Posts
Gen X and Gen Y switch on their iPods and listen to their latest downloads. In the baby boomer period, transistor radios were the ‘iPods’ when almost everyone predictably listened to The Beatles and The Motown Sound. The music and entertainment landscape of the yesteryears are not only about these two singing sensations, as the boomer music industry culminated in the rise of Elvis Presley when ‘Rock and Roll’ was the beat boomers listened to.
It was in 1956 when Presley began to gather the attention of Americans, particularly teenagers. Presley never failed in attracting a crowd that would usually end up in a state of frenzy. When the icon moved into the top charts, over and over again, other performers saw him as an unmatched rival and many of them faded out of the spotlight. His performance often resulted in riots. For instance, it took one hundred National Guardsmen to prevent crowd trouble during his two concerts in 1956.
The cultural impact of Elvis Presley was not only limited to the teenagers of the boomer period. Many American adults regarded Presley as the “first rock symbol of teenage rebellion” and heavily criticized the icon, particularly in mainstream media. The New York Daily News, for instance, asserted that Presley made popular music reach “its lowest depths in the ‘grunt and groin antics’” that he uses. Even the Jesuits condemned Presley in the weekly magazine, America.
Equally popular to Presley in the entertainment world was Frank Sinatra but like many others, Sinatra did not have a positive review of Presley’s music when he said: “His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.”
Beyond show business, the FBI files revealed that they had the impression of Presley as a “definite danger to the security of the United States.” Psychologists joined in the debate over Presley’s music and antics and pressed on the possibility of having young Americans “aroused to sexual indulgence and perversion by certain types of motions and hysteria—the type that was exhibited at the Presley show.” Amid all the disconcerting accusations, Presley contested that there is nothing vulgar or immoral in the way he performs on stage.
Despite all of the allegations especially on a supposed racist remark that Presley made, the rock symbol continued to dominate America’s music industry throughout the late 1950s. The boomers of today may have listened to the new generation of performers but they cannot stop carrying the past that was Presley. Many of them still play Presley in the present times.
Have a personal Elvis memory? Continue your trip down memory lane at boomeryearbook.com
www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
History of Rock Keeps Rolling On
Ever since Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry began crooning tunes with a different sound, the history of rock music has been marching forward. Different than anything that had come before it, rock mixed racy lyrics with loud, but soulful music to create something so distinct it earned its own moniker.
As the history of this musical form continues to be written, remember the basic genre is classified by the use of the guitar. Whether it's hard rock, country rock, classic rock, punk rock or beyond, rock and roll involves guitars and lots of them. Acoustic or electric doesn't necessarily matter, but a lead role in the music does (with a few exceptions).
Rock and roll history is often said to have gotten its first page in the 1950s when "Rocket 88" was released. Little Richard, Elvis, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry all wrote their own pages during this decade. With songs such as "Rock Around The Clock," "Love Me Tender," "School Day" and more hitting the charts, the road was paved for such artists as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to make their debuts on the scene.
The dancing rock of the 50s gave way to the more "radical" rock of the '60s. Here a generation of youth found their voice in war protest songs and peace rally music. Elvis remained a mainstay during this decade, but other big names also made the scene. The likes of Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa and The Monkees were popular during the '60s. The Beatles revolutionized rock music when they made their American invasion in 1964.
The 1970s saw a continuation of the themes of the '60s with the addition of disco and other influences. Van Halen became a big name during this decade and legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all met their ends during the 1970s. Greats from the '50s and '60s continued to rock during this decade as well.
The 1980s are perhaps best known for their heavy metal hair bands. Contrary to popular belief, this music was and remains more than just "noise." Many musicians of this era were classically trained and know their stuff. Big moments during this decade include the death of John Lennon, the end of the band Wings, the creation of "We Are The World," and Michael Jackson's massive hit record "Thriller." The more soulful sounds of Billy Joel were also a mainstay during this decade. Bands such as Journey, Def Leppard and the Scorpions made it big during this era in rock.
The 1990s saw the creation of boy bands and some serious recognition for rockers when the Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland. Musicians to hit the charts with a bang during this decade included Madonna, Kurt Cobain, Boyz II Men, Alanis Morissette and more. Heavy metal continued, but other sounds made their ways onto the airwaves as well.
