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Slave Songs Were Used During Work Days
During workdays, many slaves would pass their workdays by singing songs to help make the shift go by faster. Many of the styles of these songs can be traced back to Afro-ethnic styles of storytelling, and these songs helped lay the formula for the folk genre that would stem out of regions in the Louisiana bayou. Citation: https://timeline.carnegiehall.org/genres/work-songs-field-street-calls-satirical-protest-songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-zlSq4mWiE -
The Banjo Becomes Popularized
Originating from early Middle Eastern and African instruments where drums would have strings attached to them, the banjo became popular amongst slaves in the mid-seventeenth century, but there have been accounts from Thomas Jefferson that the instrument was influential to slaves as early as 1720, when he wrote in one of his diares: "The instrument proper to them is the banjar, which they brought hither from Africa." Citation: http://bluegrassbanjo.org/banhist.html -
The Concept of the Vaudeville Show Is Created
This type of theatrical show stemmed from minstrelsy. However, what differs vaudeville from minstrelsy was that these shows wouldn't focus on one specific artist, but instead would have a series of artists come on stage in a succession of one another and perform a variety of songs, dances, and circus stunts. Were the precursor to the variety show, and many African American artists got their start from these shows
Citation: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/vaudeville-about-vaudeville/721/ -
Ragtime Emerges
A musical genre that heavily relies on the use of syncopated rhythms that fight against a steady bassline. The syncopated rhythms found throughout the song can be traced back to traditional African music, and featured in instances some traditional African-derived instruments like the banjo. Citation:
Beek, Michael. Classical Music. BBC Music Magazine. "What is Ragtime?" Published August 18, 2021. https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/what-is-ragtime/ -
Robert Cole writes 'A Trip to Coontown'
This musical- while almost taking a satirical approach to the stereotypes of African Americans that were portrayed in Minstrel shows of the time- marks the first time that a musical was both written, recorded, and performed by an African American.
Citation:
Link Text
Library of Congress. "Biographies: Bob Cole. 1868-1911". https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200038836/ -
Louis Armstrong is Born
Louis Armstrong grew up to be a prominent figure in influencing the genre of jazz, becoming best known for his trumpet playing abilities and making musical collabs with artists such as Bessie Smith and Benny Goodman. He is amongst some of the first African Americans to cross the racial barrier that was set in place in popular muisc. Citaiton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhVdLd43bDI -
Bessie Smith releases her cover of St. Louis Blues that features Louis Armstrong
Bessie Smith, an African American Vaudeville performer who started reaching nationwide success with her powerful vocal range, released a cover of W.C Handy's song St. Louis Blues. The release of this song marked one of the first instances in American popular music where an African American artist had a best-selling signal on the Billboard charts. Is significant helping develop the sound of rhythym & blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bo3f_9hLkQ -
Otis Blackwell is Born
Born in the early thirties, Otis Blackwell's greatest contribution to the development of rock n roll is not for being a performer, but a composer and songwriter. Blackwell wrote rock songs that would be covered by Elvis Presley and become some of his greatest known singles, such as All Shook Up, Don't Be Cruel, & Return to Sender. Citation: https://www.songhall.org/profile/Otis_Blackwell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKzurxTnW1o -
The Apollo Theatre Opens in Harlem
Opening during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, The Apollo Theater became a hub for African American musicians of the time to play, with musicians such as Benny Carter and his Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald. Citation: https://www.apollotheater.org/about/history/#:~:text=Ella%20Fitzgerald%2C%20Sarah%20Vaughan%2C%20Billie,stardom%20on%20the%20Apollo%20stage. -
Teddy Wilson Joins Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
Throughout popular music up to this point, most musical groups were distinguished by race, meaning the groups either consisted of all white or all black musicians. Benny Goodman is the first person who recruited for a black musician to be in his band, pianist Teddy Wilson, which marks the creation of the first biracial music group in American history. Citation: https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/teddy-wilson -
Robert Johnson releases Crossroad Blues
Often considered to be the greatest guitarist of his time period, and even by some to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Robert Johnson in his short career sent shockwaves in the American music world due to his diverse guitar strumming patterns and rhythmic tapping patterns. Johnson is significant as he came to inspire influential musicians in the classic rock genre like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Citation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd60nI4sa9A -
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Releases "That's All"
