mus 15
Sammy Davis, Jr.
1945 - Can't stay in hotels he is performing in Changes everything: becomes solo star, helps desegregate town, both vacationers and work force
Showmanship
a person skilled in dramatic or entertaining presentation, performance, or publicity
Motown "Sound"
"A combination of rats, roaches, love, and guts" - Berry Gordy Pop oriented Soul Music ("M.O.R.) Less political, more about love/loss K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Stupid! Consistency HDH Songwriting Team Funk Brothers session musicians "Quality Control" Artist Development
1975 Forever Michael - peaks at 101 on charts
"He's not recording any more solo albums for Gordy. That man's gonna ruin Michael!" - Joe Jackson
Hit Singles - 1971
"Mama's Pearl" - 1971 - #2 - The Corporation 59 "Maybe Tomorrow" - 1971 - #3 - the Corporation Maybe Tomorrow Originally for Sammy Davis, Jr., electric sitar "Never Can Say Goodbye"-1971 - #2 Maybe Tomorrow Hear some of his mature voice, flute, hooks "Sugar Daddy" - #10 - 1971 - released as single
Transition 2 - Gospel & Soul Ray Charles
"Secularizes" Gospel Style "My Jesus is All the World to Me" becomes "I Got a Woman"
influences
"When I was young, the people I watched were the real showmen- James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly. A great showman touches everybody; that's the real test of greatness and these men have it." Moonwalk, Michael Jackson Others include: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Jackie Wilson, Little Richard, the Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Charlie Chaplin, Nipsey Russell, and Walt Disney
"I Want You" Back B-Side
"Who's Lovin' You"- Smokey Robinson cover Ed Sullivan Show Performance Only Bobby Taylor song on the first album Sung since touring days Soul sound Can you hear a difference between this sound and the bubblegum soul sound? How is his age affecting your experience?
entertainer
- Energy - Timing Showman Charisma Staging Set design Choreography - Performer and Backup Singers and Orchestra
achievements
12 Solo Albums (2 posthumous) Best Selling Record of All Time: Thriller First African-American artist on MTV 13 Grammy Awards Guinness Book of World Records Largest Audience Attendance: Bad World Tour Most charities supported by a Pop Star Most successful Entertainer of All Time Most Grammy Awards in Single Year by a Person Longest US Span of No. 1 Hits by an R&B artist Highest-earning deceased artist Highest grossing concert film of all time
Brief History of Motown
1959-1964 - First years, scattered hits Sells to MCA in 1988, Polygram in 1994, Universal buys Polygram in 1999 Barrett Strong - Money, that's what I want - 1959 #2 R&B, #23 - Hot 100 The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman - 1961 First Motown Hit- #1 Hot 100 & #1 R&B! 79 Top 100 Singles from 1965-1969 Moves company to California in 1971 Widely criticized by African American communities
Gladys Knight and the Pips
1967- Open for Gladys Knight and the Pips from Motown Gladys Knight sends word: Motown ignores it
Touring and Michael's Psychology
1971- "we played 45 cities that summer, followed by 50 more cities that year." Hotel hi-jinks with brothers Dad brings girls to their rooms at night, wake up to being giggled at Throngs of fans, scary
Puberty....
A boy soprano --> male tenor Lookin' through the Windows- 1972 #16 Puberty - (acne) Voice changing Developing some studio attitude: "No matter what age you are, if you have it and you know it, then people should listen to you." - Moonwalk Ad libbing
*Chitlin circuit*
A circuit of African-American nightclubs and venues throughout United States Royal Peacock - Alabama Regal Theater- Chicago Uptown Theater- Philadelphia Royal Theater - Baltimore Apollo Theater - NYC (historical landmark!) Et al.