With hard rock, classic, punk, pop and more still major players in the music scene, this genre is showing no signs of going away. It's plain to see rock and roll "will never die."
About the Author:
Ben Franklin
http://www.rockmusicwire.com
As the history of this musical form continues to be written, remember the basic genre is classified by the use of the guitar. Whether it's hard rock, country rock, classic rock, punk rock or beyond, rock and roll involves guitars and lots of them. Acoustic or electric doesn't necessarily matter, but a lead role in the music does (with a few exceptions).
Rock and roll history is often said to have gotten its first page in the 1950s when "Rocket 88" was released. Little Richard, Elvis, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry all wrote their own pages during this decade. With songs such as "Rock Around The Clock," "Love Me Tender," "School Day" and more hitting the charts, the road was paved for such artists as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to make their debuts on the scene.
The dancing rock of the 50s gave way to the more "radical" rock of the '60s. Here a generation of youth found their voice in war protest songs and peace rally music. Elvis remained a mainstay during this decade, but other big names also made the scene. The likes of Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa and The Monkees were popular during the '60s. The Beatles revolutionized rock music when they made their American invasion in 1964.
The 1970s saw a continuation of the themes of the '60s with the addition of disco and other influences. Van Halen became a big name during this decade and legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all met their ends during the 1970s. Greats from the '50s and '60s continued to rock during this decade as well.
The 1980s are perhaps best known for their heavy metal hair bands. Contrary to popular belief, this music was and remains more than just "noise." Many musicians of this era were classically trained and know their stuff. Big moments during this decade include the death of John Lennon, the end of the band Wings, the creation of "We Are The World," and Michael Jackson's massive hit record "Thriller." The more soulful sounds of Billy Joel were also a mainstay during this decade. Bands such as Journey, Def Leppard and the Scorpions made it big during this era in rock.
The 1990s saw the creation of boy bands and some serious recognition for rockers when the Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland. Musicians to hit the charts with a bang during this decade included Madonna, Kurt Cobain, Boyz II Men, Alanis Morissette and more. Heavy metal continued, but other sounds made their ways onto the airwaves as well.
With hard rock, classic, punk, pop and more still major players in the music scene, this genre is showing no signs of going away. It's plain to see rock and roll "will never die."
About the Author:
Ben Franklin
http://www.rockmusicwire.com
Friday, July 10, 2009
What Is Pop Culture?
Pop culture is, put simply, the events, people, fads, and trends that capture the public imagination. It is also a term used to describe current cultural trends, and cultural trends of the past that have achieved enduring status. Cultural icons can be anything, even cartoon characters, like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and other classic Disney characters. Cultural icons can also be political figures, athletes, celebrities, and people who have somehow achieved notoriety in less conventional ways. Examples would be lottery winners, criminals, inventors, and similar types of people or groups of individuals. Animals can achieve cultural icon status as well, either because of their celebrity status, like Lassie, Benji, or Flipper, or because of their association with a human celebrity, like Paris Hilton's Tinkerbelle or the little dogs that Britney Spears was seen carrying around for a while.
Traditionally, pop culture has held the most appeal for the younger demographic, but has been thoroughly ingrained into society to the point that it is drawing attention from people of all ages. Pop Culture seminars, studies, and academic careers based on the study of pop culture are all commonplace nowadays, particularly since the Internet has evolved into such a ubiquitous source of information. Theories about the impact of this concept range from the belief that it is a substitute for traditional family and religious values to the theory that pop culture is a shared history that links people together. A lot of pop culture history is tied to the popularity of the television, which first made its appearance in the early 1950's.
The term was first used in the 1950's, but did not really gain popularity until much later, when media saturation made it easier for people to spot and follow trends. Websites that chronicle pop culture through the decades also make mention of news events, trends, and celebrity news of the era, and these are the same things that make up pop culture today.
If you think back to a popular fashion trend, a music group, or an event that made news in your lifetime, than you can see just how much of an impact pop culture really has. Whether you agree that it has a deeper social significance or not, it is clear that events, people, and circumstances do serve as a way to connect people. And without pop culture, we wouldn't have the Hula Hoop, Silly Putty, slap bracelets, or any of the other innovations that people take for granted.
