History of African American Music Essay

The history of African American music has been characterized by a combineture among various forms of music. Country blues, urban blues, young Orleans Jazz, Bebop, spoiled-band jazz, and rhythm and blues, have each influenced each other profoundly. These influences flowed jeopardize and forth among the various forms. But, black gospel music had only a very limited effect on customary styles, until a some church-trained artists, such as Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, began to incorporate gospel styling into their popular work.The result is unremarkably described as thought music, a mix of blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel voices. But, if Ray Charles was wiz of the originators of soul music, Aretha Franklin reshaped it, by bringing even more of her gospel background to bear on blue hump songs (Wade and Picardie 27). By combining popular elements with her stunning voice, her great musicianship, and the relish for a song that she learned in church, Aretha became one of the gr eatest soul singers to ever live. Aretha Franklin is a well-know pop, R&B, and gospel singer.She has been nicknamed The Queen of consciousness and is an internation anyy known artist and a symbol of p chide in the African American community. Her popularity soared in 1967 when she released an phonograph album containing songs I Never love a Man, Respect, and Baby I Love You. passim her career she has achieved fifteen Grammy Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, National Academy of arrangement Arts and Sciences Legend Awards, and some(prenominal) Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. In 1987 she became the kickoff fair sex inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Time magazine chose her as one of the most influential artists and entertainers of the 20th century. She sang at Dr. Martin Luther Kings funeral and at former President Bill Clintons inaugural party. Although she has all these accomplishments and awards there are other reasons that have driven Franklin to fame and landed her on the front cover of Time magazine on June 28, 1968. The reasons I recollect allowed Aretha Franklin to become so booming are the following Her familys pastime with religion, the inspiring people that surrounded her, and the pain she suffered.It is clear that because her familys pursuit with religion would be one reason why Aretha Franklin became as far-famed as a Gospel singer. Some people would say that her love for religion is unbelievable, precisely after re searching her childhood it is very believable. Her father, Reverend Clarence LaVaugh Franklin lived in Shelby Mississippi and preached while living the life of a sharecropper. As short as he had enough money, he would move to Memphis, Tennessee to become a pastor of two churches. After a couple of long time he attended LeMoyne College, and he studied Education and English Literature.With his education he was able to bring a more liberal view to his talks. Then he go the family to Buffalo, New York. When he had the re sources, he moved the family again to Detroit, Michigan were he settled and became a pastor of a churched called New Bethel Baptist Church. He quickly became one of the most famous pastors in the metropolis of Detroit. Aretha was two years old when they do their final move, she would aim up here and grab the emotion of Church and incorporate it into her music. Aretha Franklins mom, Barbara V. Skaggers, served as choir director and pianist.Aretha describes her mom as a glorious singer, her voice was clear and distinctive. (Franklin and Ritz, 6) Her parents taught her how to sing with great pride. This was a big issue because the late 50s, early 60s was a time of turmoil for African Americans. Her father especially tried to in shut away pride into her. He was a Civil effectives activist and he was a close colleague with Dr. Martin Luther King. With her parents memory her involved in Church she was bound to become one of the initiations greatest singers. At close to age 12, the father acknowledge Arethas talent as a singer.So he took her on the road with his traveling gospel show. This was important because it shows the kind of support Aretha authorized from her family. It was said, She was a spellbinding performer at the age of fourteen. (Franklin, 3) So her family authentically supported and inspired her to become a gospel singer. What also made her a great artist was that she had inspiring people all around her. Aretha grew up in Detroit which at the time was a rousing city or a city of hope for the African Americans running apart from the brutality of the South.Though Detroit mollify had its problems such as race riots, many famous musicians grew up there. Also since New Bethel Baptist Church was so prominent, many musicians and governmental leaders used Reverend Franklins pulpit as a platform to sing or speak to the Blacks of Detroit. Aretha was introduced to classical music by Smokey Robinsons sister Sylvia Burston. She listened to well known local DJs like Ruth Brown and Senator Brystal Brown. When Aretha was younger, she would ride her bike to the local park, and on her way home she would stop by a night club where you could here B.B. King perform. She says, You could hear the spongelike sound of his guitar all the way to the sidewalk (Franklin and Ritz, 22). National and local political leaders would give there speeches. Speakers such as Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, senior , Dr. Martin Luther King, and Reverend Jesse Jackson would speak powerfully to the church. Aretha was directly influenced by Miriam Anderson, Sammy Davis, and Roy Wilkins. Detroit was abundant with talent and speakers which I believe also contributed to Arethas success.Pain was believably what really drove Aretha Franklins success. As stated before, Franklins family was passing religious and was continually involved in the Church. But that doesnt misbegot that she hadnt been through a tremendous amount of pain. Early in life her mother and father got a divorce. The father was better satisfactory to raise Aretha and her four Siblings. The mother moved to Buffalo, New York and tried to shoot regular visits to see her children. She was supported her children in the best way she could, but when Aretha involve her, she still was not reachable.Matters became worst a few years later when Arethas mom dies of a stroke. Aretha described her mom by saying she was the absolute lady (Smith, 3). At age 15 she had her first child and two years later another would come. But Aretha still wanted to go out and be with friends, so her grandmother usually babysat for her periodically. In a time when Black Activism, Feminism, and Sexual Liberation were high, she needed to provide for herself. So when Aretha was old enough and was ready to start performing, she hire a man named Ted White to be her manager.He later became her husband. In the future she would divorce him for a famous actor which would end in divorce, too. Even though in 1968 to 1969, Franklins career was rising rapidly. She was still described by her Producer Jerry Wexler as a person whose depressions runs deeper than the sea (Ritchie Unterberger, 3). Then one of Franklins highest admirers, gospel giant Mahalia Jackson died. Right after her death a extremely unrestrained gospel album was released my Aretha Amazing Grace This record was considered to be one of the most emotional records of its time.Much of the pain that Aretha suffered was not really publicized, but still it had to be one of the reasons for her to have such a powerful voice. Aretha Franklin was a successful artist and still inspires musicians today. Her voice is still described as incredible. She has all the awards that she needs to show her talent. Works cited Franklin, Aretha, and David Ritz. Aretha From These Roots. New York Villard, 1999. Print. Carroll, Jillian. Aretha Franklin. Chicago Raintree, 2004. Print.