Some of America's greatest artist are black. The list is long and the number of obscure upon artist is thousands of times more. Growing up with racial hatred all around them both men showed that anyone can overcome the life they are born in and not be consumed by the victimization they grew up with and experienced through out their lives.
Louis Armstrong the legendary New Orleans trumpet player that made black jazz acceptable to a white audience by his infectious loving personality. His track What A Wonderful World is beloved by many.
Ray Charles blind as child and all though life but his mother knew not to make him a victim and became one of the great rhythm and blues and pop artist with his great writing and arranging. His classic America the Beautiful is beloved by many.
Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Frankin are the women who I would rate up there as American Music Icons.
Both men were true AMERICAN PATRIOTS: Of course their were many other great black artist who contributed to the music but few are as loved as these two men.
Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Frankin are the women who I would rate up there as American Music Icons.
Chuck Berry the great American songwriter, singer, who wrote many classic R&R hits.
Count Basie with is big band sound.
Blues singer Bessie Smith the first artist to have a million selling record in America.
and the list is endless, Professor Longhair, Little Milton, Alberta Hunter, BB King, Lightin' Hopkins, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Miracles with Smokey Robinson, Taj Mahal, Ann Sexton, Big Maybelle, on and on and on.
Yet Louis and Ray are American Icons for generations, songs put in movie soundtracks have placed the music into many ears that would never know anything about the artist unless those songs had be used.
These artist are enjoyed by black or white or brown or yellow as music transcends all colors.
I remember doing a dj job for a friends sisters birthday and someone asked me to play bobby darin Mack the Knife and told them I would not because I did not have that version but did have the real version by Louis Armstrong. He was annoyed but the song went over great.