About the Author:
Jerry Glynn
Keep up with the latest arts & entertainment news in the pop culture landscape.
http://www.culturecatch.com
Traditionally, pop culture has held the most appeal for the younger demographic, but has been thoroughly ingrained into society to the point that it is drawing attention from people of all ages. Pop Culture seminars, studies, and academic careers based on the study of pop culture are all commonplace nowadays, particularly since the Internet has evolved into such a ubiquitous source of information. Theories about the impact of this concept range from the belief that it is a substitute for traditional family and religious values to the theory that pop culture is a shared history that links people together. A lot of pop culture history is tied to the popularity of the television, which first made its appearance in the early 1950's.
The term was first used in the 1950's, but did not really gain popularity until much later, when media saturation made it easier for people to spot and follow trends. Websites that chronicle pop culture through the decades also make mention of news events, trends, and celebrity news of the era, and these are the same things that make up pop culture today.
If you think back to a popular fashion trend, a music group, or an event that made news in your lifetime, than you can see just how much of an impact pop culture really has. Whether you agree that it has a deeper social significance or not, it is clear that events, people, and circumstances do serve as a way to connect people. And without pop culture, we wouldn't have the Hula Hoop, Silly Putty, slap bracelets, or any of the other innovations that people take for granted.
About the Author:
Jerry Glynn
Keep up with the latest arts & entertainment news in the pop culture landscape.
http://www.culturecatch.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
History of Rock Keeps Rolling On
Ever since Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry began crooning tunes with a different sound, the history of rock music has been marching forward. Different than anything that had come before it, rock mixed racy lyrics with loud, but soulful music to create something so distinct it earned its own moniker.
As the history of this musical form continues to be written, remember the basic genre is classified by the use of the guitar. Whether it's hard rock, country rock, classic rock, punk rock or beyond, rock and roll involves guitars and lots of them. Acoustic or electric doesn't necessarily matter, but a lead role in the music does (with a few exceptions).
Rock and roll history is often said to have gotten its first page in the 1950s when "Rocket 88" was released. Little Richard, Elvis, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry all wrote their own pages during this decade. With songs such as "Rock Around The Clock," "Love Me Tender," "School Day" and more hitting the charts, the road was paved for such artists as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to make their debuts on the scene.
The dancing rock of the 50s gave way to the more "radical" rock of the '60s. Here a generation of youth found their voice in war protest songs and peace rally music. Elvis remained a mainstay during this decade, but other big names also made the scene. The likes of Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa and The Monkees were popular during the '60s. The Beatles revolutionized rock music when they made their American invasion in 1964.
The 1970s saw a continuation of the themes of the '60s with the addition of disco and other influences. Van Halen became a big name during this decade and legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all met their ends during the 1970s. Greats from the '50s and '60s continued to rock during this decade as well.
The 1980s are perhaps best known for their heavy metal hair bands. Contrary to popular belief, this music was and remains more than just "noise." Many musicians of this era were classically trained and know their stuff. Big moments during this decade include the death of John Lennon, the end of the band Wings, the creation of "We Are The World," and Michael Jackson's massive hit record "Thriller." The more soulful sounds of Billy Joel were also a mainstay during this decade. Bands such as Journey, Def Leppard and the Scorpions made it big during this era in rock.
The 1990s saw the creation of boy bands and some serious recognition for rockers when the Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland. Musicians to hit the charts with a bang during this decade included Madonna, Kurt Cobain, Boyz II Men, Alanis Morissette and more. Heavy metal continued, but other sounds made their ways onto the airwaves as well.
With hard rock, classic, punk, pop and more still major players in the music scene, this genre is showing no signs of going away. It's plain to see rock and roll "will never die."
About the Author:
Ben Franklin
http://www.rockmusicwire.com
As the history of this musical form continues to be written, remember the basic genre is classified by the use of the guitar. Whether it's hard rock, country rock, classic rock, punk rock or beyond, rock and roll involves guitars and lots of them. Acoustic or electric doesn't necessarily matter, but a lead role in the music does (with a few exceptions).
Rock and roll history is often said to have gotten its first page in the 1950s when "Rocket 88" was released. Little Richard, Elvis, Ray Charles and Chuck Berry all wrote their own pages during this decade. With songs such as "Rock Around The Clock," "Love Me Tender," "School Day" and more hitting the charts, the road was paved for such artists as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to make their debuts on the scene.