"Public Relations"
Album lies: Diana Ross "discovers" them at benefit for Gary governor, Richard Hatcher (they actually do stage this benefit, Ross is NOT in attendance) The boys are NOT on the recording Background fabrications (bill them 2 years younger)
Sam Cooke (1931-1964) A Change is Gonna Come (1964)
Anthem for Civil Rights Movement Singing voice - gospel effect Lush arrangement Strings, horns section, french horn Swung rhythm Lyrics- hope for social change Cooke was turned away at a hotel in Louisiana, lyrics reflect personal instances of discrimination Recorded 1963- Hollywood, CA @ RCA Studios #31 Hot 100 Charts, #9 R&B Singles
cultural
Audience Purpose/Effect History
Michael's Psychology
Begin of split between private and public life Performance life as an alterable reality "Two" families: Joe and Katherine/Berry and Diana Quick rise to national stardom Pseudo-sexual icon
Bubblegum Soul
Bubblegum Soul "Bubblegum Rock" Marketed to pre-teens Upbeat, optimistic music Catchy choruses and melodies Sweet and naïve, squeaky clean "Bubblegum Soul" All the above plus: Clean, tight doo wop style backing vocals Funky bass parts Choreography
Motown Divorce
By 1975 - Jackson 5 has stopped recording for Motown They have not had a number one album or single in years Motown is not interested in spending money on promoting them No allowed to write their own music Joe Jackson, furious, decides to seek other representation for his children...
Music Trends 19th c.-1930's
Blues, Gospel, Tin Pan Alley, Jazz/Swing
Branding, Merchandise, Saturation
Cartoon Series - 1971-1973 Teen idols Worldwide Tours TV Shows Carol Burnett Ed Sullivan Diana Ross Specials American Bandstand Goin' Back to Indiana - 1971
genre
Category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter
Family Changes - Weddings
Family Changes - Weddings 66 1972 - Tito marries Delores Martes Met in Fairfax HS Prenuptial agreement 1973 - Jermaine marries Hazel Gordy (boss' daughter) Family less trusting of him regarding issues with Motown 1974 - Jackie elopes w/ Enid Spann Enid refuses pre-nuptial agreement
Early Days - Family Business at motown
Family atmosphere: Picnics, beach days, BBQs Open to public, casual Gordy works CEO, A&R, production, Songwriting
Joseph Jackson (b. 1929 - Arkansas)
Crane Operator Charismatic Musician - guitar
Jackson 5: 3 Periods
Creation/Early Years 69-72: Golden Motown years 72-75: Decline and divorce from Motown
Disco Genre (b. mid-1970's)
Dance music that incorporates soul, r&b, funk, pop, and salsa Originated in discothèque culture Club lifestyle: open to marginalized communities- gay and African-Americans Instrumentation: lavish strings (Philly Soul), electric bass, electric guitar, extra percussion (latin percussion especially!), extended instrumental sections (for dancing) Music: up tempo, dance music, syncopated bass, four-on-the-floor Tom Moulten - playlists, mixed tapes, breakdowns
Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5
December 1969 - 10 weeks #1 - "I Want You Back" - #1 Single
growth at motown
Delegation: development of different depts. Sub-labels, music publisher (Jobete) Talent Agency - International Talent Management
Marketing
Demographics Spotify, Pandora, Billboard, etc
how does soul become?
Develops from mixture of gospel & blues, influences from Doo Wop Vocal writing - beautiful melodies and harmonies Gospel emotion
Diana Ross and the Supremes
Diana Ross, Mary Wells, Florence Ballard Diana Ross becomes lead in 1965 Gordy's decision HDH collaboration Top Motown Act Soul/Doo Wop Sound Groomed to be classy Maxine Powell - Artist Development
Syncopation
Displaced beats or accents in the rhythm wherein the strong beats become weak, and the weak become strong Pushes the rhythm constantly forward, creates a groove that carries the music
Blues, Jazz, and Gospel have profound influence on new music cultures in the 1940s-60's, musically and stylistically
Doo Wop R&B Soul Rock and Roll
Music trends 1940s-1960's
Doo Wop, Soul Music, Rock N Roll, R&B
Launching their national career
Ed Sullivan Show December 14, 1969 "I want you back," "Who's Loving You," "Stand!" Launching their national career The Hollywood Palace - w/ Diana Ross October 18, 1969 (before album) Sammy Davis, Jr. Medley of songs, comedy sketches Sinatra Sketch
Berry Gordy, Jr.
