his soul & for better or for worse, he let us see his vulnerability. Frankly, no one did it better & our music has been forever changed by Marvins' efforts & approach. His double tracking of vocals, call & response with his own vocals. In my opinion, he raised the bar for all singers & producers with the What's Goin On LP. Tell me, who did it better????? | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 174 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.79.97.55 |
Curtis Mayfield~People Get Ready/Keep On Pushing/Choice Of Colors Sly & The Family Stone~Stand/Everyday People Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff~(Song Writing Team) McFadden & Whitehead~Aint No Stopping Us Now O'Jays~Love Train/Family Reunion The Rascals~People Got To Be Free/A Ray Of Hope Stories~(brother) Louie Bobby Taylor & Vancouvers~Does Your Mother Know About Me | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 634 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.21.244.254 |
1960's-early 70's: Muhammed Ali James Brown Curtis Mayfield Marvin Gaye But before that... 1920's thru 1950's, I'd say "All" artists who suffered and broke down barriers, who came before the 60's, opened up doors for artists from the 60's on...People like Paul Robeson, Oscar Misceu (sp), Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Hattie McDaniel, Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Sidney Poitier, and so on...many, many more....... S.S. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1278 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
I should add that Curtis Mayfield & Bob Dylan were definitely socially conscious as well. I went for Marvin's overall influence as regards social commentary & studio innovations, as regards the various vocal textures that he used. He was also the first MOTOWN artist to credit his musicians on his albums. His musicians didn't have to linger in anonymity, as did their Motown predecessors & that was a GREAT thing!!! | ||
Linda Di. (linda_di_fsg) 3-Pundit Username: linda_di_fsg Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.67.197.175 |
Juice -- I with ya on Marvin. Definitely there have been others, but Marvin's consciousness really touched my heart way back. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 232 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Certainly many. The Beatles championed soul artists and took them on tour in '64. The Supremes have not been given enough credit per breaking down barriers and being "love objects" for blacks and whites. Berry Gordy. James Brown--Say It Loud,cannot be underestimated. Chuck Berry and Little Richard emulated by so many whites. Lena Horne. | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 4-Laureate Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 96 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.231.235.155 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo I definitely Have to with Curtis Mayfield.He had influence on everybody.And even though were talking about music we have to go outside music and say Jackie Robinson And Rosa Parks | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 493 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Chancellor: Ill start with Sam Cooke. He was one of the first to start his own publishing companies as an African American man during a turbulant time in this country for African Americans...risk taker... great orator and brilliant in business. He set a good example for a few in the business. James Brown - If he ran for a political office during Kings assasination time, Im conveinced he would have won an an office somewhere. He had the afican American community inthe plam of his hand at one point in his career. Marivn Gaye - Brought awareness musically to the plight of Afican American men in this country and in the war, to state briefly. Stevie Wonder- Took it to the neighborhood with Innervisions - spoke of the Ghetto, living conditions, family, wrongful imprisonment, drugs, sexuality, poverty, religion, love, spirituality and the like. Also Stevie was a mediation / metaphysical vibe...'get into one's self'... John Lennon/Yoko Ono/George Harrison: Political and Spiritual empowerment to the people. Prince - Change the course of music as we knew it 'he unslaved' his 'SLAVE" and started the independant movement for a solo artist almost single handedly, over the internet. Very busines saavy man, and quite bright. Duke Ellington: Brought sophistication to African American music, way back when. His style, grace and presentation is undeniably trend setting for that time and this, many duplicated his style, white and black. Louis Armstrong - Activist and musician alike. "Take me as I am' attitude, 'and my people too'! I believe he is the father of modern jazz...not to many who could put it out there like Louie. Ray Charles - 'I am a man who happens to be blind, not a blind man'...that is one of the most poignant things I have heard any one visually impaired say. He refused to be labeled, 'handicapped'. Trend setter for visually impaired artists to come and be reckoned with. more later... (Message edited by westside314 on June 02, 2004) (Message edited by westside314 on June 02, 2004) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 510 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.26.7 |