The dancing rock of the 50s gave way to the more "radical" rock of the '60s. Here a generation of youth found their voice in war protest songs and peace rally music. Elvis remained a mainstay during this decade, but other big names also made the scene. The likes of Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa and The Monkees were popular during the '60s. The Beatles revolutionized rock music when they made their American invasion in 1964.
The 1970s saw a continuation of the themes of the '60s with the addition of disco and other influences. Van Halen became a big name during this decade and legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all met their ends during the 1970s. Greats from the '50s and '60s continued to rock during this decade as well.
The 1980s are perhaps best known for their heavy metal hair bands. Contrary to popular belief, this music was and remains more than just "noise." Many musicians of this era were classically trained and know their stuff. Big moments during this decade include the death of John Lennon, the end of the band Wings, the creation of "We Are The World," and Michael Jackson's massive hit record "Thriller." The more soulful sounds of Billy Joel were also a mainstay during this decade. Bands such as Journey, Def Leppard and the Scorpions made it big during this era in rock.
The 1990s saw the creation of boy bands and some serious recognition for rockers when the Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland. Musicians to hit the charts with a bang during this decade included Madonna, Kurt Cobain, Boyz II Men, Alanis Morissette and more. Heavy metal continued, but other sounds made their ways onto the airwaves as well.
With hard rock, classic, punk, pop and more still major players in the music scene, this genre is showing no signs of going away. It's plain to see rock and roll "will never die."
About the Author:
Ben Franklin
http://www.rockmusicwire.com
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Essence of Hip Hop
About a years ago I began work on a presentation to highlight the basic differences between Hip Hop & Rap. Somewhere in the mist of my project, I turned on the TV to find out, Hip Hop had been murdered and Rap declared legally insane. And while George Bush was held responsible for the war in Iraq and a weak economy, everything else wrong with America was being linked to Hip Hop. Drugs, teen pregnancy, violence, the high school drop out rate, the victimization of women (including rape and abuse), the reason racism existed in American, cop killings, pornography, did I leave out global warming. Okay maybe not global warming, but there was a serious witch hunt taking place. Later I saw David Banner and Masta P in front of a committee in Washington, DC defending their music.
It's was all surreal and as I watched America's corporate media do what they do best, sensationalize a story for ratings (prime example, after the Virginia Tech University shooting, one media outlet went so far as to place a picture of 50 Cent next to the shooter's picture, claiming that his music was responsible for influencing the killer to commit the violence).
Oprah's "Town Meeting On Hip Hop", BET's "Hip Hop vs. America", Paula Zahn's "Hip Hop: Art or Poison" allowed out of touch black leaders, right-winged whites, and angry women groups to all scream "Hip Hop"... "Hip Hop negatively influences youth to do this...", "Hip Hop promotes that....”, "Hip Hop is the source of all societies ills". To make matters worse the people on these panels who were invited to speak for hip hop were mostly rappers and members of the rap industry out to preserve their moneymaker. The legitimate members of the hip hop community on these 3 panels could be counted on one hand, Common (Oprah's Town Meeting on Hip Hop), Chuck D & Nelson George (Hip Hop vs. America), and a couple of others. Hip Hop wasn't giving a fair opportunity to articulate to America, that what was actually being pumped out on major radio waves and on the Viacom machine (MTV, BET, and VH1) was not Hip Hop but a commercialized version of Hip Hop called Rap. And as people continued to confuse rap for hip hop, things got totally out of control with the statement of the year "Hip Hop Is Dead". This declaration was first made by Nas when he released the self titled single, for his 2007 album, "Hip Hop is Dead".
Did he really believed the statement or was he using it as a clever way to create a buzz and draw attention to his album release? His response to the controversy bother me even more, saying he was referring to, not just hip hop, both the whole music scene in general, as far as creativity was concerned. Though I agreed with him 100% about the lack of creativity, I could not believe that he perceived hip hop as a once active member in mainstream music that, after being exposed to a virus called commercialism, fell victim and died.
Luckily, hip hop had major medias to represent and defend it against the assault...it... wait... what am I talking about... once the Source magazine started trixin' with Rap, the love affair was over and hip hop got kicked to the curb. And hip hop lived at Hot 97, in the beginning, but after they attracted enough listeners off that claim, they raised the rent so high it downgraded hip hop from the penthouse apt, to a one room studio in the basement, finally back to the streets.
