With glorious creativity, the 1970’s was a very funky, inspirational decade.

The music of this time in many

respects expanded on the previous decade of the 1960’s in terms of subject matter, influence, and the art of
songwriting. Many artists were comprehensively writing songs, playing instruments, and forming their own
enterprises as professionals. Controversies existed too in terms of debates on social/political issues, the
question of corporate power in the music industry, and the right-wing backlash spreading (especially by the end
of the 1970’s). The postwar economic boom in the West ended with an advent of civil wars, domestic conflicts,
and other events. From the invention of the first commercial microprocessor (the Intel 4004) in 1971 to the
decolonization in Africa, the 1970’s was a time of excitement. The music of the 1970’s was filled with diversity
and power. Rock music became more diverse with glam rock, blues rock, heavy metal, and hard rock. We saw
reggae reach more innovations as found in Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. Not to mention that R&B music, country,
gospel, and jazz were highly popular. The 1970’s saw the invention of the ever debated, ever resilient musical
genre of hip hop music (filled with sampling music, DJs, graffiti, and the M.C. showing rhythmic musical poetry
on stages globally). Henceforth, the 1970’s ushered in a new era of music the redefined cultural conventions
along with harboring that same criteria of excellence found in human life.

All of these legendary black women made music during the
1970’s. Their names (from le to right) are Gladys Knight,
Pa Labelle, Natalie Cole, Nona Hendryx, and Phylicia
Rashad.
“God surrounded me with people of
faith. People of strong faith, people of
power, spiritual power, and I saw little
miracles happen in their lives. By it
Happening in their lives, I started
believing it could happen to me.”
-Natalie Cole

The Table of Contents

1. Preface
2. Folk Sounds
3. Hard Rock and Metal
4. Disco and Soulful Sounds
5. Funk
6. Hip Hop at Its Start
7. Contemporary Pop
 The images above show a concert done by Stevie Wonder and his musician friends in Germany (on the Germany TV show
called Musikladen on January 23, 1974). Stevie Wonder is always the icon and ultimate genius. Instruments, sounds, great
lyrics, and soul were in that performance indeed. Yes, in the image on the left is the legend Deniece Williams, who was a
backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder as part of Wonderlove group, lending her vocals on his albums Talking Book, Fulfillingness'
First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life. Deniece Williams would go forward to establish her own great solo career in her own
right too.

The 1970's saw massive changes in the world. It was the first generation seeing of the first
fruits of the massive social and cultural changes that were born from the 1960's. It was a
time of massive economic upheaval after the postwar economic boom. By the early to
mid-1970's, economic inequality worldwide increased (especially by the end of the
Vietnam War). There were coups, wars, civil wars, and the rise of the conservative
backlash against progressive reforms by the end of the 1970's (with the rise of Ronald
Reagan and Conservative UK leader Margaret Thatcher Ronald Reagan almost won the
Republican nomination for President as early as 1976). We saw serial killers, military
coups, and the growth of neoliberal economic theory in the replacement of Keynesian
economics. Some good news is that more women and persons of color (including black
people) expanded into positions of power, there were decolonization in many parts of the
world, and the Green Revolution helped to provide food for billions of people. Also,
there was a musical revolution in the 1970's too. Fashion and culture were filled with
swagger, color, and creativity from stylized Afros to other forms of suits. The music of the
1970's saw rock, pop, R&B, country, gospel, and other genres of music being more
international. Popular culture became more like a business. Movies reflected the time
dealing with race, the drug trade, sex, culture, divorce, and science fiction like The French
Connection, Coffy, Kramer vs. Kramer, Jaws, Saturday Night Fever, Foxy Brown, The
Godfather, etc.

Groups and solo artists like Earth, Wind, and Fire, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Elton
John, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, REO Speedwagon, The Doobie Brothers, etc.
weren't just expressed in the States. These artists displayed their talents globally. Funk
developed into the next level by the 1970's, as funk is an offshoot of soul music. The
latter half of the decade was dominated by disco bands and singers from Donna Summer,
Chic, Sister Sledge, A Tase of Honey, Heatwave, the Hues Corporations, Kool & the
gang, Shalamar, The Gap Band, etc. Metal bands have grown from Deep Purple,
Aerosmith The Who, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and other people. Rock music in general
became more diverse with progressive rock, folk rock, soft rock, and punk. Punk was all
about rebellion against the establishment, and it existed from the poor and the suffering
in America and in the United Kingdom. Punk, is similar to hip hop, as hip hop was born
in the 1970's in the poor and suffering communities of New York City. From the death
of musical icons of the early 1970's to the end of the 1970's seeing new sounds exploding,
the 1970's had some of the most talented musical artists in human history.

Folk Sounds
Folk music during the 1970’s had a widespread renaissance. Many people used rock influences in
the genre too. Many people from the 1950’s and 1960’s expressed themselves with folk music in
the 1970’s. Also, new artists grew too. Traditional folk music has existed since the 1950’s. Many
folk musical songs and albums had oral traditions, references to events, love of human culture,
discussions of social issues, and a fusion of cultures too. Folk music has been part of Cajun music
in Louisiana, Appalachian music, and in the African American community too. By the 1970’s,
folk music was more diverse. Pete Seeger is a famous folk singer who was blacklisted because of
his political views back during the 1950’s. We know about the singer Odetta with her folk sounds.
Bonnie Koloc is a Chicago based American folk music singer-songwriter who made her recording
debut in 1971. As early as 1968, she released her first album called Melanie. Folk music of the
1970’s has been fueled by many new singer songwriters like Steve Goodman, John Prine, Emmylou
Harris, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Harry Chapin, and more human beings. Anne Briggs in 1971
made the album “Living by the Water.”

One of the most 1970’s folk singer Cat Stevens (who is now known as Yusuf Islam). He was one
of the most influential folk singers and songwriters of the decade. He was born in London,
England on July 21, 1948. He was famous for the 1967 song of The First Cut is the Deepest. He
incorporated folk, pop, rock, and Islamic music during his career. In the 1970’s, he had many
albums like Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971). The song of Peace
Train by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) was an anthem during the Vietnam War that explicitly called
for peace in the world. Father and Son, Morning Has Broken, Oh Very Young, Ready, Sweet
Jamaica are some of his other classic musical songs too. He earned ASCAP songwriting awards
in 2005 and in 2005 for The First Cut is the Deepest. He converted to Islam in December of 1977.
James Taylor has been a very great folk-rock artist for decades. He was born on March 12, 1948.
James Taylor can play the guitar, is a songwriter, is a singer, and is an actor. He earned six
Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Boston is the
location of his birth. He has made duets with Caroline King and other iconic artists. With songs
like Fire and Rain, You’ve Got a Friend, and Handy Man, we know that his music deals with love,
the philosophy of life, and other impactful themes that we contemplate on a daily basis. I even
heard of John Denver as a child. John Denver was an actor, humanitarian, and environmentalist.
Denver released about 300 songs. Many of his 33 albums were gold and platinum in America.
Some of his famous songs are Take Me Home, Country Roads, Calypso, Sunshine on My
Shoulders, Annie’s Song, etc. Rocky Mountain High from 1972 (in his album Rocky Mountain
High) was one of his famous songs that is one of the two official state songs of Colorado. Judee
Sill lived a short life, but she was a gifted mystic Christian folk singer and pianist. He was the
first artist David Geffen signed to his Asylum record label. She created the album called Heart
Food on her question to find spiritual enlightenment and the relationship with God. The folk
singer Karen Dalton established her album called In My Own Time. There are many more unsung
folk legends like Jean Ritchie, Mimi Farina, Tom Jans, Ian Matthews, and Rosalie Sorrels.

Hard Rock and Metal

Rock Music went towards many evolutions in the 1970's. The rock music of the late 1970's was
completely different than the rock of the early 1970's. The Beatles broke up after the release of
their last 1970 album Let it Be. All four members of the Beatles (Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul
McCarthy, and George Harrison) would go on to have successful solo careers. The Isle of Wight
festival was held in the UK with an audience of over 600,000 people. The festival had Jimi
Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, Chicago, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, Jethro Tull, Free, Taste, Ten
Years After, and Miles Davis in August of 1970. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and other people
passed away during the early 1970's. Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Trouble Water was their
last album and sold over 25 million copies. Rock groups like Shocking Blue, Black Sabbath, and
others released albums. Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young was a supergroup of rock artists that had
many songs like Our House, Teach Your Children, and a cover of Joni Mitchell's song of
"Woodstock." Santana had the song of Evil Ways. Spirit in the Sky was a gospel and western
movie-inspired song by California singer/songwriter Norman Greenbaum. It sold more than 2
million copies. Spirit in the Sky was a song that inspired the 1970’s Christian contemporary
movement filled with a creative ethos. American Woman was a song made by The Guess Who.
The Motown rock group Rare Earth did a cover of the Temptations' hit of Get Ready in 1970.
Paul McCartney made an album of McCartney where he played all of the instruments of the
album. Maybe I'm Amazed was one of his singles on the album. Music from Mountain, Deep
Purple, Grand Funk Railroad, The Stooges, Three Dog Night, and Bread existed. Chicago's album
of 25 or 6 to 4 was a prominent album. Neil Diamond had the song of Cracklin' Rosie. The Kinks,

and Sugarloaf made music. James Taylor had the song of

Fire and Rain which was one of his greatest songs. Fire
and Rain was released in August 1970 by Warner
Brothers. The song was Taylor’s reaction to the suicide
of his childhood friend of Suzzanne Schnerr (and his
drug addiction and fame). James Taylor would sell over
100 million records worldwide overcoming the fire and
rain.