Entrepreneurial family Started out as a boxer Jazz aficionado Failed record store Freelance Songwriter $800 loan from family to start Motown Plus Songwriting royalties
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
First Motown record to hit 1 million copies shop around #1 R&B chart, #2 Hot 100 chart Important group for Motown Smokey also main songwriter for Motown Later to become VP of Motown Records
Jackie Wilson
Lonely Teardrops - 1958 Brunswick label By Berry Gordy, used money from Royalties to help found Motown #1 R&B Chart, #7 Billboard Hot 100
Gary to Chicago and Beyond
Gary to Chicago and Beyond MJ's first public solo: Elementary School - 1963 1966 - Roosevelt High Talent Show - J5 win! Temptations "My Girl"; Robert Parker's "Barefootin'" Clubs Chitlin Circuit - Win 2 big talent contests Regal Theater - Chicago - 1965/66 Apollo Theater- NYC - August 1967
Joe Jackson - Downslide Rescue Attempt No. 1 and 2
Get It Together - 1973 - "Get It Together" - Redirect image - Funk sound, disco strings - Fares better than previous albums ● Las Vegas -1973- 1974 Nightly shows ● - MJ practices with new ● ● voice Motown band Janet Jackson
Last Two Motown Albums
Get It Together - 1973 ● "Get it Together" single- #28- over 700,000 copies ● Adds funk sound with splash of disco strings, whistles michael is a tenor Dancing Machine - 1974 ● Listen for - horn part, bubble machine ● Single: "Dancing Machine" - #2 - First Top 10 since "Sugar Daddy" (1971) - Soul Train Robot
Downslide begins...
Gordy- film career Skywriter (1973) - least albums sold Ewart Abner
Michael's Solo Albums
Got to Be There - 1972 - US - #14 "Rockin' Robin" - #2 Ben - 1972 - US- #5, Single #1 Academy Awards - nominated for an Oscar Soundtrack to a movie about a rat Music & Me - 1973 - US - #92 Forever Michael - 1975 - #101
Motown and the late 60's
HDH leaves → The Corporation '67 Detroit Riots → Los Angeles branch Singers want more creative control/royalties Stevie Wonder: Innervisions, Marvin Gaye - What's Going On? Needs to reinvent itself to align with emerging youth culture Psychedelic Rock, Funk (James Brown!!), Folk, Acid rock social demonstrations, Woodstock - 69, Black Pride, Black Panthers...
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) Gospel
How I Got Over - Live (1960's) #1 on "Race Records"
Holland-Dozier-Holland
Infamous songwriting team 1962-1967 - 70 Top Ten Songs 50 hits reach #1 Gospel background Leave Motown in 1968 over financial disagreements Continued on Invictus/Hot Wax Label
little richard
Influence on Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and soul singer James Brown Long Tall Sally / Tutti Frutti Showmanship, choreographed band, singing style (gritty belting vocal sound, interjections), dancing That style!
musical qualities
Instrumentation Form Verse/Chorus, Strophic (Verse/Refrain), Binary et al. Harmony Lyrical Content Vocal Delivery Feel - the groove, pacing, speed of the music The kind of rhythms used (swing, straight, etc)
Integration
Intermixing previously separated groups; socially, politically, and economically Legislation prohibiting discrimination Brown v. Board of Education - 1954 Civil Rights Act - 1964 Voting Rights Act - 1965 Fair Housing Act - 1968
three stages of career
Jackson 5 Height of his career: Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad Downturn, scandal, lawsuits, bankruptcy, and public scrutiny
Las Vegas! 1973-1974
Janet Jackson comes in with a feather boa Less albums, MJ can practice his changing voice Motown rhythm section MGM Grand Motown displeased, but publicly supports them
Cab Calloway - (1907-1994) Swing Jazz
Jazz - most prominent form of African American music in Pop Culture 1920s-1940's Big Bands, Singing, Dancing, Conducting Successful in Pop Culture W/ Nicholas Brs.
Motown Contract - 1968 Joe Jackson v Berry Gordy Round 1
Joe is happy to get the contract down to 1 year Fine print binds them 6-7 years No other labels for 5 years No obligation to promote for 5 years $12.50 per "master," upon 'release' 6% royalty (90% retail price), split 5 ways Motown pays costs of recording/arranging, recoups from royalties Motown owns the name 'Jackson 5' Why does Motown want the Jackson 5?