Maurice White/EWF made us all spiritually concious thru the seventies. Barry White made us concious of our inner romantic being. Richard Pryor helped us get our laugh on. And War really conveyed peace within the groove. | ||
Edgar (edgar) 3-Pundit Username: edgar Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 200.46.13.159 |
I also thought of The Supremes, Luke, at least because of their image. I think the image of three beautiful, talented and successful African-American young women had a strong impact in sociological terms. Our societies are still oriented to male figures of authority, success, achievement, ideology, science, politics, while women --although they have fought hard to open spaces for themselves and gain respect, dignity and equal opportunities-- are usually seen as supporting characters, even by progressive individuals who know little about sexual politics or gender. The Supremes played with glamour. Maybe they just wanted to look pretty, but concious or not of what their image meant, of the spaces they were opening, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross were having a struggle, one not so obvious, but definitely a struggle in the entertainment world. As a matter of fact, due in part to their paving the way in the early 1960's, some of the unquestionably talented names mentioned above could reach bigger audiences. Luckily The Supremes also could sing, and how. I admit I prefer female performers and I know it's hard to recognize this kind of contribution along with their musical value, because we are talking about image here (and a glamourous one), while some other less polished performers had it really bad and were as talented or more gifted than them. But that does not diminish their contribution and impact. To prove how their contribution is ignored, see how some are celebrating this year the first time The Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan, while The Supremes also did, had their first row of #1 hits and were probably the only act that for a while defended the American colors with almost equal success during the so-called "British invasion." You even see today three beautiful women singing together and the word "Supremes" comes to mind. Before them, Josephine Baker, Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge also come to my mind. | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 3-Pundit Username: paladin Post Number: 42 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 206.185.64.23 |
This was a very heavy question and virtually impossible to answer, think I'll leave that to the historians, maybe from this very forum... James Brown Last Poets Supremes Marvin Maurice White Louis Armstrong Duke Ellington Count Basie Billie Holiday Paul Robeson Tempts Quincy Jones Smokey Robinson Gamble & Huff Norman Whitfield Stevie Wonder Areatha Franklin Lena Horne Chuck Berry Little Richard Curtis Mayfield Hell if you mention The Beatles you might as well include Elvis Presley. Bobby Eli Thom Bell Linda Creed BB King Mr.Thomas Dorsey Carole King Mahalia Jackson Sid Ordower Nat Cole Bessie Smith Scot Joplin This is not a cop out, I really believe the folk I have listed have made significant contributions in relation to the subject matter and thousands more who space just wont permit me to "rag" on. I agree with everyone, however cultural icons have a sense of familiarity that enables them to have an effect over a longer period of time. But music is an art form and certainly as an art form it should remain color blind no matter what we do as producers or consumers with the lyrics of a particular tune. Remember without the lyrics we have music in its purest emotional form without the benefit of politics. For example most of us can give a litany of period pieces from esatblished superstars (you know,this phase soul, that phase,psycadelic) as well as a one hit wonder whose hit record transcended all manners of races and creeds. Like I said an impossible question that strives for debate.........Mike you got an eye and ear for controversy and I'm loving every minute of it.......Music is the great communicator and it should be used to bring people together like Barry White said......Together Brothers........(and sisters) :-) Kdub | ||
Soulaholic (soulaholic) 5-Doyen Username: soulaholic Post Number: 185 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.251.9.20 |
Otis Redding. Enuff said. | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 504 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.212.74.216 |
