The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day
This song has already been featured on Gospel music that changed the world. But when it was recommended for our victory party I couldn't think of anything more appropriate. So everybody sing along.
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
more...
Junior Wells - Messin' With The Kid (1978)
Chicago Blues was the other soundtrack for the Civil Rights era. After the British Invasion Blues had a revival thanks in part to Blues covers by The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and many other bands. In Chicago they were ready, to paraphrase Muddy Waters, because the Blues lived in Chicago.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was one of the first national acts that was integrated. To think of their audacity. Blacks and whites playing music together on the same stage. And on college campuses all over the country students were grooving on "East West".
Paul Butterfield - Born In Chicago
Paul Butterfield - East West
Buddy Guy was a top session guitarist at Chess, a Chicago label that recorded Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Koko Taylor, and many others. Guy has been credited with developing the electric blues style popularized by Jimi Hendrix. Of course Jimi brought his own chops to the table. Buddy Guy is now one of the top Blues draws in the world.
Buddy Guy - Sweet Home Chicago
At the same time Hound Dog Taylor was playing a rocking slide guitar Blues that became the heartbeat of The Rolling Stones new sound on Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet. Little Walter developed the electric harp style popularized by Butterfield that now permeates all genres of music.
Hound Dog Taylor and Little Walter - Wild About You Baby
This was the state of the Blues in Chicago in the sixties. Chicago Blues musicians had developed a sound that was destined to take off and rule the world. Even Country music today owes the Chicago Blues and this sound completely transformed Rock and Roll.
Gospel music was the soundtrack for the Civil Rights movement. And the Chicago Blues was the other side of that coin. This was an African American art form becoming integrated and reaching a white audience. When segregation was denied on America's stages it was a major step to denying it everywhere.
Please join the discussion in the comments. Did the Chicago Blues and the integration of music make it possible for us to have our first Black president? Can music really change the world?
Thanks,
Hairy Larry