history
Iconic moments in music history.
Jimi Hendrix & a New National Anthem. Second Place in 2020 Anthem Challenge.
I write this article the day before my country's birthday. With everything happening within our fifty states, I find it difficult to plan for tomorrow. Thinking about sparklers, frankfurters, fireworks and cheer makes me feel like I'm ignoring many elephants in the room. The 4th is the best holiday to celebrate outside, yet this year we need to stay home. Additionally, anti-racist protests demonstrate that while the Declaration calls for "certain unalienable rights," not everyone in this country enjoys those rights equally. How can we celebrate freedom in America when not everyone is truly free? I don't know about you, but it feels hypocritical to me.
By Kathryn Milewski5 years ago in Beat
A Tragical History Tour
Frank Zappa’s stuff is not everybody’s cup of tea. The same can be said of John Lennon’s stuff in the 70’s. Yoko Ono’s stuff is no one’s cup of tea, ever. So, sit back with a cup of tea and wonder at the three of them jamming together at the Filmore East Some Time In New York City…
By Lance Norris5 years ago in Beat
Amazing Grace: the history behind the popular song
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Country singer Garth Brooks sang Amazing Grace during the Inauguration of Joe Biden. For many, this was not unexpected for the 46th President of the United States. Amazing Grace is a popular song that is heard often at funerals, in real-time as well as reel-time. It seems to be the song of choice in times of crisis such as in the aftermath of the terrorist attack during 911. There is also a rich history behind the origin of this hymn/folk song. The words to "Amazing Grace" were penned in 1772 by English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton and was officially published in 1779. Newton wrote Amazing Grace from his own personal experience.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in Beat
Liberace, Hugh Borde and the steel drum
The steel drum, also simply called "Pan," was developed in the Caribbean island country of Trinidad & Tobago, during World War II. The instrument is fashioned by hand from various forms of sheet metal, with the best having been the empty oil drums that littered the country just after the war.
By Jonathan Warren5 years ago in Beat
Afro-American music in modern culture?
In this article I will be discussing what we consider as Afro-American music and why it is such a moving power in the music industry and outside it and how it has affected the popular music scene and perception of the performance (Newman, 1985). Afro-American music is an umbrella term, which covers diverse genres of music, such as Gospel, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Hip-Hop, which will be discussed in this essay.
By Gabriele Liutke5 years ago in Beat
AC/DC’s “Back In Black”: For Bon Scott, or by Bon Scott?
The collaboration between Bon Scott and AC/DC on their epic album, “Back In Black”, remains an intriguing riddle. Still unclear and unsolved to this day. How much did Bon Scott inspire this iconic, heavy metal monster? Not from the grave, but before it — as a rock and roll songwriter.
By Phil Rossi5 years ago in Beat
Top 10 Verzuz Battles That Will Never Happen. Top Story - January 2021.
One of the greatest things to come out of 2020 was Verzuz TV. This webcast series was created by producers Timbaland and Swizz Beats to highlight and celebrate Black music. Since March of last year, the world has gotten to see artists like BabyFace and Teddy Riley, Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle, and Brandy and Monica go head to head via Instagram Live and/or Apple TV. And while there are many great Verzuz battles that the world has been anticipating, some of the greatest battles are the ones we will never get to see because one or more of the parties involved are no longer living. But thanks to technology, we can guess what these battles would have been like. Here are the top 10 Verzuz battles that we will never get to see and some of the songs that undoubtedly would have made an appearance in them.
By C.R. Hughes5 years ago in Beat
Singing for your supper has roots in Christmas
There are traditions associated with the holiday season that have been carried out for years. Many times the origins of these yearly rituals are not thought about or perhaps not even understood. There are phrases in Mother Goose tales and children's poetry may not mean much today but had great significance during the time in which they first came to light. This is the case with a children’s nursery rhyme from the 18th century called Little Tommy Tucker which is as follows:
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in Beat
Eddie Kendrinks and Mevin Franklin: The iconic voices behind Silent Night by “ The Temptations”
A beloved rendition of Silent Night Over the years, I’ve heard many people, (myself included) who say "Christmas just ain’t Christmas until you hear The Temptations sing their rendition of Silent Night. I recall one holiday season when for whatever reason I did not hear this popular Christmas tune on the radio. Although I can listen anytime I desire at home, even during the summer, I always enjoy randomly hearing the Temptations singing Silent Night when I’m in the car so I can sing along.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in Beat
John Lennon Vs. Paul McCartney - The Great Lyrical Feud of 1971
In Cold Blood December 8th will mark the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's tragic death. On that day in 1980, Mark David Chapman approached the superstar outside his Manhattan apartment before shooting him 4 times and destroying nearly every major artery surrounding his heart.
By Sabrina Johnson5 years ago in Beat
Popular Christmas Carols
In 1719 most of the songs sung in European church services were the Psalms from the Old Testament. Isaac Watts enjoyed Bible readings but felt that these songs did not translate well into modern-day English. Watts was 15 years old, and after one Sunday service, he expressed his thoughts. One of the deacons who heard his complaints about the songs that the congregation sang told him to go home and write something better. So Watts went home and wrote his first hymn, and this began his love of writing hymns, with "Joy to the World" being his first one. This hymn is the "imitation" of the last half of Psalm 98. Today it is a popular song sung at Christmas.
By Rasma Raisters5 years ago in Beat
