Stax Museum History

Finally, it has already been said but bears repeating: Memphis is where Graceland is. It is the final resting place of The King. It is the single most important place in the entire world. That alone makes Memphis not only one of the greatest American cities, but one of the greatest cities in the world. Anyone who disagrees hates not only rock and roll and barbeque, but everything that makes America

Motown helped break down some racial barriers during this era. America during this era was one of gross racial stereotypes. Motown forced America to confront its own feelings about race, community, intolerance, justice and reality. Motown coincided with the emergence of the civil rights movement and both were inextricably linked. Motown was a type of prelude for Dr. Martin Luther King; it helped set the stage for the major changes that were underway. Motown broke many of the traditional stereotypes of African Americans. This music was the backbone for conversation, particularly the young, and initiated an intense re-examination of some prevalent stereotypes. It was long overdue don’t you think? My grandmother told me that when she was growing up during the sixties she can remember her mother yelling at her to “turn off that nigger trash!”, but my grandmother could’ve cared less, she had friends who were African American and there was nothing wrongful with listening to the music, but things were different in New York, not much different but forgiving enough to let children form their own opinions on the music and the artists behind it.

I watched a video from the 50th anniversary presentations. The video I watched was about Rock and Roll, Segregation, and The British Invasion of 1964. It was lectured by Dr. Christy Talbott, and she first talked about the pre rock and roll period. The term Rock and Roll came from a song from the year 1938, that stated “My baby rock and rolls me all night.” Rock and Roll or also known as American Rock, was changed completely after the British Invasion came in 1964. The invasion turned Rock and Roll into what is known today as Rock, it made a change for the good. Musicians in the pre Rock and Roll era, sang about current events similar as we do today. The events they sang about was Segregation, North Vs. South inferiority and the wars that were happening at the time World War 2, Korean War and Vietnam War. THe artists of this time consisted of The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens and the most famous of them all Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley’s music was called “White man with an African American feel.” In 1959 Motown records in Detroit, Michigan hired an all black group called “The Temptations.” Their song “My Girl” hit number one on the billboards in 1964. The man that hired them was Berry Gordy Jr. Berry Gordy Jr also hired all black women groups as well, but unlike the all black male groups he dressed the women groups as white folk.

Around 1903 when my parent's died to survive, my brother, Andrew, and I began to perform a musical act on the streets of Chattanooga. I sang and my brother accompanied me on the guitar, often in front of the White Elephant Saloon. In 1912, when Clarence my older brother returned to Chattanooga, he persuaded the managers of his troupe, Lonnie and Cora Fisher, to give me an audition. Consequently, I was hired as a dancer with the Moses Stokes Company, to perform in a show that included the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey. Intriguing rumors surround our meeting—legend has it that Ma Rainey literally kidnapped me, that she and her husband forced me to tour with their show, teaching me in the process how to sing the blues. Some rumors say we had

Thanks to the critically acclaimed “Muscle Shoals” documentary, music lovers are finding their way to the small town in northwest Alabama where some of the world’s greatest hits were recorded. This was the very town where, at Rick Hall’s FAME Studios and the rival Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Aretha Franklin found her groove, Paul Simon developed “Kodachrome” and Wilson Pickett cranked up “Mustang Sally.”

Gordy released ‘Sound of Young America’ this gained popularity between both races white and black alike. This made them come together and listen to the same music. It transcended to racial boundaries and made it so revolutionary to the Motown Civil Rights. Motown's best selling and releasing albums and artist were african american they made a huge impact in this decade and in the music itself. Gordy's vision came true for there to be peace with the races and no matter what color you are it does not affect what kind of music you listen to and/ or who you listen to. The only things that matter is that we are equal and we can do things together without fighting and being racist about everything. The Civil Rights Movement brought MLK into a whole new light. They recorded his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech before he left so say it to the world. This helps because he already helped one area in the world and then he went to help so much and Motown

“JAZZ” is a documentary by Ken Burns released 2001 that focuses on the creation and development of jazz, America’s “greatest cultural achievement.” The first episodes entitled, “Gumbo, Beginnings to 1917” and “The Gift (1917-1924), explain the early growth of jazz as it originates in New Orleans and its expands to Chicago and New York during the Jazz Age. In assessing the first two episodes of Ken Burns' 2001 documentary, "JAZZ," this essay will explore the history of jazz, the music's racial implications, and it's impact on society. In doing so, attention will also be given to the structure of the documentary, and the effectiveness of documentary film in retelling the past.

As Edgar Degas once said, “ Art is not what you see, but what others make you see”. The St. Louis Art Museum is a place for artist to display their art and give spectators the option to see art from a new perspective. This was the case for me. As we walked up to the beautifully structured building that stood so tall and wide, my expectations were extremely high. At first glance I notice the bronze statue of King Louis IX of France riding high on his horse. From this statue alone, my expectations of the art museum grew stronger. I have never been to an art museum before, so I wasn’t sure of what to expect. My first expectation was to see huge detailed sculptures right as I walked through the door. That expectation didn’t come true.

Music has meant many things throughout history. For many, music can be used as a form of religion, worship, or as way to pass the time while working in the fields (Music 2001). In the case of Motown, it was able to change the way that the black society was viewed. Before Motown, African Americans did not have very many rights and were seen as unequal to the white society. All of this change was achieved with the help of a man named Berry Gordy. Gordy was able to take the struggles from the lives of past African Americans, change the music world with some key players, and change the way that society viewed the African American race.

A number of years ago, I performed for the Williamson County Historical Society in Nolensville, Tennessee. The primary speaker at the event was Larry Hicklen, owner of the Civil War relic store Yesteryear, which is near Stones River National Battlefield. He was discussing Nolensville’s involvement in the Civil War. He encouraged me to visit his store, as well as the battlefield. Unfortunately, as a college student, my free time is limited. Therefore, I found few opportunities to visit either location. I took this assignment as a chance to visit the battlefield, having previously been to the Carter House, the Hermitage, and Sam Davis’ Home, being well familiar with the last of these locations due to my having performed Civil War-era music there numerous times.

Berry Gordy founded Motown records in 1959, and created one of the most famous recording companies to ever produce music. Motown had crossover success that helped promote the music of African Americans. Motown records helped the civil rights movement and helped the blacks in their fight for their rights. Berry Gordy really helped out the African American community by creating Motown records and showing the world that blacks could really make quality music.

At a point in history where there was so much controversy over segregation and where minorities were treated unfairly it was easy to see that there was no one solution to such a problem. One may have anticipated that the road to equal rights would be a long and bumpy one. However, they may not have anticipated that a start up record label out of Detroit would play an important role in the movement towards Civil Rights. This record label would change the face of music in the 60s to allow for young African-American artists to enter the scene with a fighting chance.

This judgment began unexpectedly to spread as African American music, especially the blues and jazz, became a worldwide sensation. Black music provided the pulse of the Harlem Renaissance and of the Jazz Age more generally. The rise of the “race records” industry, beginning with OKeh’s recording of Mamie Smith’s

The broadcasting and recording industries did not solely represent the conquering racial assumptions of the 1950's, they internalized them and helped to continue them. Racial conventions permeated the organization and structure of the music industry at every level. The very existence

Stax began in a Memphis garage in 1957 as Satellite Records, a project of Jim Stewart, soon joined by his sister Estelle Axton, both white. From these humble beginnings, it enjoyed a fairy-tale rise, becoming a revered name, the home of the great Otis Redding, of “Soul Man” and “In the Midnight Hour.”