That's when I decided to expand my presentation to do more then just highlight the differences between the culture of Hip Hop & commercial mainstream Rap, I also had to prove that Hip Hop was still alive. I decided the best way to do this was to present a clearer and more detailed description of what Hip Hop was. I had to go deeper than just identifying the 5 elements, which is what the original idea was, but to explain why people love hip hop, what it means to live hip hop, and what other than the 5 elements separate hip hop from rap. As a result not only did I create a 3 part presentation, I developed what I feel is the most important part to this presentation, what I call the "Essence of the Culture".
Hip Hop has a soul, an essence that is made up of 3 main factors: Creativity, Originality, and Skill Development. These are the main factors that fuel hip hop culture. It is the force that governs it and the foundation for which it’s built. It dictates the art, fashion, and media of hip hop. When the music industry attempted to bring the music element of hip hop culture to the mainstream, it failed to include (or purposely excluded) the essence, leaving them with nothing more than a product called Rap music. Once an element (or person) of hip hop culture is separated from its essence, it becomes disconnected and no longer part of the culture.
My full presentation on Hip Hop culture can be viewed at:
http://nuflav.com/HipHopvsRapWhatis.html
You can contact Ray Nelson at feedback@nuflav.com
It's was all surreal and as I watched America's corporate media do what they do best, sensationalize a story for ratings (prime example, after the Virginia Tech University shooting, one media outlet went so far as to place a picture of 50 Cent next to the shooter's picture, claiming that his music was responsible for influencing the killer to commit the violence).
Oprah's "Town Meeting On Hip Hop", BET's "Hip Hop vs. America", Paula Zahn's "Hip Hop: Art or Poison" allowed out of touch black leaders, right-winged whites, and angry women groups to all scream "Hip Hop"... "Hip Hop negatively influences youth to do this...", "Hip Hop promotes that....”, "Hip Hop is the source of all societies ills". To make matters worse the people on these panels who were invited to speak for hip hop were mostly rappers and members of the rap industry out to preserve their moneymaker. The legitimate members of the hip hop community on these 3 panels could be counted on one hand, Common (Oprah's Town Meeting on Hip Hop), Chuck D & Nelson George (Hip Hop vs. America), and a couple of others. Hip Hop wasn't giving a fair opportunity to articulate to America, that what was actually being pumped out on major radio waves and on the Viacom machine (MTV, BET, and VH1) was not Hip Hop but a commercialized version of Hip Hop called Rap. And as people continued to confuse rap for hip hop, things got totally out of control with the statement of the year "Hip Hop Is Dead". This declaration was first made by Nas when he released the self titled single, for his 2007 album, "Hip Hop is Dead".
Did he really believed the statement or was he using it as a clever way to create a buzz and draw attention to his album release? His response to the controversy bother me even more, saying he was referring to, not just hip hop, both the whole music scene in general, as far as creativity was concerned. Though I agreed with him 100% about the lack of creativity, I could not believe that he perceived hip hop as a once active member in mainstream music that, after being exposed to a virus called commercialism, fell victim and died.
Luckily, hip hop had major medias to represent and defend it against the assault...it... wait... what am I talking about... once the Source magazine started trixin' with Rap, the love affair was over and hip hop got kicked to the curb. And hip hop lived at Hot 97, in the beginning, but after they attracted enough listeners off that claim, they raised the rent so high it downgraded hip hop from the penthouse apt, to a one room studio in the basement, finally back to the streets.
That's when I decided to expand my presentation to do more then just highlight the differences between the culture of Hip Hop & commercial mainstream Rap, I also had to prove that Hip Hop was still alive. I decided the best way to do this was to present a clearer and more detailed description of what Hip Hop was. I had to go deeper than just identifying the 5 elements, which is what the original idea was, but to explain why people love hip hop, what it means to live hip hop, and what other than the 5 elements separate hip hop from rap. As a result not only did I create a 3 part presentation, I developed what I feel is the most important part to this presentation, what I call the "Essence of the Culture".
