WHATS GOING ON? The 1960s Through the Lens of Black Music Mr.
Hayward US History 9
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STARTER: 3 MINUTES What is your favorite song? Why is it your
favorite? What feelings does it evoke for you? Who is its intended
audience? Is there something about the song that makes it a
reflection of its time in history?
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BEFORE WE BEGIN We need to remember a couple of terms we
learned in English class: 1. Metaphor 2. Allusion 3. Allegory
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AND A couple of skills from History class: 1. Historic context
2. Through their eyes (from TLaH) In this case, Soul Music is the
popular black music during and after the civil rights movement. It
gives us a big picture view of the changing emotional trends of the
movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
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WHAT I WANT YOU TO LISTEN FOR Mood/ Feelings Images and Themes
Sense of historical context
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SOUL MUSIC Comes out of the musical tradition of the church
(Gospel) Early stars had careers in the Gospel charts and in the
popular charts- Soul Music. Fusion of Rhythm & Blues, Gospel
and Blues styles. Often used the style of Call and Response, which
was a prominent characteristic of sermons and sacred music in black
churches.
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RAY CHARLES Born Sept. 23 1930 (Albany, GA) Pioneer of Soul
Music Took themes from Gospel hits and added secular lyrics and
jazz styling to create soul songs E.g. Ive Got a Woman (1954),
which is a reworking of The Southern Tones, It Must be Jesus.
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THE SOUTHERN TONES AND RAY CHARLES It Must be Jesus I Got a
Woman
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NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN SOUL Soul music from the 1950s and 60s
was generally divided between Detroit and Memphis Soul, with
Chicago and Philadelphia coming into prominence in the mid 60s and
early 70s respectively Detroit soul was dominated by Motown Records
while Memphis soul was Stax Records.
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MOTOWN Detroit (Motor+Town= Motown) Founded in 1959 by Berry
Gordie Jr. Known for act like The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Stevie
Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and more.
Factory-like production of songs. The Motown Sound- Call &
Response, simple melody lines, orchestral background. House bandThe
Funk Brothers
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MARVIN GAYE AND TAMMI TERRELL
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STAX Memphis Founded 1957 by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (St
+ Ax= Stax) Ethnically integrated group of writers and musicians
Famous acts include Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, Wilson
Pickett. House band- Booker T & the MGs (later aka The Blues
Brothers Band)
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OTIS REDDING
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CURTIS MAYFIELD Born June 3, 1942 (Chicago, IL) Dropped out of
high school to become the lead singer of The Impressions followed
by a lengthy solo career. One of the main figures of Chicago Soul.
Produced and released albums by himself and the Staple Singers
among many others.
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THE IMPRESSIONS
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SAM COOKE Born Jan. 22, 1931. Son of a Baptist Minister (Rev.
Charles Cook) Join Gospel group, The Soul Stirrers in 1950. Group
was extremely popular in the Gospel world Crossed over in 1956,
first hit You Send Me (1957) Shot and killed in Los Angeles 1964
Final recording released posthumously, A Change Gonna Come
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SAM COOKE
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AFTER 1968
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CURTIS MAYFIELD IN 1970 This song uses some derogatory words.
Curtis uses these words to create a sense of unease. If this will
bothers you, please feel free to cover your ears or leave the
room.
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MARVIN GAYE IN 1971
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STEVIE WONDER IN 1974
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SO WHAT DO YOU HEAR? How has the tone changed? Do you hear any
similar imagery? How is it different?
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MOVING FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT TO THE LATE 60S AND EARLY 70S
The Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964, The Voting Act in 1965.
Neither had provisions for improving the quality of life for
African-Americans. White flight leads to decreased investment in
inner cities thus urban decay. The Vietnam War is being fought by
people too poor to avoid the draft. African-Americans made up about
9% of the US population but as much as 15% of US troops in Vietnam.
MLK breaks with LBJ in 1965 to speak out against the war
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IN CONCLUSION Soul music came out of the traditions of Gospel
music and incorporated similar symbols and the Call & Response
style. Dominated by Motown Records (Northern Soul) and Stax Records
(Southern Soul) during the 1960s. Began to reflect the
disillusionment and anger of the black community at the end of the
1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. We will explore those years
in greater depth tomorrow when we look at the Race Riots of the
late 1960s and the rise of the idea of Black Power.
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HOMEWORK Write lyrics for a song that reflects a time period.
It can be a time period we have learned about or current day. Your
choice. It must have at least 2 verses and one chorus. Your lyrics
can be blatant or subtle but use symbols or people that are
understood by your audience.