Puberty, Sex, Changes - 72-75
Joseph fathers half-sister - Joh'vonnie 1973 Katherine threatens divorce Eventually retracts (at Motown's insistence) Sexuality Bros. + groupies, Michael's abstinence/discomfort
Motown Audition
July 1968 - Videotape Audition R&B hits - ending with James Brown's " I Got The Feelin"' "The audition was brief and cold, with no immediate response from the audition panel" ● Michael Jackson, Moonwalk
billboard
Marketing/Advertising group founded in 1894 - Covers entertainment industry charts hot 100 R&B Country
Other artists, new sounds, new albums:
Marvin Gaye: What's Goin' On? Stevie Wonder : Innervisions - "Higher Ground"
Some Well Known #1 Singles (Hot 100)
Mary Wells - My Guy The Temptations - My Girl The Supremes - Stop in the Name of Love (HDH) Where did Our Love Go? (HDH) You Can't Hurry Love (HDH) Marvin Gaye- I heard it through the Grapevine (Strong/Whitfield) Stevie Wonder - Fingertips pt. 2 The Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There (HDH) Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Michael Jackson <3 Diana Ross
Michael Lives With Diana Ross
trademarks
Moonwalk, Toe freeze Glove Dances Vocal Gestures Shamon! Hee hee and other shouts Crotch Grab Fashion Red Jacket, White Socks Military Dress Fedora
"I'll Be There"
Most successful single they ever released Ballad - Versatility Pop: Controlled emotion 1st 2/3, break loose last 1/3. Well structured melody Vocal style? How does his voice change over the course of the song? How is he maturing as an artist?
ASCAP
Music publishing company founded in 1914 Protects copyrights for songwriters Distribution of royalties
Tin Pan Alley
NYC publishers and songwriters Popular songs 1880s-1940s Comic novelty songs, dramatic ballads Crooning singer style Influences seen in Vaudeville and Broadway Copyright Legislation 1914 - ASCAP is founded!
Jackson 5 at Motown
Records 469 songs, releases 174 number of songs World Tours MJ- 4 Solo Albums with Motown J5 Release 15 albums with Motown Average of 3/year Last album released in 2010 - Live Show
Crossover
Refers to the struggle to break into the Pop Music Charts (Hot 100), to "cross over" into the Pop genre from a different genre/field of music African American Latin American Classical Music Sacred Music Country Et al.
Motown Records Hitsville USA
Responsible for the most successful crossover artists of the 60s Founded by Berry Gordy in 1959 as "Tamla" Records in Detroit Founded/employed by African-Americans Leapt over crossover boundaries between R&B and Hot 100 charts "Production Line" work organization Quality Control, Image Grooming (Artistic Development), "Paternalistic" environment, Open 22hrs. Day, Constant Touring
themes in 60s soul
Optimism, Civil Rights, Integration, Working Class African-American communities
Doo Wop
Origins in 40s, mainstream 50s-60s Pop Music Tight vocal harmony Simple music and lyrics Nonsense syllables Influences Soul singers of 60s James Brown, Four Seasons, Diana Ross and the Supremes The Platters - Only You- 1955
Four-On-The-Floor
Rhythm pattern used in disco and EDM that uses a uniform 4/4 beat pattern, where the kick drum is hit on every beat
Gospel Music -19th c.- present
Sacred music - Southern Church Tradition Spirituals + Conversion to Christianity Characterized Lyrics- faith, glorifying God, prayer, overcoming hardship rhythm (backbeat : offbeat emphasis) structure (i.e. call and response) blues sound the expressive, dominant use of the voice Intended to build emotion of audience to a euphoric, holy, godly state
Katherine Jackson née Scruse (b. 1930- Alabama)
Polio survivor Clarinet, Piano, Sings Sears - PT Sales Devout Jehovah's Witness 1963 Defends kids from Joseph Sings to her children Inspires religious fervor in Michael
Father Management
Practice every day, no hobbies/friends Corporal punishment Compares kids to each other Tour US venues Including seedy bars Perfectionist
R&B Genre
R&B (rhythm and blues) : Blanket term for various styles of African American popular music "Race Music" → "R&B" 1948 - Jerry Wexler Music by African Americans has a hard time "crossing over" to the Top 100 Music is often made famous by white artists before the white audiences will embrace them
