US 1960s: Race Relations

Question 1

Freedom songs

Answer 1

mass singing during civil rights marches

Question 2

Origins of African-American church music/spirituals

Answer 2

Deliverance and redemption
Used as means of defiance and community for slaves - resistance in spiritual sense
Used as metaphor - deliverance to heaven = escape

Question 3

Three musicians

Answer 3

Sam Cooke - refused to play segregated show in Memphsis 1961
James Brown performed in concert in Boston after death of MLK
Nina Simone was SNCC supporter who questioned non-violence

Question 4

Motown politics

Answer 4

Motown songs rarely about politics
Berry Gordy avoided political content until late 1960s when it started to become more economically viable
Artists went through ‘artist development’ - how they dressed, spoke, etc. Made black singers more respectable for white audiences
Was affected by racisl politics of south, despite being based in Detroit. Revue tour 1962 not allowed in restaurants and had hotel reservations cancelled

Question 5

Dancing in the Streets

Answer 5

By Martha and the Vandellas (Motown)

Song unwanted link to black struggle, associated with Detroit race riots of 1967, despite song being written 1965

Question 6

Gordy (Motown creator) quote:

Answer 6

Music… has been one of the main vehicles of Free Expression of the Negro during his long struggle for human dignity. We are proud to be a part of this industry

Question 7

Motown Criticisms

Answer 7

Moved soul music away from its gospel roots for sake of appeal to white audience
Choice of light-skinned Diana Ross as Supremes lead vocalist due to ‘colourism’?
Reluctant to put political messages on main label until very clear that anti-war protest had broad support
Abandoned Detroit after 1967 riots by move to LA in 1972 - many in Detroit felt betrayed by that