The Partridge Family was on TV in November of 1970

The Dark Side of the Moon was the 8th
album of the English rock band of Pink
Floyd. It was released on March 1, 1973,
being a highly influential album. It focused
on important issues of greed, time, death,
conflict, and mental health. Songs like
Money and Us and Them outline the
intentions of the album’s compositions.
which is about a family band. The Grateful Dead, John
Lennon, etc. made music. George Harrison's My Sweet
Lord was released in December 1970. Harrison was
probably the Beatle with the best solo album. The song
wasn't about Jesus Christ. It was about Krishna and the
religion of Hinduism. For most of his life, Harrison
followed Hinduism until his passing. Jim Morrison
passed away in 1971. George Harrison in 1971 had an
album called All Things Must Pass. In 1971, George
Harrison organized a concert for Bangladesh in New
York City. It raised money to help the suffering people
of Bangladesh.

The first UK Glastonbury Festival was held in 1971.

Your Song was made by Elton John, and it was popular
The August 1, 1971 concert for Bangladesh in 1971. Lonely Days was made by the Bee Gees, a group
featured tons of musicians from George
Harrison to Bob Dylan. This concert helped from Australia who lived in the UK. The Bee Gees
to inspire Live Aid and other movements in would be supported by pop, rock, and R&B audiences.
the 1980’s and beyond to help fellow human
beings.
The Utah-based group The Osmonds had their song of
One Bad Apple. Janis Joplin, after her death, many
people promoted the song Me and Bobby McGee being highly influential. Gordon Lightfoot and
Jethro Tull made music. Proud Mary was a song made by Ike and Tina Turner. Proud Mary was
their rearranged version of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tina Turner would later form her
own solo career that would stretch multiple generations. She recently passed away in the year of
 2023. Bloodrock, The Doors, and Rolling Stones (who had the song of Brown Sugar) made music.
Jesus Christ Superstar was like the Kirk Franklin's Stomp of the 1970's generation. Jesus Christ
Superstar was a rock religious album that talked about the Gospel and Jesus Christ. It was a
Broadway play and a movie too. It was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It was
controversial back then and became more accepted by the public as time went on. The legendary
writer Carole King has the song of It's Too Late. Carole King Klein is one of the most influential
songwriters of music during the 20th century. Ringo Starr of the Beatles made the single of It
Don't Come Easy. Carly Simon, James Taylor, T. Rex, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Five Man
Electrical Band, John Prine, and the Who made music too. Duane Allman died in 1971 in a
motorcycle accident. The song Imagine was released by John Lennon in late 1971. Imagine was
about the Utopian vision of John Lennon and how he felt the world should be. It was a song that
opposed the Vietnam War. Imagine was the song that was released in October 1971 that wanted
listeners to imagine a world of peace without materialism, without borders separations, and
without religion (of course, I believe in the right of people to believe in religion or not. I believe
in the freedom of religion). He said that Yoko Ono contributed to the lyrical content of the song.
Led Zeppelin had their album of Led Zeppelin IV with their symbolic-filled song of Stairway to
Heaven with many esoteric meanings. David Bowie and Alice Cooper had their albums out too.
Glitter rock grew by 1972. The first New Years Rockin' Eve is televised on NBC and hosted by
Dick Clark. Neil Young had the song of Heart of Gold. Starman from David Bowie's album of
Ziggy Stardust promoted the glitter rock movement in 1972. Cat Stevens, Rocket Man from Elton
John, Looking Glass, Argent, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley (with his song of Burning Love being
a cover) was massively prominent during that time.

Unsung Rock Historical Events

Back on May 30, 1978, singer David Bowie performed As early as 1974, punk rock was in existence. The image
songs in Germany at the famous Musikladen German above showed the punk rock group called The Ramones
television music show. David Bowie can go old school and showing their music with vocals and guitars.
new school in his vocal ability.
 SOME OF THE PROMINENT PUNK ROCK BANDS

The Ramones was a punk
rock band formed in NYC at
Forest Hills, Queens. They
started in 1974 with Joey
Ramone, Johnny Ramone,
Dee Ramone, and other
human beings (they are not
biologically related). Their
music changed punk
forever with songs like
Blitzkrieg Bop, Rockaway
Beach, Do You Wanna
Dance?, etc.
The Stooges is from The Clash is an English Blondie was a punk MC5 is a proto punk
Ann Arbor Michigan punk rock band from band working with hip rock band that
since 1967 with Iggy London since hop artist and pioneer influenced punk music
Pop, Ron Asheton, 1976. By the Fab Five Freddie in the heavily. They were
Scott Asheton, and 1970’s, punk rock took song Rapture. Blondie formed in Lincoln Park,
bassist Dave over British culture. The formed the band in Michigan back in 1963.
Alexander. The Clash used reggae, dub, 1974 with Debbie Kick Out the James is
group is known funk, ska, and rockabilly Harry and guitarist one of their many
for being in their music. Joe Chris Stein. They had famous songs. Their
confrontational Strummer, Mick Jones, new wave elements leftist views and anti-
against the Paul Simonon, and too. Their songs of establishment lyrics are
establishment. Their Nicky Headon were Heart of Glass, One well known. They had
music members of The Clash. Way or Another, energic performances.
was influential in Their politics were Dreaming, The Tide is
developing punk rock, overtly left and socialist. High, Call Me, etc. are
alternative rock, known for its eclectic
heavy metal, and rock power.
in general.

The icon of
Buddy Miles

Buddy Miles was a drummer of Jimi Hendrix’s band.

Also, he made his own solo music. He is known for the
song of Them Changes and other forms of music in
various bands in the 1960’s, the 1970’s, and beyond.
He was an underrated innovator whose sounds were
potent and greatly appreciated by fans of rock and
other genres of music. His 1970 album of Them
Changes had songs like Heart’s Delight, Dreams, and
Memphis Train. He loved to play the guitar.
 Underrated Singer with tons of Influence
Merry Clayton, to this day,
has inspired so many
musicians in our me of
2023.
One of her great songs on her album of Merry
Clayton was Southern Man. These images of
her during the 1970’s show her performing the
song to the public.
For decades, she has performed her
music globally. She has specifically been
in involved in R&B, soul music, and gospel
music for over five decades. New
Orleans, Louisiana is the city of Merry
Clayton’s birth. She contributed to her
vocals for many artists like the duet with
Mick Jagger in the Rolling Stones song of
Gimmie Shelter. Her parents are Eva B.
Clayton and the Reverend A.G. Williams
Sr. Like many icons, she was raised in the
church involving singing. She worked
with Pearl Bailey, Phil Ochs, Burt
Bacharach, Tom Jones, Carole King, Toni
Amos, Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, etc.
By 1970, she released her self-titled solo
album. By 2021, her solo album Beautiful
Scars was released. Keep Your Eye on the
Sparrow was one of her great singles too.
Her late husband, Curtis Amy, was a jazz
artist. Her son, Kevin Amy has pursued a
music career too. Merry Clayton’s
brother is Little Feat percussionist Sam
Clayton.
Lou Reed, Helen Reddy's I Am Woman, and Neil Diamond had music standing the test of time.
In 1973, Lep Zepplin played to 56,800 people at Tampa Stadium breaking the Beatles Shea
Stadium for the largest record during that time. The Summer Jam at Watkings Glen, NYC has
600,000 seeing The Band, The Allman Brothers, and The Grateful Dead. Carly Simon had the
song of You're So Vain. It was the number-one single in the country by January 1973. Carly Simon
is one of the greatest musicians, songwriters, and memoirist of our time. She wrote children’s
books too. She was born in the Bronx, New York City. Even years ago, I heard rumors of Carly
Simon having some heritage from persons of color. A 2017 episode of PBS show called Finding
Your Roots (with Henry Louis Gates) tested Simon’s DNA. They found that she has 10% African
and 2% Native American DNA, likely via her maternal grandmother (who was Ofelia Oliete, who
was from Cuba being of Pardo heritage or a freed slave descendant). Carly Simon expressed other
songs like Jesse, Mockingbird (with James Taylor), Coming Around Again, and The Right Thing
to Do.

Elvis Presley had a concert in Honolulu, Hawaii in January of 1973. NBC's Midnight Special had
concerts from rock, pop, soul, and R&B acts. The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
modernized their music. Bob Marley and the Wailers, Alice Cooper, Roberta Flack, Doobie
Brothers, and George Harrison (with Give Me Love) had influential music in 1973. Paul
McCarthy, Cher, The Rolling Stones, Ringo Star, Eddie Kendricks' Keep on Truckin', and Todd
Rundgren made music. By 1974, there are many experimental bands and artists like Lou Reed,
Bob Dylan, Kiss, Queen, Frank Kappa, Maria Mulduar, and other artists had their albums. Eric
Clapton had the number-one album by the summer of 1974. The Three Degrees were popular too
being a R&B group from Philadelphia. By 1975, The Average White Band, the Ohio Players, Van
McCocy, the Bee Gees, and Linda Ronstadt had many hits. Bruce Springsteen was on the covers
of Time and Newsweek magazines. Bruce Springsteen was a different type of rock star. He
wanted his working-class roots from New Jersey to be expressed without excessive materialism
and flash. He wanted old-school, topical, and down to Earth music to be expressed to the people.
John Lennon and Elton John performed on stage in January 1975 too. Bob Dylan loved to show
his music too. By the late 1970's, disco dominated the charts. The Rolling Stones had great
influence. Aerosmith had Dream On which is a famous rock ballad. AC/DC had their first
international album of High Voltage. They were from Australia. Hall and Oates, and Wings made
music. Blondie had its debut album in December 1976. It was punk influenced from the New
York City's CBGB's club scene. Punk was full of rebellion. It was anti-establishment,
controversial, and in your face.