Hip Hop has a soul, an essence that is made up of 3 main factors: Creativity, Originality, and Skill Development. These are the main factors that fuel hip hop culture. It is the force that governs it and the foundation for which it’s built. It dictates the art, fashion, and media of hip hop. When the music industry attempted to bring the music element of hip hop culture to the mainstream, it failed to include (or purposely excluded) the essence, leaving them with nothing more than a product called Rap music. Once an element (or person) of hip hop culture is separated from its essence, it becomes disconnected and no longer part of the culture.
My full presentation on Hip Hop culture can be viewed at:
http://nuflav.com/HipHopvsRapWhatis.html
You can contact Ray Nelson at feedback@nuflav.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Michael Jackson - The Genie and the Genius
Michael Jackson has been celebrated for his ingenius and spectacular contribution to music, but what exactly was that contribution?
Michael was the easy master of showbusiness. He understood how to appeal to mass audiencs in a way that music marketing executives were inable to do before. He will probably always be best known for his Thriller Album, the number 1 bestselling album of all time, which he co-produced with motown mogul Quincy Jones. It revolutionised the music industry, doing for it a lot of what JAWS had done for movies - fast paced, exciting, innovative blockbuster videos. As an original stragey, John Landon (director of American Werewolf in London) was hired to direct the now iconic and memorable, Thriller, mimicked by both Chris Brown (on stage) and Jennifer Garner (on the silver screen).
Altogether 7 singles were released from 80s album, a novel accomplishment for a solo artist. Most of these debuted in the Billboard Top Ten For starters. The album featured a more original, sophisticated and careflly cultivated cover than other albums before it. One of the notable features was the tiger cub next to him on the centrefold. In ancient times, kings used wild animals on insignia, and in portraits as a metaphor for their power. For the modern King of Pop, the feline signalled his entertainment takeover and the silky, svelte moves that he would become legendary for.
The album's music videos took the music industry to a whole new level of artistry. Madonna was to follow closely on his heels of Thriller with the song Vogue, which formalised and acknowledged dance trends in the clubs. Strictly speaking, the material girl had piped Michael to the post with her meandering dance hook in holiday. This was, however, a singular move, and did not have the professionally choreographed, intricate sequences and movements of the Thriller videos, like Michaels elegant knee jerk onto the table in Beat it visuals. Although memorable, this was only one of his numerous signature moves. African American bands like the Tavares and the Jackson 5 had always used chorus-like dancing but this was noticeably less intricate, less distinctive and less exciting. Michael was the first solo artist to introduce this standard of dance, one that required a great deal of expertise and flexibility. This continued to be a feature not only of many of his videos that followed, but of the industry in general.
Being the first black artist to be signed bySONY Records for a record-breaking figure at the time, Jackson broke colour bars in music, and demonstrated that black artists could stretch profitably into the realm of popular music, rather than stay in the smaller market of R&B. Needless to say, at the Grammies he continued to cultivate his ubiquitousand flamboyant style with a shiny outfit, having already launched a fashion craze as copies of his red jackets were flown around the world. His short pants look also caught on quickly. The famous star, was accompanied by Brooke Shields and popular TV sitcom child star, when he accepted 8 Grammies, still a record for a solo artist. These include wins ifor best male vocal performance n three categories - POP, ROCK and R&B. The only artists to accomplish this are Al Jerreau and more recently Justin Timberlake.
Thriller was part of the larger phenomena of Michael as a superpersonality. Together with Madonna, the fifth child of the Jackson family from Indiana defined the eighties. With Lionel Richie, he won another Grammy after the BAD album for We are the World, which he co-wrote and co-produced with Richie. Although not the first collaboration of its kind (the first was by UK's Band Aid), it was moving and again, carried a winning melody. He would win his last Grammy for Best Video for Scream, his duet with his youngest sister. Janet and Michael are the only siblings to have scored number one hits in both the UK and the USA. As though this was not enough for the HIStory books, there are other commendations, notably his groundbreaking solos - Heal the World and The Earth Song, not original ideas, but new for a solo artist.
That Jackson sparkle in the eighties and nineties came as a result of his tactical approach, and his vigilance. He kept his ear to the ground and kept his sound relevant and appealing. Even when it seemed as though much of the magic had faded, the musical genius still managed to sellout 50 concerts with ease. A fifty year career, countless singles, and albums, he counts as one of the most prolific artists and businessmen of all time. In years to come, he may well be spoken about in the same breath as other unique and unforgettable personalities of the twentieth century - Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, and the Beetles.