Barry White - schooled us it is ok for a man to express his inner emotions without feeling like he is a 'sissy'...taught a man that there is more than one way to love a woman...made sex on music classy...told us that working on a relationship overtime is alright... damn I miss Barry... Issac Hayes - Black Moses...(Moses was Black anyway...) I feel Issac was one of the first artist to start baring skin on album covers showing that Black, Bald and bold was beautiful...he was the prototype for Mr. T , with the chains, symbolizing the strength of a Black man never to be broken...I also enjoy Issac approach in music through movement, most of his instrumentals are long and the instruments tell stories of love, hurt, pain, sorrow, survival, partying, sex, money...etc...he is a underrrated musical genius. Linda McCartney - an underrated visual artist. Linda saw the world through the cameras eye, and her own. She had a very creative imagination for color and schematics, and exposed the world to the rest of the world through pictures. She was a philantropist and a great activist/speaker in regard to human rights, and health matters. more later... | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 505 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.212.74.216 |
Otis Redding - 'Minister of Soul' 'Nuff said'. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 238 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Well said Edgar per The Supremes. I think their talent is oftne underrated too--I remember reading how one wintess to their success said they learned so fast and were so good that observers"freaked." Their combined personalities,gifts and styles certainly opened doors and were rolemodels for everyone from Whitney to Destiny's Child--and for male performers as well. Ed Sullivan having them on his show so many times cannot be underestimated. Whoopi Goldberg,Oprah etc have been very direct about what the Supremes acoomplished. NO African American perfromers had had the TV exposure the Supremes accompllished in HISTORY. | ||
Edgar (edgar) 3-Pundit Username: edgar Post Number: 37 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 200.46.15.223 |
In movies, Cesar Romero, Dolores del R�o, Sidney Poitier, Raquel Welch (Raquel Tejada), Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree, Pam Grier, Diana Ross, Edward James Olmos, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Spike Lee... In music, Benny Mor�, D�maso P�rez Prado, Yma Sumac, Mongo Santamar�a, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Rub�n Blades, Bob Marley, David Byrne, Salif Keita, Sade, Cesaria Evora... | ||
Moe (moe) 4-Laureate Username: moe Post Number: 144 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.219.162.219 |
Dyva, Ditto for me, too | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 518 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.212.74.216 |
Moe: Thanks, but check this one out - TOM JONES - (here's my interpretation of his influential style) 'If there is gonna be a 'white boy to get this soul singing down, it's gonna be me, blimy!' He was quoted as sayinghe wanted to be Wilson Pickett in an interview once, but I dug him for who he was, a goo dlooking Welsh man thatcould wear tight leather suits and make it look good. LOL. I wish they would release his shows on DVD... | ||
Moe (moe) 4-Laureate Username: moe Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.140.8.177 |
Dyva, Did you ever see a movie called "The Collectors?" | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 523 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.212.74.216 |
No I havent. Was Tom in it? What year is it? | ||
Moe (moe) 4-Laureate Username: moe Post Number: 148 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.140.8.177 |
No, he wasn't in it. But, it's a movie, I believe from the 80's. It's about this white (I believe either British or Irish) band who wants to be a "soul" band & Wilson Pickett has something to do in the movie (no not the real one). But, if you like very dry humor, this is the movie for you. You just have to experience this band's views on soul!! | ||
DyvaNaye (westside314) 6-Zenith Username: westside314 Post Number: 524 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.212.74.216 |
I love dry humor,a nd epecially British humor...I will check it out... | ||
Moe (moe) 4-Laureate Username: moe Post Number: 149 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.140.8.177 |
Dyva, I'm sorry, I got myself confused, too. The movie is called "The Committments". I always confuse that title with that of the band I gew up with in Pittsburgh, so forgive me, I had a middle aged moment | ||
Bong-Man (bongman) 1-Arriviste Username: bongman Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.148.123.128 |
Sammy Davis Jr. & Hank Aaron, who weren't mentioned. | ||
paulie3$hoes (paulie3hoes) 3-Pundit Username: paulie3hoes Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.25.173 |
eh its ol paulie(over here) da most in..influ....geez i kant say dat woid but youse now whut i mean, capice??$%^ is ol' blu eyez , catch my drift man dat kat cud swing and he wuz konnekted wit da mob jus like ol paulie(over here), capice #$%^* CAPICE?$ | ||
Sudi Kamau (sudi_kamau) 4-Laureate Username: sudi_kamau Post Number: 93 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.117.198.35 |
Louis Armstrong Louis Jordan James Brown |