Studio 54 was opened in New York City in 1977. Studio 54 showed disco music with men and
women doing drugs, dancing, and other things went on in that club. It was controversial and
filled with musical expressions. Leo Sayer, David Bowie, and other music flourished. American
Bandstand celebrated its 25th anniversary in February 1977. Iggy pop, the punk band the Clash
from London, and ABBA were popular. ABBA was like the Ace of Base of the 1970’s. The Eagles,
Fleetwood Mac, UFO, and Kenny Rogers had hits. Elvis Presley passed away on August 16, 1977.
Elvis Presley’s passing caused mourning nationwide in the States and worldwide. We know how
Elvis passed away, and it is important to remember his life to be better people in our own lives.
Elvis had a great talent. Crystal Gayle, and other people made hits too. By 1978, Saturday Night
Fever was popular.

Remembering Sinead O’Connor

Musician Sinead O'Connor, Irish singer,
and activist, passed away on July 26, 2023,
at the age of 56 years old. She has been
outspoken for decades. Her music has

(1966-2023) been about the complex nature of the

human expression from love to pain. She is
brutally honest about her personal
struggles from being a victim of abuse to
other forms of addiction. Her rendition of
the Prince song Nothing Compares 2 U
was Number One in 1990. Back in 1990, I
was 7 years old. I heard of her back in the
1990's. She ripped a photo of the pope on
Saturday Night Live for protesting sexual
abuse of kids by some priests in 1992, and
temporarily was a priest in a Catholic
group. Before her passing, she converted
to the religion of Islam and wore a Black
Lives Matter hoodie. She loved her
children. Her 2021 memoir is called
Rememberings. She changed her name to
Shuhada' Davitt after her change to the
faith of Islam. I send condolences to her
family and friends.
 Here, Linda Ronstadt
performed the song,
“When Will I Be Loved” on
November 16, 1976, at
Stadthalle Offenbach,
Germany. The song was
wri en by Phil Everly. She has a very extensive legacy in the
world today. In terms of rock and pop
history, Linda Ronstadt exists with a
large foundation. She performed
music among many genres like rock,
country, light opera, Latin music, and
the Great American Songbook. She
“Art is for healing ourselves, and earned 11 Grammy Award, three
everybody needs their own American Music Awards, 2 Academy of
personal art to heal up their Country Music awards, and Emmy
Award, and an ALMA Award. She was
problems.” born in the Southwest at Tucson,
Arizona. Linda Ronstadt is also an
-Linda Ronstadt expert songwriter.

Songwriting is one of her many gifts as an artist, and she can play the guitar too.
Ronstadt released 24 studio albums and 15 compilation or greatest hits albums. Her
song of You’re No Good shown her musical power. She made duets like Somewhere
Out There with James Ingram and Don’t Know Much with Aaron Neville. She is active
to promote social causes too. Her single Blue Bayou is one of her signature hits along
with When Will I Be Loved. She worked with Dolly Parton, Frank Zappa, Billy Eckstine,
Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, Neil Young, and other legends. She has outstanding talent
as a musician, and she published her autobiography called Simple Dreams: A Musical
Memoir (in September 2013). By 2019, there was a documentary based on her
memoirs called, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice. A lot of people don’t know
that she has Mexican, English, Dutch, and German heritage. She was immersed in the
folk rock and country rock movements in California back in the mid 1960’s. By the
1970’s, her career went up exponentially. To this day, people realize her important
role in the development of rock and pop music.
Elton John is a British Hall & Oates was a rock Journey is based in San The Doobie Brothers Genesis was a rock
singer, pianist, and duo that was formed in Francisco, California by was rock band that was band that started in
composer. During the Philadelphia in 1970.s former members of formed in San Jose, 1967 at Charterhouse
1970’s, he had shown a Daryl Hall is the lead Santana, Steve Miller California in 1970. They School, Godalming,
strong work ethic that vocalist mostly, and band, and Frumious had vocal harmonies Surrey. Tony Banks,
influenced the style of John Oates plays Bandersnatch. Neal and diversity. We know Phil Collins, Mike
the music industry. He electric guitar and Schon, Jonathan Cain, Michael McDonald, Rutherford, Peter
worked with lyricist provides backing and other people were Tom Johnson, Patrick Gabriel, and Steve
Bernie Taupin on many vocals. Many of their part of Journey. Steve Simmons, Ed Toth, Hackett were
songs. Elton John has music merges rock and Perry was the lead Marc Quinones, and members of the group.
been involved in blues roll, soul music, and vocalist too. They sold other people being part They existed as
and other genres of R&B. That is why their many albums and had of the group. They sold pioneers of
music too. His music fan base is very diverse. songs like Don’t Stop over 40 million records progressive rock.
included songs like Their songs of She’s Believin’, Just the Same worldwide. They love to Selling England by the
Your Song, Rocket Gone, Alone Too Long, Way, and Too Late. use soft rock, pop, and Pound was their 1973
Man, Can You Feel the Sara Smile, Kiss on My Feeling that Way is one of other forms of music in album. Genesis sold
Love Tonight, and List, and Wait For me their best songs vocally their forms of between 100 million
Candle in the Wind. He are extremely popular and lyrically. expression. and 150 million albums
is part of activism in to this very day. worldwide.
finding the cure for
HIV/AIDS.

MORE ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC HISTORY

The 1973 American musical drama film of Jesus Christ
Superstar represented the religious movements of the 1970’s
trying to appeal to the youth and young adults. The film
(about Jesus Christ and his apostles) was directed by Norman
Jewison based on the 1970 rock opera of the same name
wri en by Tim Rice. The music was composed by Andrew
Lloyd Webber. The image above shows the actor Carl
Anderson singing Heaven on My Mind.
This picture above showed the band of Fleetwood Mac in 1977.
From le to right, here are the band members: Mick
Fleetwood, Chris ne McVie, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and
Lindsey Buckingham. Fleetwood Mac had members from
London, and it was established in 1967. They are known for
many songs spreading across genera ons like Go Your Own
Way, Albatross, etc. Their album of Rumours was highly
popular. Rumours has sold more than 40 million copies
worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history.
 UNDERATED PERFORMANCES BY ICONS OF ROCK AND FUNK

Jim Hendrix is performing the song of Freedom in 1970 at the Atlanta Pop Festival. Jimi Hendrix continued to perform
during the early 1970’s. His music was decades ahead of its with guitar improvisation, lyrics, and a passionate sound
among his musical skills.

Led Zeppelin perform at Chicago Stadium in January 1975, a few weeks before the release of Physical Graf ti. The
group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer
John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are cited as one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal,
although their style drew from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music.

This is a rare concert of the artist Betty Davis. She did provocative lyrics long before Adina Howard, Lil Kim, Prince, and
Madonna. She was at the Le Castellet concert (in 1976). The song she performed at the location was “Steppin’ in Her I.
Miller Shoes.” She was once married to Miles Davis. Betty Davis broke tons of barriers.
Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt was famous. Linda Ronstadt
performed rock, country, light opera, the Great American
Songbook, and Latin music. She is one of the most talented
singers of all time. Queen had its hit of We are the
Champions. Kate Bush, Billy Joel, Van Halen, Yvonne
Elliman, and other artists had their music shown. Boney M
from the Caribbean had their single of Rivers of Babylon. This is the rock band performing
Meatloaf had hits along with A Taste of Honey. Chic made Le many of their hit songs (like
Feeling that Way, on a Saturday
Freak too. In 1979, disco dominated the charts. Also, music Night, Winds of March, etc.) at
from Blondie, Rod Stewart, Electric Light Orchestra, Kenny PBS Soundstage in Chicago’s
Rogers, and Kiss expressed songs. The Sony Walkman was Soldier Field in 1978. They shown
created in 1979. The The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd blues music as rock came from
R&B and the blues technically
and John Belushi made the cover of Dam and Dave's Soul
(along with other genres coming
Man. Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello made music. Fire from The together into one).
Pointer Sisters was popular. It was a cover of Bruce
Springsteen's song Fire. By February 1979, YMCA was released by The Village People to confront
stereotypes and show expression. Sid Vicious (a punk artist) died in February 1979 over a heroin
overdose. Lotta Love was shown by Nicolette Larson. Heart of Glass from Blondie were some of
their most influential songs. Journey, Suzi Quatro, The Cure with its debut album, and Sister
Sledge's We Are Family defined 70s music. Cheap Trick, The B-52s, and other groups showed
their songs. By this time, music was different from the early 70's. By 1979, the new wave music
explosion started. Synthesizers started to group. The Knack and Lep Zeppelin released albums.
Gary Numan, Charlie Daniels, the Slits, and the Police made their music. The Police had Sting
filled with the new wave movement back in October 1979. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,
Pink Floyd, and Prince's I Wanna Be Your Lover broke barriers. Styx, and The Clash explored
many styles. The 1970's ended and the 1980's would start with new music rising like hip hop, the
unjust bashing of disco, the development of BET and MTV, and new superstars going into the
next level like Michael Jackson, Prince, U2, Duran Duran, Luther Vandross, Jody Watley, Miki
Howard, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and other human beings.
Working class values represent Bruce Springsteen (he
has Dutch, Irish, and Italian heritage) and the E Street Band.
Back in the 1970’s, many fans of rock didn’t want an
obsession with commercializa on. They desired an old school
vibe where the music spoke for itself. Bruce Springsteen and
the E Street Band had the New Jersey roots that inspired
them to make very successful music. The heartland rock
focused on rock music with poe c and social conscious lyrics.
Their songs related to stories about every day, working-class
human beings who want to survive in an imperfect American
The image above showed Bruce
society. This is the life of millions of Americans who work day Springsteen and the E Street Band live at
by day for their families, but they are honorable, Hammersmith, Odeon, in London
hardworking, and seek to have a fulfilling life. The group paid performing the song of Backstreets. This
homage to jazz and blues ar sts, because rock and roll is a was in 1975.
rela ve to both jazz and blues. Born to Run in 1975 was one
of the great songs including Born in the USA, Thunder Road,
Glory Days, I’m on Fire, and Nightshi (which was released in
2022). Bruce Springsteen (who earned 20 Grammy Awards, 2
Golden Globes, an Academy Awards, and a Special Tony
Award. In 1999, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of
Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) sold over 150
million records worldwide. If someone wants to know the
heart and the soul of rock and music, Bruce Springsteen and
the E Street Band embodies that soul.
 Disco and Soulful
Sounds
By the 1970's, soulful music and disco were prominent in America. Motown artist Edwin Starr
had the song War which is an anti-war protest song. By the 1970's, political songs were still very
powerfully shown by many artists. Diana Ross in 1970 had her first number single as a solo artist
with the remake of A'int No Mountain High Enough (which was recorded by Marvin Gaye and
Tammi Terrell). From the year 1970 and onward, The Jackson Five had hit after hit. I'll Be There
was their famous song that was their fourth U.S. Number one single in a row. In the UK by
December 1970, Smokey Robinson re-released his 1967 song of The Tears of a Clown. Dawn had
the 1971 song of Knock Three Times. King Floyd's Groove was very popular. Norman Whitfield
and Barrett Strong wrote the song Just My Imagination (which was shown in 1971). That song
was one of the best songs of The Temptations. By April of 1971, Marvin Gaye released What's
Going on, which would be one of his best albums. The album called about life, racism, ecology,
war, and other important issues in urban communities. What's Going On is a socially conscious
anthem to this day. Marvin Gaye was inspired to make this album after the experiences of brother
in the Vietnam War battlefield, the passing of his close friend Tammi Terrell, and his dream of
making an album touching on real subjects of the people.

Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose had the song of Treat Her Like a Lady. Jean Knight had the
single of Mr. Big Stuff. A'int No Sunshine from Bill Withers was a song about romance and
reflections. Isaac Hayes' theme from Shaft won an award. By 1972, Al Green had the classic song
of Let's Stay Together. Many people know of the Dramatics having the single of In The Rain.
Roberta Flack increased her career with the song of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (which
came from a 1957 folk song of the same name). By 1972, the anthem of love called Oh Girl from
The Chi-Lites shook up the world. The group was from Chicago. The soul and gospel group The
Staple Singles had the single called I'll Take You There. Bill Withers had the classic song of Lean
on Me. The August 1972 Wattstax concert at Los Angeles Coliseum was to remember the 1965
Watts rebellion and a celebration of black culture. It was a sold-out concert and was made into
a double album and film. It has The Staple Singers, Albert King, and other people. Luther Ingram
had the song of If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right in August of 1972. Michael
Jackson had the solo hit of Ben. The O'Jays had Back Stabbers song. Leon Huff and Kenny
Gamble from Philadelphia worked with many artists making hits too.

NUMEROUS 1970’S R&B ICONS

Aretha Franklin Bill Withers The Tempta ons Jackson Five

The Emo ons The Three Degrees Kool and the Gang Candi Staton

The Spinners Marvin Gaye The Commodores La Belle

The O’Jays Al Green Cur s Mayfield Natalie Cole

The Isley Brothers Teddy Pendergrass Donny Hathaway Diana Ross

 AN ODE TO DISCO MUSIC

Back in the 1970’s, the group

Gloria Gaynor’s song of I
Will Survive was an
anthem of survival, the
rights of women, and
human resiliency in
general.
The Queen of Disco is Donna
Summer, one of the most
underrated singers in history.
She loved to make music from
songs like I Feel Love, MacArthur
Park, Spring Affair, I am a
Rainbow, Last Dance, etc.
of The Jackson had their hit
song of Blame it on The
Boogie which had funk and
disco elements in it. Michael
Jackson loved disco as disco
is never monolithic.

My parents were alive when disco was invented in America. Disco had its
roots from the late 1960’s by black Americans. It was innovated by many
Italian DJs and other musicians too. Disco is about showing self-expression
lled with inclusion, a percussion sound, and a sense of joyfulness among
its dedicated listeners. Many of the songs found in disco did signify an
escape from the everyday problems of contemporary society. Yet, disco also
had music that took the time to promote the value of romance and love.
Love is a very powerful force in the Universe that is truly sacrosanct. Many
Barry White performed disco
artists like Nile Rodgers, Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson, and other
music too including soul and
leaders of the disco movement ought to have their just respect. By the
R&B. The song of “You're the
1980’s, disco was heavily suppressed by the industry. Yet, it made a huge
First, the Last, My Everything”
comeback since the 1990’s to the present. From dance clubs to homes, disco
is one of his greatest songs
reminds us that we can be serious at times in life along with having a time
detailing his love for a woman
to experience a sense of fun and renewed joy at times also.
in a mature, sincere fashion.

The group of Chic had

The O’Jays shown disco and
R&B songs for years and
decades. Eddie Levert was
one major singer of the
group, whose son, the late
Gerald Levert, was another
legendary icon of R&B
music too.
e song of Car Wash by music decades ahead
the soul and R&B band of its time. Songs like I
The 1977 hit song
Rose Royce was a classic of Want Your Love, Le
of Boogie Nights
the disco era. ey made Freak, and other
from Heatwave is
songs have timeless
disco music constantly. beats and rhythms
the
eir other hits are that outline the
quintessential
disco song with
Wishing on a Star, I Wanna strength of disco
music. horns and the
Get Next to You, etc. ey beat.
were based in Los Angeles,
California.
 The Chi-Lites and Anita Ward made prominent disco music.

The 1970's had legendary artists like Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Curtis Mayfield, the
Temptations (with Papa Was a Rolling Stone), Billy Paul, The Stylistics, The Dramatics, etc.
Stevie Wonder's Superstition song from the 1970's was about Wonder having creative control. By
1973, Talking Book was already a classic, and Stevie Wonder would make some of the best music
in history throughout the 1970's. Stevie Wonder would use keyboards and synthesizers that would
influence the sounds of the 1980's with Zapp, etc. Killing Me Softly With His Song from Roberta
Flack was her number 1 single with powerful lyrics and sounds. To Catch A Fire was an album
done by Bob Marley and the Wailers which helped to expand reggae music internationally. By
the time of 1973, we see groups and artists like War, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye (with his song of
Let's Get It On), The Isley Brothers (with the song of Who's That Lady), Glady Knights and the
Pips (with the song of Midnight Train to Georgia), Eddie Kendricks' Keep on Truckin', etc. Also,
by this time the disco musical genre became modernized. Roots from disco came from the 1960's
from soul/R&B music and other influences like from other producers. Dancing songs like
Dancing Machine from the Jackson Five (from April 1974) existed too. The Stylistics had the song
of You Make Me Feel Brand New, and the song of Hollywood Swinging. Tell Me Something
Good was made by Rufus in 1974. The Three Degrees had their hit of Sound of Philadelphia.
The Three Degrees made music since the early 1960's. Carl Douglas's Kung Fu Fighting in
November 1974 caused an explosion of disco culture. Carl Douglas is from Kingston, Jamaica.
Love Rollercoaster was released by Ohio Players in 1975. Lady Marmalade was a song made by
Labelle filled with innuendo in French. By this time, disco and funk exploded with artists like
Earth, Wind, and Fire with Shining Star. Many people in KC and the Sunshine Band didn't like
to be called a disco group. They wanted to be known in R&B, but Get Down Tonight had disco
sounds. The original Fight the Power was released by Isley Brothers in 1975. Songs from War,
Dian Ross, Hot Chocolate, and Donna Summer existed. In 1976, Donna Summer was called the
Queen of Disco. Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte inspired many new sounds found in disco
music too. Boogie Fever was released by The Sylvers. The Manhattans' Kiss and Say Goodbye,
George Benson, Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, Lou Rawls, The Spinners' The
Rubberband Man, and other artists shined. Stevie Wonder released the Songs in the Key of Life
by December 1976. It was another classic with hits like I Wish and Sir Duke. Rose Royce with
Car Wash was another classic song. Music from Thelma Houston (with Don't Leave Me This
Way), Marvin Gaye's Got to Give It Up, and Donna Summer's I Feel Love defined a lot of how
music is shown today. Donna Summer is one of the greatest vocalists in history by singing disco,
R&B, pop, country, rock, gospel, and other genres of music. Donna Summer was the first artist
to have three consecutive double albums reach No. 1 on Billboard's album chart: Live and More,
Bad Girls, and On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II. Donna Summer became a Christian.
She said these words:

"...I don't really try to predict what can and will happen with things. Sometimes you
think something's gonna be a huge success, and it isn't. And sometimes you pay no
attention to something whatsoever, and God just makes it into everything..."
The Emotions' Best of My Love is a huge song. The Emotions are from Chicago. The song was co-
written and produced by fellow Chicagoan and Earth, Wind, and Fire founder Maurice White.
Brothers Johnson, Heatwave, Commodores, and the music from the movie Saturday Night Fever
made disco more powerful. By 1978, The Bees Grees had Night Fever and Stayin' Alive. The O'Jays
in 1978 had the classic song of Used to Be My Girl. Donna Summer had MacArthur Park. Le
 Freak from Chic was decades ahead of its time. It was released in December 1978. Nile Rodgers
and Bernard Edwards along with people were part of the supergroup of Chic. By 1979, R&B and
disco were changing. YMCA was shown by The Village People in February 1979 (in confronting
stereotypes and seeking more freedom in human expression). I will Survive was shown by singer
Gloria Gaynor. Disco singer Amii Stewart's Knock on Wood was shown in 1979. Shake Your
Groove Thing was shown by Peaches and Herb. Ring My Bell was released by Anita Ward.

Rapper's Delight from Sugarhill Gang was shown by September 1979. Michael Jackson released
Off the Wall in 1979. It was very influential in music as it was probably his best soulful album.
Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough was a classic. Quincy Jones worked with Michael Jackson on
the album. Donna Summer worked with Barbara Streisand on the song No More Tears. Prince
had the song of I Wanna Be Your Lover by the late 1970’s. Disco had a backlash from music
snobbish people and outright racists. The haters of disco viewed disco as a distraction. Yet, disco
was expressed by many people, and many real messages are found in disco like I will Survive by
Gloria Gaynor. Also, racism (including anti-LBGTQ+ sentiments) was definitely a motivation
for much of the hate of disco too. In Chicago, racists and extremists blew up disco and R&B
records in a stadium (as part of the hate disco movement). This caused disco to be heavily
suppressed in the 1980's except in rare situations. Yet, contemporary R&B, disco, and soul music
persist to this day in 2023.

The 1970’s Blaxploitation Films

During the 1970’s, lms about urban life, the drug trade, drug addiction, freedom ghting, and exposing racism were very
common. Films from Black Belt Jones to Brother John outlined the diversity of the black experience. These movies in
many cases were controversial and debated to this day. Yet, its impact on black lm culture and lm culture in general is
hugely influential. These movies inspired our minds, caused us to ask poignant questions, and made us realize that our
dreams and aspirations are just as valid as anyone else’s aspirations.

Foxy Brown (1974) Shaft (1971) Coffy (1973)

Car Wash (1976) Superfly (1972) Cleopatra Jones (1973)

The Mack (1973) Truck Turner (1974) The Spook Who Sat by The Door
(1973)
 Numerous Events of the 1970’s
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day is
celebrated for the first time in world
history. It was a day that human beings
globally are out in the world to support
environmental justice. It was founded
by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson.
Earth Day celebrations continue to this
very day.
By 1973, the Organizaiton of
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
placed an embargo on oil exports to
countries (including the United States
of America) supporting Israel in the
1973 Yom Kippur War. This act
resulted in gas shortages throughout
Europe and America. Long lines of
people in America getting oil existed as
well.
On January 20, 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as President. He was a very
important President whose humanitarian work was very transformational in the globe.
Four stents were killed at Kent State
University in Ohio during a protest
Nixon’s illegal. invasion of Cambodia.
The deaths occurred when National
Guard troops opened fire on
protesters.
In 1974, Muhammad Ali defeated
George Foreman in the historic boxing
match at Kinshasa, Zaire in the
Motherland of Africa. Muhammad Ali
recaptured his heavyweight boxing title
after being banned from boxing after
legitimately opposing the Vietnam War.
That match solidified Muhammad Ali as
the greatest heavyweight boxer of all
time.
By 1971, young people are allowed to
register to vote via the passage of the
26th Amendment (the voting age was
reduced to 18 from 21 years old). The
voting age in the UK was lowered to 18
years old too.
By 1979, the cable television channel
called ESPN (Entertainment and
Sports Network) started with studio
facilities in Bristol, Connecticut. Cable
was just born, and ESPN would inspire
the creation of other sports channels
internationally.
 Funk
Funk had roots in the 1960's, but funk music was modernized during the 1970's. It was created by
black Americans in the mid-1960's being a cousin of soul music. Funk has a rhythmic, danceable
new style filled with melody and chord progressions. It has a strong, rhythmic groove of a bassline
by an electric bassist and a drum part by a percussionist, often at a slower tempo than other
popular music. Funk heavily uses instruments in its performances. Funk uses the same richly-
colored extended chords found in bebop jazz, such as minor chords with added sevenths and
elevenths, or dominant seventh chords with altered ninths and thirteenths. The Godfather of
funk music was James Brown. He made a signature groove that emphasized the downbeat—with
a heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure ("The One"), and the application of swung
16th notes and syncopation on all basslines, drum patterns, and guitar riffs—and rock and
psychedelia-influenced musicians Sly and the Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix, fostering
improvisation in funk. Other musical groups, including Kool and the Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire,
Chic, B.T. Express, Loose Ends, Shalamar, The S.O.S. Band, Slave, The Whispers, Cameo, and
the Bar-Kays began to adopt and develop Brown's innovations during the 1970s and adding R&B
essences to the genre from the early 1970s, while others like Parliament-Funkadelic and Ohio
Players followed Hendrix's path.

Funk has evolved over the years and decades too. There is avant-funk, boogie (a hybrid of
electronic music and funk), funk metal, G-funk (that is a mixture of hip hop and funk), timba (a
form of funky Cuban dance music), and funk jam. Funk influenced the development of
Washington D.C.'s go-go music. Funk samples and breakbeats are heavily used in hip-hop and
electronic dance music. Funk in African American communities also related to the hard work
and effort musicians made to create an outstanding performance. In early jam sessions, musicians
would encourage one another to "get down" by telling one another, "Now, put some stank on it!"
At least as early as 1907, jazz songs carried titles such as Funky. The first example is an unrecorded
number by Buddy Bolden. As late as the 1950s and early 1960s, when "funk" and "funky" were
used increasingly in the context of jazz music, the terms still were considered indelicate and
inappropriate for use in polite company. According to one source, New Orleans-born drummer
Earl Palmer "was the first to use the word 'funky' to explain to other musicians that their music
should be made more syncopated and danceable." The style later evolved into a rather hard-
driving, insistent rhythm, implying a more carnal quality. This early form of music set the pattern
for later musicians. The music was identified as slow, sexy, loose, riff-oriented, and danceable.

Funk music is heavily related to dance music. This is similar to soul music. There is a strong
rhythmic style in funk. Funk's other cousin is disco. Yet, funk has a central dance beat that's
slower and more syncopated than disco. Funk music uses the sequences of eighth notes. A great
deal of funk is rhythmically based on a two-celled onbeat/offbeat structure, which originated in
sub-Saharan African music traditions. New Orleans appropriated the bifurcated structure from
the Afro-Cuban mambo and conga in the late 1940s and made it its own. New Orleans funk, as
it was called, gained international acclaim largely because James Brown's rhythm section used it
to great effect. There is no funk music without the bass, groove, and guitar riffs at times. Basslines
are common in funk. That is why there is funky bassline and percussive slapping, and other effects
in funk music. This funk music has been shown by Bernard Edward, Robert Bell, Mark Adams,
Johnny Flippin, and Bootsy Collins including Rocco Prestia (from Tower of Power).

Funk artists include James Jamerson and Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone. Funk
uses drums like the I'll Take You There sounds shown by The Staple Singers. Electric guitars are
integral parts of funk. A range of keyboard instruments
are used in funk. The acoustic piano is used in funk,
including in "September" by Earth Wind & Fire and
"Will It Go Round in Circles" by Billy Preston. The
electric piano is used on songs such as Herbie Hancock's
"Chameleon" (a Fender Rhodes) and "Mercy, Mercy,
Mercy" by Joe Zawinul (a Wurlitzer). The clavinet is
used for its percussive tone, and it can be heard in songs
such as Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and "Higher The funk, rock, and soul band of War is
Ground" and Bill Withers' "Use Me". The Hammond B- one of the most influential bands of the
3 organ is used in funk, in songs done by The Meters and 1970’s and beyond. The song of The
"Love the One You're With" (with Aretha Franklin World is a Ghetto showed important
singing and Billy Preston on keyboards). Bernie social and political points about how the
Worrell's range of keyboards from his recordings with world is. Many members of the group
are Leroy Jordan, James Zota Baker,
Parliament Funkadelic demonstrates the wide range of
Marcos Reyes, etc.
keyboards used in funk. Funk can talk about
spirituality, black life, love, romance, social issues, dance, sex, having fun in general, and other
topics.