Author:
Tasha Rivers
Michael was the easy master of showbusiness. He understood how to appeal to mass audiencs in a way that music marketing executives were inable to do before. He will probably always be best known for his Thriller Album, the number 1 bestselling album of all time, which he co-produced with motown mogul Quincy Jones. It revolutionised the music industry, doing for it a lot of what JAWS had done for movies - fast paced, exciting, innovative blockbuster videos. As an original stragey, John Landon (director of American Werewolf in London) was hired to direct the now iconic and memorable, Thriller, mimicked by both Chris Brown (on stage) and Jennifer Garner (on the silver screen).
Altogether 7 singles were released from 80s album, a novel accomplishment for a solo artist. Most of these debuted in the Billboard Top Ten For starters. The album featured a more original, sophisticated and careflly cultivated cover than other albums before it. One of the notable features was the tiger cub next to him on the centrefold. In ancient times, kings used wild animals on insignia, and in portraits as a metaphor for their power. For the modern King of Pop, the feline signalled his entertainment takeover and the silky, svelte moves that he would become legendary for.
The album's music videos took the music industry to a whole new level of artistry. Madonna was to follow closely on his heels of Thriller with the song Vogue, which formalised and acknowledged dance trends in the clubs. Strictly speaking, the material girl had piped Michael to the post with her meandering dance hook in holiday. This was, however, a singular move, and did not have the professionally choreographed, intricate sequences and movements of the Thriller videos, like Michaels elegant knee jerk onto the table in Beat it visuals. Although memorable, this was only one of his numerous signature moves. African American bands like the Tavares and the Jackson 5 had always used chorus-like dancing but this was noticeably less intricate, less distinctive and less exciting. Michael was the first solo artist to introduce this standard of dance, one that required a great deal of expertise and flexibility. This continued to be a feature not only of many of his videos that followed, but of the industry in general.
Being the first black artist to be signed bySONY Records for a record-breaking figure at the time, Jackson broke colour bars in music, and demonstrated that black artists could stretch profitably into the realm of popular music, rather than stay in the smaller market of R&B. Needless to say, at the Grammies he continued to cultivate his ubiquitousand flamboyant style with a shiny outfit, having already launched a fashion craze as copies of his red jackets were flown around the world. His short pants look also caught on quickly. The famous star, was accompanied by Brooke Shields and popular TV sitcom child star, when he accepted 8 Grammies, still a record for a solo artist. These include wins ifor best male vocal performance n three categories - POP, ROCK and R&B. The only artists to accomplish this are Al Jerreau and more recently Justin Timberlake.
Thriller was part of the larger phenomena of Michael as a superpersonality. Together with Madonna, the fifth child of the Jackson family from Indiana defined the eighties. With Lionel Richie, he won another Grammy after the BAD album for We are the World, which he co-wrote and co-produced with Richie. Although not the first collaboration of its kind (the first was by UK's Band Aid), it was moving and again, carried a winning melody. He would win his last Grammy for Best Video for Scream, his duet with his youngest sister. Janet and Michael are the only siblings to have scored number one hits in both the UK and the USA. As though this was not enough for the HIStory books, there are other commendations, notably his groundbreaking solos - Heal the World and The Earth Song, not original ideas, but new for a solo artist.
That Jackson sparkle in the eighties and nineties came as a result of his tactical approach, and his vigilance. He kept his ear to the ground and kept his sound relevant and appealing. Even when it seemed as though much of the magic had faded, the musical genius still managed to sellout 50 concerts with ease. A fifty year career, countless singles, and albums, he counts as one of the most prolific artists and businessmen of all time. In years to come, he may well be spoken about in the same breath as other unique and unforgettable personalities of the twentieth century - Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, and the Beetles.
Author:
Tasha Rivers
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Hip Hop Mixtape – Cool Music, Cool Sounds!.
The idea of creating the mixtape goes way back into the 70’s, when adequate equipment became accessible to the wide public. Basically, it was a specific collection of tunes recorded onto a compact audio cassette. This could happen on a various scale. For example, a friend could make you a mixtape of tracks from a particular genre (be it a series of pop hits or of underground hip hop songs) or with a particular meaning; similarly, a certain person could, sometimes against copyright laws, commercialize mixtapes of various content within certain communities for quick financial benefits.
