Soul and Motown

The 1960’sTime of change –

“The 1960’s reflected more intense change in the United States than any other time since the Revolutionary War.” Charles T. Brown,

The Art of Rock and Roll

60’s cont.1950’s were conservative

(Republican)

1960’s were liberal (Democratic)

Politics based on philosophical values

Much tumult and confusion

Important 60’s personsJohn F. Kennedy

Elected President in 1960 Young, handsome family man Great speaker, held crowds captive Proposed a “New Frontier”

Spread wealth to all America Help in other parts of the world

Administration compared to “Camelot”

Symbol of hope for the young and oppressed minorities

Was not a W.A.S.P. (White Anglo Saxon Protestant)

Assassinated in 1963

Important 60’s personsMartin Luther King, Jr.

Civil rights leader, minister Advocated non-violent change Declared “I have a dream” – famous

speech given in Washington D.C.

Presented optimistic view of social change

View changed with the Watts (part of Los Angeles) riots of 1967

Assassinated in 1968 Changed the face of civil rights movement

Important 60’s personsLyndon B. Johnson

Kennedy’s Vice-President Responsible for legislating most of

Kennedy’s dreams Peace Corps Civil Rights Act of 1964 Nuclear arms limitations

Johnson cont.Viet Nam War escalations caused

him to lose credibilityDid not seek a second term

Also remember – Robert F. Kennedy, Malcolm X (assassinated)

1960’s trends and thingsHippies / flower power / “goin’ to San

Francisco” Haight-Ashbury district

Drugs / counter-culture / “purple haze” LSD new drug

Black Panthers / violent black powerSDS, Weathermen/ violent white groupsSexual revolution / “if you can’t be with

the one you love, love the one you’re with”

Student protests / “four dead in Ohio”Focused on moral, philosophical issues

Draft Viet Nam War Civil rights

Many student protests on college campuses

Some protests became violentKent State University in Ohio

4 students killed by National Guard

Soul Music1964 – Billboard replaced “R&B” with

“Soul” New description for black music Included gospel and blues Early development centered in Memphis

Southern influences

Muscle Shoals Southern recording center Often recorded here for a more “hometown

type of production” Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section

Served as backup band for a variety of performers and styles

Soul style description Blues / shouting / gospel style From Afro-American blues style Call-and-response Emotional and physical (preaching) Harder edge than Motown

Soul PerformersAretha Franklin – “1st Lady of Soul”

Born in 1942 – Memphis Father was a reverend in Detroit Began as a gospel singer 1st solo @ church age 12

Followed career path of Sam Cooke - close friend

Large gospel influencesVery polished sound

Could have been Motown?Big hits

“Respect” – #1 1967 voice for Black Power “Think”

“Natural Woman” “Chain of Fools” many others

Soul performers cont.James Brown – “Godfather of Soul”

Born in Georgia in 1933 Began in gospel choirs Harsh guttural screaming Very physical performer

Gyrating, splits, sweat

Sounds of early funk Choked guitar Staccato bass Full horn section

“The hardest working man in show business”

James Brown Radio1965 bought 1st radio station

WJBE in Knoxville, Tenn.Soul, gospel, jazz formatTraining ground

Advertising, programming, managementTalk shows / editorials

Kids stay in school Parental support

Otis Redding Born in Georgia in 1941 Father was a part time preacher – Otis

sang regularly in church choirs Inspired by Little Richard, James Brown,

Lena Horne Began as a Little Richard impersonator

Appeared at Monterey Pop Festival in 1967; introduced to white audiences

“I Can’t Turn You Loose” “Respect” (Aretha Franklin biggie)

“Dock of the Bay” Last album released Considered the

“Dictionary of Soul”

Established summer camp for underprivileged children

Died in a plane crash 1967 “Dock of the Bay” reached #1 on the pop

charts 3 months later

Other soul biggiesSam and Dave – from Georgia

“Soul Man”Percy Sledge – from Alabama

“When a Man Loves a Woman”Wilson Pickett – Alabama

“In the Midnight Hour”

Soul would continue “. . . there is no question that the

soul/blues/shouting/gospel tradition continued in the funk, rap and fusion music of the 1970’s and the 1980’s” Charles T. Brown

The Art of Rock and Roll

MotownShort for Motor Town (Detroit)

- 535 singles in 1960’s - 357 made charts

- 67% success rate (10% normal)

Doo Wop roots Background vocal groups of 50’s Non-sense words often sung

Motown cont.Berry Gordy, Jr.

Founded and created Motown Born 1929 in Detroit Had vision to create new black music Understood what would sell Maniacal drive to succeed

Opened Motown records in 1960- other black labels folded

- “where it was happening in black music”

Trained his performers in showmanship, musicianship, etiquette, speech, behavior – succeed in white world

Motown styleNot hard edge of soulSmooth and light textureEasily understandable lyricsFew blues tunes used

Chord progressions based on white forms

(style con’t.)Technically precise music

Gordie influence Only the best were released Car radio speaker used to sound test

the song Where most music was heard If it sounded good here, it was ready

Holland-Dozier-Holland“one of the greatest songwriting teams of all time.” Rolling Stone

28 Top 20 hits in a three year span Wrote for many Motown groups (others)

“Heat Wave” “How Sweet It Is to be Loved by You” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” Many, many others

Motown PerformersSupremes (Diana Ross)

Biggest success of Motown 10 #1 hits from 1964 to 1970

“Where Did Our Love Go” “Love Child”

Marvin Gaye Signed with Motown in 1961 as drummer –

singer in 1962 Early hits

“How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” “Can I Get a Witness” more

Style changed in 1971 Gained autonomy over his music

Left Motown in 1982 Began writing his own songs “What’s Goin’ On”

Biggest selling album 1st concept album Dealt with racism, war, ecology, etc.

“What’s Goin’ On” “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)” “Inner City Blues”

Personal problems in later life – drugs, alcohol, marital

Died April 1, 1984 Shot by father during violent argument Father later acquitted (self defense)

Stevie Wonder Started as Little Stevie Wonder Began as Ray Charles impersonator Very popular teen star

(the Rolling Stones were his opening act in 1964 – movie cameos)

“Finger Tips (Part 2)” – 1st hit “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”

1971 - Gained autonomy over his music 1st Motown artist to do this

“He broke out of the Motown mold to compose and produce a new kind of black music” Rolling Stone

Played most instruments on his recordings

“Superstition” – 1st #1 hit “Livin’ for the City” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” “Sir Duke”

Other Motown Biggies

The Temptations-”My Girl”, “Get Ready”

Smokey Robinson, Jackson 5, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, etc.

Soul and Motown “Immortals”James Brown #7Aretha Franklin #9Stevie Wonder #15Marvin Gaye #18Otis Redding #21Smokey Robinson #32Michael Jackson #35