The Funkadelic song "One Nation Under A Groove" (1978) is about the challenges that black
people overcame during the 1960s civil rights movement, and it includes an exhortation for black
people in the 1970s to capitalize on the new "social and political opportunities" that had become
available in the 1970s. The Isley Brothers' song "Fight the Power" (1975) has a political message.
Parliament's song "Chocolate City" (1975) metaphorically refers to Washington D.C. and other
US cities that have a mainly Black population, and it draws attention to the potential power that
Black voters wield and suggests that a Black President be considered in the future. The political
themes of funk songs and the aiming of the messages to a Black audience echoed the new image
of black people that was created in Blaxploitation films, which depicted "African American men
and women standing their ground and fighting for what was right." Both funk and Blaxploitation
films addressed issues faced by Blacks and told stories from a Black perspective. Another link
between 1970s funk and Blaxploitation films is that many of these films used funk soundtracks
(e.g., Curtis Mayfield for Superfly; James Brown and Fred Wesley for Black Caesar and War for
Youngblood).

James Brown credited Little Richard's 1950s R&B road band, The Upsetters from New Orleans,
as "the first to put the funk into the rhythm" of rock and roll. Following his temporary exit from
secular music to become an evangelist in 1957, some of Little Richard's band members joined
Brown and the Famous Flames, beginning a long string of hits for them in 1958. By the mid-1960s,
James Brown had developed his signature groove that emphasized the downbeat—with heavy
emphasis on the first beat of every measure to etch his distinctive sound, rather than the backbeat
that typified African American music. This one-three beat launched the shift in Brown's
signature music style, starting with his 1964 hit single, "Out of Sight" and his 1965 hits, "Papa's
Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)". By the late 1960's and early 1970's, Funky
Broadway was a song with funk influences along with songs from West Coast, Charles Wright
and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Oakland's Tower of Power group was created in 1968.
 We know about how in 1970, Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"
reached #1 on the charts, as did "Family Affair" in 1971. Notably, these afforded the group and
the genre crossover success and greater recognition, yet such success escaped comparatively
talented and moderately popular funk band peers. The Meters defined funk in New Orleans.
Even the Isley Brothers had the song It's Your Thing with funk influences. Jimi Hendrix and The
Temptations started to use funky songs.

One of the funkiest songs of all me was Tell Me Something Good by Rufus. The group of Rufus here is
performing for Soul Train in 1974. Rufus featured the singer Chaka Khan shown in the middle of the
image too. Chaka Khan is not only a gorgeous woman, but she was a former Black Panther, completely
honest, and inspired future entertainers in the 21 st century too.

Parliament Funkadelic is one of the most eclec c, talented funk groups in the world. They promoted
funk to the fullest touring the world and having tons of fans worldwide too. They used instruments,
costumes, sounds, and other forms of style that has carried diverse music into our genera on.
 Stevie Wonder:
The Genius and Icon of Music

Stevie Wonder was

This image showed Stevie always in Soul Train
Wonder performing in 1973. constantly. Soul Train was
like the Black Mecca of
music and culture
spanning decades.

He is a man who is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. He is the greatest songwriter in history period. There is no other artist
like him. He is Brother Stevie Wonder, and he is now 73 years old. Stevie Wonder made his destiny as part of showing
excellent music that inspires human beings. He has been a pioneer of blues, gospel, funk, blues pop, R&B, jazz, and
other genres of music. With the use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments, he helped to de ne the
music of his generation. He was born in the Midwest in Saginaw, Michigan too. He has been blind since his childhood.
Later, Wonder moved to Detroit, Michigan when he was four years old. He sang as a child in a choir at the Whitestone
Baptist Church. He signed to Motown as a kid in 1961, and then everything changed forever. He can play the piano,
harmonica, and drums. His rst album was The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie in 1962. He enrolled in the Michigan School
for the Blind in Lansing, Michigan. Stevie Wonder as a child had many hits like Contract on Love, Fingertips, and
Uptight. He made a cover of Bob Dylan's song of Blowin' in the Wind. From 1968 to 1970, he made many great songs
like I Was Made to Love Her, For Once in My Life, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours. My Cherie Amour is one
of the most romantic songs of all time showing a man showing romantic love for a woman in a sweet fashion. Stevie
Wonder had his appearance at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival too. During the 1970's, he made classic album after
classic album.

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder were lifelong friends.

Where I'm Coming From was his 1971 album. Music of My Mind was out in 1972. Talking Book had the hit of
Superstition. The songs of You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Higher Ground, Living for the City, and I Wish are
soundtracks of the lives of tons of people. The album of Songs in the Key of Life is one of the greatest albums in
history. He was the rst American artist to debut straight at No. 1 in the Billboard charts, where it stood for 14 non-
consecutive weeks. By the 1990's, his Happy Birthday song helped to establish Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday as a
national holiday. Stevie Wonder fought against apartheid and for social justice for decades. He worked with Chaka
Khan on the cover of Prince's I Feel for You alongside Melle Mel. He was in the We Are the World song to ght for
charity in Africa. By 1999, Rutgers University presented Stevie Wonder with an honorary doctorate degree in ne arts.
So What the Fuss was a song in the 21st century. Stevie Wonder loves his wife and his children. In history, there was
Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, and in our generation, we have Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder is their
equal musically and legacy-wise. He has been singing in churches for decades, and he is vegan.
There were tons of women in funk music too like Mother's Finest. It was a group made up of
Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock back then. There are a lot of women involved in funk music
like Chaka Khan, Labelle, Brides of
Funkenstein, Klymaxx, Mother's Finest,
Lyn Collins, Betty Davis, and Teena Marie.
As cultural critic Cheryl Keyes explains in
her essay "She Was Too Black for Rock and
Too Hard for Soul: (Re)discovering the
Musical Career of Betty Mabry Davis,"
James Brown during the The unsung funk band
1970’s toured the world of Parlet featured
most of the scholarship around funk has
and had many funk hits Malia Franklin, focused on the cultural work of men. She
like Get Up, Super Bad, Jeanette Washington, states that "Betty Davis is an artist whose
Soul Power, Papa Don’t and Debbie Wright. name has gone unheralded as a pioneer in
Take No Mess, The These women were an the annals of funk and rock. Most writing
Payback, etc. offshoot of P-Funk. on these musical genres has traditionally
placed male artists like Jimi Hendrix,
George Clinton (of Parliament-Funkadelic), and bassist Larry Graham as trendsetters in the
shaping of a rock music sensibility."

In The Feminist Funk Power of Betty Davis and Renée Stout, Nikki A. Greene notes that Davis'
provocative and controversial style helped her rise to popularity in the 1970s as she focused on
sexually motivated, self-empowered subject matter. Furthermore, this affected the young artist's
ability to draw large audiences and commercial success. Greene also notes that Davis was never
made an official spokesperson or champion for the civil rights and feminist movements of the
time, although more recently[when] her work has become a symbol of sexual liberation for
women of color. Davis' song "If I'm In Luck I Just Might Get Picked Up", on her self-titled debut
album, sparked controversy and was banned by the Detroit NAACP. Maureen Mahan, a
musicologist and anthropologist, examines Davis' impact on the music industry and the
American public in her article "They Say She's Different: Race, Gender, Genre, and the Liberated
Black Femininity of Betty Davis."

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin continued her legacy into the 1970’s. These
images above showed Aretha Franklin performing and relaxing at the 1971
Montreux Jazz Festival at Montreux, Switzerland.
 Damita Jo Freeman is one of
.
the greatest Soul Train dancers
of all time. Her gifts inspire all
future men and women dancers
of the Soul Train show like Robi
Reed, Cheryl Song, Rosie
Perez, Evette Moss, Thelma,
Bobcat, Nieci, Reggie, Louie,
Sharon, etc.
Here in 1973, Michael
Jackson and the Jackson Five
performed at Soul Train. The
Jackson Five did the robot
and other crea ve dances.
The Jackson family, Diana
Ross, and Motown inspired
the Jackson Five to go into
the next level.
Shalamar changed the game in
Soul Train and music in
general. Howard Hewett, Jody
Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel
were expert musicians who
shined their lights in Soul
Rain and beyond by the late
1970’s.
Gladys Knights and the Pips always performed in Cindy Birdsong, Jean
Soul Train with songs like Neither One of Us and Terrell, and Mary Wilson
other classic records. To this very day, Gladys sang Stoned Love on Soul
Train before too. That music
Knights and the Pips are universally respected as was lled with vivid power.
legends of musical expression.
Soul Train remains one of the greatest forms of cultural
and musical expression in human history. SOUL! was a
show before Soul Train that deserves its credit in showing
black music and culture too. Don Cornelius promoted
Soul Train to a worldwide audience in showing some of
the greatest musicians and artists of the later half of the
20th century including the early part of the 21st century. Dancing and human
Dancers, singers, performers, puzzles, the line dance, and camaraderie are all part
other situations make Soul Train unique and a staple of of Soul Train culture.
excitement for black people and people of every color. The people moving
When I was a child and teenager during the 1980’s and around reduced stress
the 1990’s, I watched Soul Train on the weekends. and released the
Today, the Soul Train Music Awards showcase the best endorphins to make
in showing what real soul music is all about. You can’t human beings express
talk about the music of the 1970’s without mentioning joy plus happiness.
Soul Train indeed.
Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Rose Royce
performed on Soul Train constantly during the
1970’s and beyond.
Donna Summer was The book of “Soul Train: The Music
here joking with Don Dance, and Style of Genera on” was
Cornelius. Donna published in 2013. Its author is
Summer was a great
Questlove, drummer of the hip hop
vocalist who became
iconic group of The Roots. In 2010,
a born-again
Christian before her there was the documentary in VH1
passing. called Soul Train: The Hippest Trip
America that I saw before too.
 P-Funk (on the far left) and Joyce Kennedy (of Mother’s Finest on the far right) definitely influenced
the style of Janelle Monae’s music.

Laina Dawes, the author of What Are You Doing Here: A Black Woman's Life and Liberation in
Heavy Metal, believes respectability politics is the reason artists like Davis do not get the same
recognition as their men counterparts: "I blame what I call respectability politics as part of the
reason the funk-rock some of the women from the '70s aren't better known. Despite the
importance of their music and presence, many of the funk-rock females represented the
aggressive behavior and sexuality that many people were not comfortable with." Janelle Monae
(born in 1985) helped to start a new generation of women funk artists filled with themes of Afro-
futuristic concepts, women's rights, identity, and just plain expression of creativity. Her mentor
was Prince. She was inspired by many funk artists like Funkadelic, Betty Davis, and others like
Lauryn Hill. In fact, Janelle Monae's 2013 album of The Electric Lady was influenced by Jimi
Hendrix's Electric Ladyland. Jimi Hendrix was inspired by funk artists Devon Wilson and Betty
Davis. The 1970s were the era of the highest mainstream visibility for funk music. In addition to
Parliament Funkadelic, artists like Sly and the Family Stone, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Bootsy's
Rubber Band, the Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, Con Funk Shun, Kool and the Gang, the Bar-
Kays, Commodores, Roy Ayers, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder, among others, were
successful in getting radio play. Disco music owed a great deal to funk. Many early disco songs
and performers came directly from funk-oriented backgrounds. Some disco music hits, such as
all of Barry White's hits, "Kung Fu Fighting" by Biddu and Carl Douglas, Donna Summer's "Love
To Love You Baby", Diana Ross' "Love Hangover", KC and the Sunshine Band's "I'm Your Boogie
Man", "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan (also known as the Queen of Funk), and Chic's "Le
Freak" conspicuously include riffs and rhythms derived from funk. In 1976, Rose Royce scored a
number-one hit with a purely dance-funk record, "Car Wash.” Even with the arrival of disco, funk
became increasingly popular well into the early 1980s. Jazz funk was developed by many artists
like Miles Davis with his On the Corner album of 1972. Funk will continue to grow in the 1980's
to the presence of innovative artists like Prince, Living Colour, Brand New Heavies, Brooklyn
Funk Essentials, Me'shell Ndegeocello, etc.
Rest in Power The music video of Is This Love is
from Bob Marley and The Wailers
from their 1978 album of Kaya.
Brother Bob
Marley

The two images above showed Bob Marley performing

the song of Jammin’ with great women backup singers
at The Rainbow on June 4, 1977.

It is important to celebrate the life of the late, great Bob Marley. He helped to grow and innovate
reggae music forever. His universal message of love and human togetherness has inspired the
world positively. Also, he appreciated his black American fans, and he wanted more black
Americans to listen and appreciate the glories of Jamaican music too. He was a songwriter, singer,
and he could play multiple instruments. As a popular culture icon, his music wasn't just about love.
It relates to social and political messages of Pan-African unity, growing spirituality, standing up
against government corruption, and free one's mind from mental slavery. In 1976, he survived an
assassination attempt. Born in Jamaica, he experienced the school of hard knocks. Yet, he never
wavered in his commitment to music excellence and human liberation.

Before having a solo career, Bob Marley worked with The Wailers (with Peter Tosh and Bunny
Wailer). Their songs of One Love rose their power. Bob Marley made many albums in the 1970's. We
know of his songs like One Love, No Woman, No Cry, Redemption Song, etc. His album Exodus was
one of the greatest albums in history. He used elements of blues, soul, and British rock in his
discography as well. Bob Marley loved his children, and he loved the art of music. He celebrated the
independence of Zimbabwe, and Bob Marley converted to Orthodox Christianity just before his
passing in 1981. Marley loved soccer, and he worked hard in expanding reggae's popularity globally.
Marley wanted humans of every color to be free. He was a legend.
 Remembering Tony Benne
(August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023)

Tony Bennett passed away at the age of 96 years old

on July 21, 2023. De ning a man’s life is about seeing
how a man nished his longevity from start to
nish. Tony Bennett nished his life lled with a
powerful legacy of establishing contributions to
the world in positive ways. He had a music career
lasting over seven decades. For decades, he
The image above show Tony
appealed to the younger and older generations. He
Bennett and his wife Susan
was born in Queens, New York with a strong
Crow. They have been married
Italian American family. He su ered the Great since 2007.
Depression disagreeing with the policies of
Herbert Hoover causing him to be a lifelong
He respected the young artists like Lady Gaga with
Democrat. When he was growing up, he listened to
their duet album of Cheek to Cheek made in 2014.
Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and
He performed worldwide until August 5, 2021, at
other legends of entertainment and musical
Radio City Music Hall. He earnestly supported
expression. Bennett was gi ed to study painting
humanitarianism, which is why he marched with Dr.
and music before 1940. During WWII, he fought in
Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma in 1965. Tony
the Battle of the Bulge as part of the 255th Infantry
Bennett lived a long life, because he didn't live a life
Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division (earning
lled with stress and worry. He took his time to
him a Bronze Star Medal). He made popular music
create art and loved his audience. From doing pop,
like with songs of I Le My Heart in San Francisco
show tunes, swing, jazz, big band, and other genres
and Rags to Riches.
of music, Tony Bennett loved sonic artistry. Life is a
B.B. King and Tony blessing, and youth won't last forever. erefore, we
Benne always must do our parts to not only help ourselves but help
respected jazz and blues other people while we're here. Tony Bennett
music. Both human advanced that living ethos fully.
beings were influen al
ar sts indeed.

I send condolences to his family and friends.

Never forget that Sylvia Robinson is the Godmother of Hip Hop music (who is
the woman on the far right. Without the Sister Sylvia Robinson, there is no
modern hip-hop internationally as we know it).

Hip Hop at Its Start

Hip hop exists in many events in the world. First, the world had the Civil Rights Movement and
by the early 1970's, deindustrialization and poverty were widespread in New York City.
Manufacturing jobs were being increasingly replaced with FIRE jobs. The oppressed were
desperate for survival. Music is an instrument where
people can feel joy and it’s a means to cope with the
struggles of everyday life. That is why hip-hop was
born. It was born by black people who desired human
expression, creativity, and their humanity to be
The man on the left is Coke La Rock, who is
honored. In recent months, there have been huge the rst M.C. in hip hop history. The woman
debates on the origin of hip hop and its contents. The on the right is Sha Rock who is the rst
truth is that modern-day hip hop was created on woman M.C. in hip hop history. We must
know the pioneers in order to fully
August 11, 1973, in the Bronx, NYC by Kool Herc (at understand hip hop culture.
1520 Sedgwick Avenue). So, Kool Herc was one
founding father of hip hop. Was he the only founding father? No. Were all elements from hip
hop created in 1973 and no elements came before 1973? No. Many elements of hip hop like
rapping, dancing, DJs, graffiti, partying, sampling, etc. existed long before 1973. There is no hip
hop without funk music, disco, jazz, spoken word, and the blues. During ancient times, West
African griots showed lyrics and songs to outline their own stories. The power of the African
drum influenced modern music completely, including hip-hop. The banjo came from African
influences too. Rapping is one aspect of hip-hop. Many scholars say that blues music, spirituals,
etc. were influenced by West African musical traditions. The call-and-response style, which is
common in jazz, gospel, and blues, came from West Africa. Blues musician and historian Elijah
Wald said that rapping existed as early as the 1920's. We know about the Jubalaires rapping in a
song called the Preacher and the Bear in the 1930's and the 1940's. The Beale Street Sheiks in 1927
had rapping. Jazz poetry was very common in America back then. By the 1960's, we had
Muhammad Ali with his rhymes about his boxing opponents and Pigmeat Markahm's Here
Comes the Judge song in 1968.

Hip Hop was created by an older generation. The Generations of the Boomers and older
Generation X created hip hop as well know it.

By the 1960's and 1970's, Gil Scott Heron, the Watts Prophets, James Brown, the Last Poets, and
other groups did spoken word songs, rapping, and creative sounds that influenced the
development of modern-day hip hop. Kool Herc in 1984 said that he couldn't play reggae in the
Bronx and the inspiration for rap was James Brown including the album Hustlers' Convention.
Disco King Mario (who was a member of the Black Spades) was one of the godfathers of modern
hip hop. He was born in Edenton, North Carolina. Later, he moved to Bronxdale, NY to escape
racial oppression from the South. By 1971, Disco King Mario was a prominent DJ in the Bronx.
He helped Afrika Bambaataa (I don't agree with Afrika on everything that he did to be clear) to
have popularity by loaning him equipment. Mobile Djs existed in New York City, and
Grandmaster Flowers and the Smith Brothers in the early 1970's did Djing too. King Charles,
Grandmaster Flowers, Pete DJ Jones, and Pete DJ did Djing with hip hop elements since the late
1960's too. Later, the Bronx style and the Brooklyn, Queens style started to become one. Then,
modern-day hip hop as we know it was born. It is important to note that African American and
Afro-Caribbean cultures (with toasting and other musical themes. Many Afro-Caribbeans admit
that they were also influenced by black American music) played a huge role in hip hop's
development. Later, Latino Americans contributed to hip-hop too. Many Latino human beings
are our cousins (many of my cousins have black and Latino heritage) and even brothers and sisters
to us black people (i.e. Afro-Latinos are black people), and we honor the Latino contributions to
hip hop. DJs like Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash (who was taught to mix
turntables by DJ John Brown), and Jazzy Jay refined and developed the use of breakbeats, cutting,
and scratching on the turntables. Smokey were b-boys back in 1972. So, hip hop was 50/50
invented by African Americans and Afro-Caribbean human beings. The contributions of black
Americans and black Caribbeans should be honored and respected 100 percent period. Also,
black people are the first humans on Earth, and us (as black people) are beautiful and
amazing.