Often considered the 'grandmother of rock n roll', Sister Rosetta Tharpe gains this title for being the first musician to use the electric guitar in a recorded song, that song being 'That's All'. Her guitar style and implementation of the electric guitar set a precedent in forming the rock n roll genre and helped developed techniques that future musicians like Chuck Berry would further develop. Citation: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/210105/Tharpe_Sister_Rosetta -
First TV Broadcasting of the Nat King Cole Show is Aired
Nat King Cole was an African American jazz musician who was known for his songs L-O-V-E and Unforgettable. Due to his mass appeal to both black and white audiences, he was given his own time slot on NBC to host a variety show that is similar to the vaudeville show format of the early 1900s. He was the first African American who was given the opportunity to host his own show, but unfortunately it got cancelled due to him being unable to find a sponsor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VAFgcMKy7k -
Chuck Berry Releases His First Single 'Maybellene'
Chuck Berry's first single immediately reached number one on the billboard hot 100 upon its release. This is the song that shot Chuck Berry to stardom, and is considered to be a pioneering song in the rock n' roll genre with its articulate guitar solos and keyboard that pays homage to the ragtime and blues genre of past African American musicians. Citation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75RiHJGfyUE -
Little Richard Releases Long Tall Sally
Through his incorporation of ragtime piano rhythms and gospel singing, Little Richard was able to help redefine the budding rock n' roll genre. This single, Long Tall Sally, was the song which made Little Richard cross the racial lines in terms of popular music and made his music heard and appreciated by both white and black audiences. Citation: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/little-richard-dead-48505/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFFgbc5Vcbw -
Motown Is Established
Berry Gordy Jr. found the record company label Motown in Detroit. Nicknamed 'Hitsville USA", Motown came to be a record company of prominence for African Americans throughout the sixties and seventies, signing artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Foundations, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5. Citaiton: https://www.motownrecords.com -
The Ronettes Release 'Be My Baby'
Released by one of the first female girl bands apart of Motown, The Ronette's 'Be My Baby' consisted of elements of Motown pop, but also included rock elements which could be seen with the drumming work in the introduction done by Hal Blaine. His drumming style would come to be the influence many artists throughout the sixties and seventies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrVbawRPO7I
Citation: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200811-why-be-my-baby-is-the-perfect-pop-song -
The Jackson 5 Get Signed to Steeltown Records
The Jackson 5 made their first break when Gordon Keith signed the sibling band Jackson 5 to his record company. The Jackson 5 consisted of Randy, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon, and Michael Jackson, and included elements of Motown pop, 40s jazz, and rock elements into their songs as well. This genre-mixing would help bring the band to stardom and set up a future career for the youngest member, Michael. Citation: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jackson-5-mn0000083013/biography -
Jimi Hendrix Plays The Star Spangled Banner At Woodstock
On the final day of Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix was the final act of the festival, signing a contract that he would perform if he was the last musician to play. He started off his set by playing the national anthem, this four-minute interpretation of it becoming what many musicologists consider to be one of the most important and greatest guitar solos ever recorded. Citation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjzZh6-h9fM -
Marvin Gaye Releases the Concept Album 'What's Going On?'
Considered number one on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Marvin Gaye's concept album was released during the midst of the Vietnam war, but still is relevant to some of the problems that are ongoing in our world today. Through a combination of rock, jazz, and blues, Gaye touches on themes of police brutality, environmental conflicts, and war. Citation: https://www.rs500albums.com/50-1/1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M -
The Thriller Music Video Starts Being Shown In Theaters
One of the first music videos to have a set story, John Landi's directed short film set to Michael Jackson's Thriller came to be influential in changing how music videos were seen and helped establish pop culture dominance with MTV. The Library of Congress also selected this music video to be shown in their archives National Film Registry. Citation: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/michael-jackson-thriller-changed-music-videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M -
Prince Releases The Album and Movie Purple Rain
Released along with the movie of the same name, Prince's Purple Rain album helped culturally define pop culture in America during the eighties and launched Prince into the mainstream. With his funk pop-style music and his feminine outfits, Prince became a role model for LGBT youth in the eighties and became a fashion inspiration for many. Citation: https://albumism.com/features/prince-and-the-revolution-purple-rain-turns-35-anniversary-retrospective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJhDltzYVQ