60s music
Groove along to Beat Media's breakdown of the bands, artists, songs and culture that defined the 60s.
Gil Bridges of Rare Earth Charges Racism for Being All White Band Kept out of Motown Museum
Photo by kate When Gil Bridges was in grade school in Detroit the only instrument taught was the violin. His dad thought it a girl's instrument so he had to wait. At ten, Bridges saw Aldo Ray performing the saxophone, and his older sister suggested that was the axe he should start swinging. He took the advice and went onto play in the various school bands – marching, jazz and symphonic. A friend eventually approached him about joining their band. But playing that scene with the Sunliners was something he was initially afraid to try. A little coaxing later, he was in. Beginning in 1960, they played the Motown clubs, and by the late sixties, they received a record deal from MGM/Verve. Despite not having that association go far, Motown approached the band and Rare Earth was born. As a result, songs such as "Get Ready" and "I Just Want to Celebrate" became part of the American musical lexicon.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Jimi Hendrix Came Right Off the Bat
Jimi Hendrix is considered to be one of the best ever to play the electric guitar. He has to be at least top ten in every list that exists around the world involving the revolutionary instrument. He is a guitar god, and he bolted into the Rock scene right off the bat.
By Bazooka Teaches3 years ago in Beat
The Never-Ending Story of the Women of Motown
As a child, one of the first CDs I ever owned was a Motown's Greatest Hits CD that I got for my eleventh birthday. Being that I turned eleven in 2009, decades after Motown's golden era under founder Berry Gordy, Jr. had already ended, my music taste led people to believe that I was an old soul. But the truth is that Motown's music is timeless and has remained in people's hearts and minds since its inception in the late 50s.
By C.R. Hughes3 years ago in Beat
Inspirational Woman of music
Whether you realize it or not, we are all authors of our own stories. Each and every day when we wake up, we are deciding what type of character we are going to be. The gift you were born with can come in any shape, size, or form. However, what you choose to do with that gift, is what matters the most. Not all heroes wear capes . The essence and contributions of Black women are evident in the music industry.Whenever I think of a black women there’s two words that comes to mind: strength and resilience.
By IAM SimplyShan3 years ago in Beat
The Phenomenal Monkees
The four very talented young gentlemen who came together to form The Monkees were put together just to create a TV show. What resulted was a strong friendship between the guys and they showed that they were very talented not only musically but also with creative acting. The four guys were Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith. They showed everyone that they could sing and wound up creating a musical style that became known as their very own. When you heard one of their songs there was no doubt that the group playing was The Monkees.
By Rasma Raisters3 years ago in Beat
Nina Cried Power.
I came across Nina Simone's music one lazy April evening two years ago, as if destined from above. A newly born Jeff Buckley fan, his cover (unbeknownst to me at the time) of Nina's 'Lilac Wine' was a song I quickly grew to love. After falling in love with Hozier's album, 'Wasteland Baby' that same month, in particular the opening track 'Nina Cried Power', I grew curious of who this 'Nina' was.
By Ciarán Coleman3 years ago in Beat
Mississippi Goddam
“Alabama's gotten me so upset Tennessee made me lose my rest And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam” With the blistering, searing anger of this song, Nina Simone left her mainstream-friendly, light-hearted jazz days behind and catapulted herself to the front of the civil rights movement. Nina became a prominent, outspoken figure of the movement, using her musical power and prowess to fight in her own unique way for the rights of African-Americans and to try to effect change in the United States. This dedication to the cause came at great personal cost. Nina would later tell Jet magazine that Mississippi Goddam ruined her career. The song was banned in southern states. Her records were smashed and the pieces sent to her record label. Nina believed she was boycotted by the music industry. She left America in the early 70s, and although she would return for concerts, she never lived there again.
By Jenifer Nim3 years ago in Beat