Contemporary Pop
The Contemporary pop music of the 1970's was diverse and prominent in society. The Bee
Gees scored the most number hits or 9 songs and had the longest cumulative run atop the
Billboard Hot 100 chart (in 27 weeks) during the 1970's. Rod Stewart and Elton John did
rock and pop songs throughout the 1970's and beyond. Back in the early 1970's, sentimental
songs dominated the pop world like The Jackson Five's I Want You Back and The Beatles
Let It Be. ABC from The Jackson 5 dominated everywhere. We know about the Venus song
from Shocking Blue and Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head done by B.J. Thomas. Diana
Ross's solo career took off by this time too. Carly Simon with You're so Vain was a song
about romance. Bad Bad Leroy Brown was a song by Jim Croce. Top of the World was a
song by The Carpenters who were known for showing soft rock ballads. Al Wilson's Show
and Tell was one of his most vocally powerful records in 1974. By the mid 1970's, disco
dominated music along with other genres with songs like
Shining Star by Earth, Wind, and Fire, etc. David Bowe
did experimental music with the song Fame. He was from
the United Kingdom and was serious about the display of
music, about symbolism in his music, and he married the
famous model and activist Iman. The end of the 1970s saw The lovely Pointer Sisters was based in
contemporary music seeing the rise of new solo artists like Oakland, California. Ruth, Anita, and
Michael Jackson, Prince, etc. By 1977, Barbara Streisand Bonnie Pointer expressed diverse
genres like R&B, pop, jazz, electronic
had the song Love Theme From a Star is Born (Evergreen). music, bebop, blues, soul, funk,
Pop icons like ABBA and others were on the scene. dance, country, and rock. Incredible
Johnny Mathis, Denice Williams, Olivia Newton-John, talent represents their souls. Yes, We
Robert Holmes, M, Herb Alpert, and other people had Can Can, Fairytale, Fire, Everybody is
a Star, and other songs represent their
tons of music shown. Donna Summer was a pop icon, a classic repertoire.
disco icon, and a musical icon in genre. By the end of
1979, the Commodores had the single of Still. The Commodores did R&B music, soul, and
pop music. With the end of the 1970’s decade, we saw music of a new decade filled with
music superstars, a new President, and a new era of music that would shape modern day
music of our time on July 8, 2023 (on this Saturday). The 1970’s taught us that our dreams
don’t have to be shifted into non-existence. Our dreams have the right to be expressed
succinctly and grow high into the sky with flair including creativity.

By Timothy
 SOME OF THE INFLUENTIAL 1970’S TELEVISION SHOWS
Good Times (1974-1979) was
a groundbreaking historic
show featuring the lives of a
Black American mother and a
father raising children in a
low-income Chicago location
starring Esther Rolle, James
Amos, Ja’Net DuBois, and
other human beings.
Three’s Company (1977-
1984) prove that men can
have progressive women as
platonic friends in a home.
The show is about three single
roommates nding
themselves socially in a
changing post war American
world.
M*A*S*H (1972-1983) was
one of the most popular TV
shows in history. It described
brutality, diverse debates, and
human connections during
war. The show was based on
the Korean War, but it started
during the Vietnam War. The
cast outlined clarity on
authentic subject matters.
The sitcom of Sanford and Son
(1972-1977) details the life of a
father and a son running a
junkyard business in Los
Angeles. Both characters
handle debts, deal with
neighbors including relatives,
and have massive humor
outlined that audiences globally
love.
Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983)
detailed the life of two close
friends starring Penny Marshall
and Cindy Williams. The show is
focused originally in late 1950’s
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later
to mid-1960’s Burbank,
California. The show has a great
catchy theme song, unique
adventures, and great
chemistry among the entire
cast of men and women.
Barney Miller (1975-1982) was
one of the interesting shows of
the 1970’s. The show is about
an NYPD station on East 6th
Street in Greenwich Village.
Detective work is
commonplace among actors
and actress in the TV show too.
Hal Linden, Max Gail, Ron
Glass, and other people starred
in Barney Miller.
Action and humor were part of
the show of Happy Days (1974-
1984). The show focused on old
school 1950’s and early 1960’s
Midwestern America starring
Ron Howard, Richie
Cunningham, and Henry Winkler.
The show deals with high school
culture and other themes.
The controversial show of All in
the Family (1971-1979) didn’t
shy away from addressing the
evil of bigotry. It showed Archie
Bunker’s (played by Carroll
O’Connor) character, lled with
bigotry, for the audience to
witness how futile and immoral it
is. It shined a light on so many
political and social issues (from
religion to women’s liberation) in
an honest fashion.
Relevant issues of psychology
and other topics were shown on
The Bob Newhart Show (1972-
1978). Bob Newhart starred on
the show as a psychologist who
helps a wide diverse population
in Chicago. Suzanne Pleshette,
Peter Bonerz, Bill Daily, and
Marcia Wallace star in The Bob
Newhart Show.
Race, class, culture, and other
topics were found in the historic
sitcom of The Jeffersons (1975-
1985). The show was one of the
longest running sitcoms in
history with legends like Isabel
Sanford, Sherman Hemsley,
Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, etc.
outlining politically incorrect
commentaries on real life.
What’s Happening!! (1976-1979)
described young black life in
Southern California (at Watts of
Los Angeles). It was based on
the lm of Cooley High. Ernest
Thomas, Haywood Nelson,
Danielle Spencer, Shirley
Hemphill, etc. acted in the show
to give realistic, humorous
stories about life in Black
America.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
(1970-1977) starred Mary Tyler
Moore being part of the second
wave feminist era where her
character is neither married nor
dependent on a man. It showed
complex stories lines relating to
Mary Tyler Moore’s character of
an associate producer of a news
show in Minneapolis. Ed Aner
plays Mary’s boss.

Diana Ross loves all her
children: Rhonda, Tracee,
Chudney, Ross, and
Evan.
Sister Diana Ross is 79 years old. For over
6 decades now, she has been an icon of
music and performing. She was a singer of
the Supremes, had an amazing solo career,
and is a great actress. The Supremes was
the most successful Motown act during the
1960's and one of the world's bestselling all
women groups of all time. She was born in
Detroit, Michigan being the second of six
children. The family lived on the North End
section of Detroit, near Highland Park,
Michigan. Diana Ross's neighbor growing
up was Smokey Robinson. She lived in the
working-class Brewster-Douglass Housing
Projects in Detroit. She attended Cass
Technical High School in downtown
Detroit. She wanted to be a fashion
designer. Ross graduated from Cass Tech
in January 1962. Diana Ross was part of
the Primettes, and they worked with the
Primes.
Later, Diana Ross joined the Supremes. The
Supremes became world famous with their
songs like Where Did Our Love Go, Baby
Love, Love Child, Come See About Me, etc.
Diana Ross later became a solo artist and
worked with the Jackson Five during the late
1960's and the 1970's. Diana Ross was on
TV shows and movies like Lady Sings the
Blues (she played Billie Holiday), Mahogany,
and The Wiz. She made her debut solo
album called Diana by May of 1970. With
songs like Reach Out and Touch
(Somebody's Hand), etc. Diana had the
soundtrack of the lm Lady Sings the Blues
which was an ode to the legendary blues
artist Billie Holiday. By April 1974, Diana
Ross was the rst African American to co-
host the Academy Awards, with John
Huston, Burt Reynolds, and David Niven. By
the time of the Wiz, Diana Ross inspired
Michael Jackson to take his career into the
next level. Her most successful album was
Diana being released in 1980. It had disco
and R&B music vibes with longs like Upside
Down (composed by the guitarist Nile
Rodgers and Bassist Bernard Edwards).
Diana Ross and Michael
Jackson admired each other.
Diana Ross always was a close friend
to Michael Jackson. They loved each
other a great deal. Diana Ross
performed and was part of the USA
for Africa's We Are the World charity
single in 1985. Diana Ross hosted
many awards. By 1996, Ross
performed at the Super Bowl halftime
show in Tempe, Arizona. In 1999,
Diana Ross and Brandy Norwood
starred in the movie Double Platinum
which is about the music industry. By
February 2012, Diana Ross had her
rst Grammy Award for Lifetime
Achievement. Thank You was her
25th studio album being released in
November 2021. Her single Turn Up
the Sunshine was with the band Tame
Impala. Diana Ross looks youthful as
ever as her love for music still
passionately strong. Her elegance is
apparent, and she is a beautiful black
woman inside and out.
The subsequent decade of the 1980’s was something special. It was the time of some of
the greatest music of the 20th century with loud beats, ballads, and rock and roll hits.
Every genre of music fully displayed incredible excellence. Rock shifted culturally into
bands that wanted a fast tempo and other bands had a slower tempo. There were metal,
R&B legends (like Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Miki Howard), universally funky
icons like Prince, and other rock bands with diversity of skills (like Duran Duran, U2,
The Go-Gos, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, The Bangles, R.E.M., etc.). Hip Hop saw the start of
its Golden Age. The 1980’s was the decade of my birth during the era of the end of the
Cold War. Soon, this historic series will delve into the rock music of the 1980’s.