The early ones had eight tracks and were theme related. Some were released before Christmas or at the beginning of January (having as title the year) and were successful from a commercial point of view. The mixtape was, in a way, the grandfather of the modern compilation, and although it always covered a wide variety of genres, hip hop was indubitably among the most popular, and it helped spread the practice (soon to be described as a form of art).
Typically, such a tape conveys the tastes of its creator to all its listeners. It can be a simple choice of favorite songs at a particular moment, as well as a mood-oriented or genre-oriented compilation. It could be a collection of the creator’s favorite hip hop tracks at that moment or of the best rock hits of all time. Also, in the 70’s and 80’s, it was extremely popular in the USA to offer mixtapes as gifts – therefore, their content could very well be an attempt at pleasing the musical tastes of the receiver. In hip hop oriented communities, for example, it was very common for a hip hop mixtape to circulate quickly.
Since consumer-available technology also evolved, it’s common nowadays for this to happen in the form of an audio CD or of an mp3 playlist. Implicitly, terms like “hip hop mixtape “, which were full of meaning, lost it for some, who argued that there was no longer a tape involved anywhere in the process, hence the charm was lost with the gain of facility. But although the CD is probably the most common form of making such a mix at home nowadays, the 70’s-created concept remains exactly the same, and putting a “hip hop mixtape” label on a CD is no sacrilege, as the hip hop content is essential for the listener.
Some more experienced users preferred to add special effects to the tape, which gave it higher quality as well as a more personal note. This included things like fading effects between one song and another so as not to brutally make the passing or even specific (sometimes hand-made) cover art. Also, thanks to the appearance of turntables, it became common for a hip hop mixtape to contain many more DJ effects and fine touches.
Article Source: http://marketing.article24h.com/category/arts-culture.html
Author: Ken Wilson
Remember the times when a hip hop mixtape was the coolest gift you could receive? Even if the times have changed and technology has advanced to a whole new level, hip hop music is just as popular if not even more. Listen to the music we provide and enjoy the great rhythm!
http://www.youbeats.com
The early ones had eight tracks and were theme related. Some were released before Christmas or at the beginning of January (having as title the year) and were successful from a commercial point of view. The mixtape was, in a way, the grandfather of the modern compilation, and although it always covered a wide variety of genres, hip hop was indubitably among the most popular, and it helped spread the practice (soon to be described as a form of art).
Typically, such a tape conveys the tastes of its creator to all its listeners. It can be a simple choice of favorite songs at a particular moment, as well as a mood-oriented or genre-oriented compilation. It could be a collection of the creator’s favorite hip hop tracks at that moment or of the best rock hits of all time. Also, in the 70’s and 80’s, it was extremely popular in the USA to offer mixtapes as gifts – therefore, their content could very well be an attempt at pleasing the musical tastes of the receiver. In hip hop oriented communities, for example, it was very common for a hip hop mixtape to circulate quickly.
Since consumer-available technology also evolved, it’s common nowadays for this to happen in the form of an audio CD or of an mp3 playlist. Implicitly, terms like “hip hop mixtape “, which were full of meaning, lost it for some, who argued that there was no longer a tape involved anywhere in the process, hence the charm was lost with the gain of facility. But although the CD is probably the most common form of making such a mix at home nowadays, the 70’s-created concept remains exactly the same, and putting a “hip hop mixtape” label on a CD is no sacrilege, as the hip hop content is essential for the listener.
Some more experienced users preferred to add special effects to the tape, which gave it higher quality as well as a more personal note. This included things like fading effects between one song and another so as not to brutally make the passing or even specific (sometimes hand-made) cover art. Also, thanks to the appearance of turntables, it became common for a hip hop mixtape to contain many more DJ effects and fine touches.
Article Source: http://marketing.article24h.com/category/arts-culture.html
Author: Ken Wilson
Remember the times when a hip hop mixtape was the coolest gift you could receive? Even if the times have changed and technology has advanced to a whole new level, hip hop music is just as popular if not even more. Listen to the music we provide and enjoy the great rhythm!
http://www.youbeats.com
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