IMPRESSIONS

Music was a constant source of entertainment in our home. Through smiles, and tears, music was always there as a joyful, healing and restorative energy.  As I reflect back, music filled our hearts and minds with deep emotions and lasting memories.

 

 

Even though many years have passed,   I can still remember the elder members of my family getting together and listening to music.   They would joke and laugh and dance and enjoy their time together. 

 

 

There were so many wonderful musical artist that they loved and enjoyed.  Through them, I also learned to appreciate and love these artist, too.   

 

 

Those times and my elder’s musical taste set a foundation for my current love of music.

FATS DOMINO
FATS DOMINO
When I was a child, the music of Fats Domino was dearly loved by the adults around me.  I can still remember...
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SAM COOKE
SAM COOKE
When I as a child, “You Send Me” and “Bring It On Home” were two Sam Cooke songs that our elders really...
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THE DRIFTERS
THE DRIFTERS
As a child, I can remember the music of the Drifters.  Their songs were so smooth, so inviting.      
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LITTLE RICHARD
LITTLE RICHARD
Little Richard was a singer and pianist with a  completely unique vocal style.  In my early years, the...
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THE COASTERS
THE COASTERS
In my early years, the adults loved the beat and the rhythm of The Coasters, the children loved the lyrics.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRA3majpFXI&pp=ygUMdGhlIGNvYXN0ZXJz   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N60PqnhLqkc&pp=ygUMdGhlIGNvYXN0ZXJz   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D0SUGdO4ok&pp=ygUadGhlIGNvYXN0ZXJzIGNoYXJsaWUgYnJvd24%3D  
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BROOK BENTON & DINAH WASHINGTON
BROOK BENTON & DINAH WASHINGTON
“Think Twice” and “Teach Me Tonight” were popular songs that  the adults enjoyed during my childhood. ...
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ETTA JAMES
ETTA JAMES
Etta James had a unique voice and style.  The love ballad, “At Last” was made famous by Ms....
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DINAH WASHINGTON
DINAH WASHINGTON
Dinah Washington was a musical diva in her time.   Her amazing voice and lavish lifestyle gave her celebrity...
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BROOK BENTON
BROOK BENTON
Brook Benton had a wonderful distinct way of delivering a song.  “Think Twice” and “It’s...
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THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW

Like so many children, when I was young, I believed my life my boring and mundane.  In those times, television was my saving grace.   I planned my free time around watching certain tv shows. 

 

When I was very young, watching The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday evening was a big event in many African American households and my household was no exception.   

PEARL BAILEY
PEARL BAILEY
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ELLA FITZGERALD AND SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
ELLA FITZGERALD AND SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
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LOUIS ARMSTRONG
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
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HARRY BELAFONTE
HARRY BELAFONTE
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The Ed Sullivan Show introduced or reintroduced African Americans to artist that looked and sounded like them.   At that time, seeing an African American performer on tv was not commonplace.  When they did appear on television, they usually played the role of someone providing a service  (i.e., a maid, a shoeshine person, etc).  For that reason, watching finely dressed, elegant and highly skilled artist like Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong and Harry Belafonte perform on The Ed Sullivan Show was a new and life changing experience for many African Americans.   


Because of The Ed Sullivan Show, these artists and other entertainers like Diahann Carroll, James Brown, The Jackson 5, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone were seen by a diverse television audiences and went on to have careers that made them household names in the United States and abroad.  

DIAHANN CARROLL
DIAHANN CARROLL
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NINA SIMONE
NINA SIMONE
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JAMES BROWN
JAMES BROWN
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STEVIE WONDER
STEVIE WONDER
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THE JACKSON 5
THE JACKSON 5
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RAY CHARLES
RAY CHARLES
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