The Funk Brothers
Session Musicians for almost all records The "Snakepit" Most recorded band for #1 Pop Singles Ever "Tight" group sound Uncredited until 1971
Bobby Taylor
Singer signed with Motown Shares a bill in 1968 with the Jackson 5 Impressed, he brings them to Motown's "West Grand Boulevard Studios" in Detroit.... thought mj should be a soul singer
Transitions Gospel / Rock and Roll Mix
Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) First successful crossover from Gospel to R&B charts Big Influence on Little Richard Introduces early rock rhythms/style Up Above My Head- 1960s
Pop Music: 1940s-1960s
Soul and Doo Wop and Rock n Roll
Big Boy
Soul song Lyrics Backup vocals - doo wop harmonies Can you tell difference between verse and chorus? Big Boy Listen to the Voice! Vibrato, tone color, ornamentation, diction
Branding the Jackson 5
Sound: Bubblegum Soul Aesthetic Changes Clothes, hairstyle Diction Manners Backstory Diana Ross
James Brown Soul Brother No. 1 Godfather of Soul Hardest Working Man in Show Biz
South Carolina b. 1933 (d. 2006) Starts in Doo-Wop James Brown & the Famous Flames - Try Me Showmanship defined! Performance style, stage theatrics, singing, dancing, leading the band, fashion! Mixes the big bands of swing, stage presence of Little Richard, and the vocal delivery of Gospel and Blues... "the only thing more fun than listening to James Brown was Sheer Energy!! seeing him live" - Rolling Stone Listening: Please, please, please Listening: Night Train Call and Response Theatrics ("fake out") Live At The Apollo - Album to capture his sound Visceral experience Connection to audience Euphoric, authentic state
Funk Music (b. mid-1960's)
Stinky stank music Combines soul, r&b, jazz Less complex melodies and chord progressions Emphasis on melodic bass lines and complex syncopated rhythms Electric bass, "slap" bass, poly and/or interlocking rhythms Emphasized downbeat
Frankie Lymon - (1942-1968)
Success Why Do Fools Fall in Love? The "musician" life - drug addiction, tours, failed marriages Dies young - 26 y/o A Warning
Grooming
Suzanne dePasse Outfits 70's psychedelic Black Pride Afros Grammar and Manners Wholesome appearance Boys are trained in interviews to say only what they are told to say!
The Corporation
Team of songwriters and producers assembled by Berry Gordy for the new Hollywood Studios Gordy: executive producer, arranger, songwriter Hal Davis: Producer Alphonzo Mizell: Producer Freddie Perren: pianist and songwriter Deke Richards: vocal coach and arranger
producer
The person who creatively guides or directs the process of making a record, like a director would a movie.
vaudeville
Theatrical performance originating 1880's Variety Show Live Performances Comedians Comic variety sketches Jugglers, etc..... Music shows Tin Pan Alley Songs
Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925-1990) Pop:
Tin Pan Alley
Michael's Psychology...
Traveling the country Hanging out with adults Watching most famous singers and artists of the 60's perform in historically renowned African-American clubs and venues Strict, abusive father/philanderer/manager Strip clubs and other mature nightclub acts Grueling work hours Genuine love for music and singing with his brothers!
Mamie Smith (1883-1946) Blues
crazy blues First blues recording by African-American female - 1920 Influences with Vaudeville and Jazz New market: Race Records
Rock and Roll-1940's/50s
Up tempo blues Guitars Dancing Sexuality Optimistic, fun, and dangerous! Rock and Roll-1940's/50s Marketing towards new youth culture Counterculture movement
effects
Visceral reaction Create experience for audience Play with expectations Entertainment!
First Single: "I Want You Back"
Vocabulary: Riff - a short repeated phrase, used as a background element, creates an identity for the song How is this different than previous recordings? First Single: "I Want You Back" That bass line! Singing style - That Pop Sound! Doo Wop nonsense syllables Call and Response (Gospel) Freddie Perren - pianist and songwriter Produced by Gordy and the Corporation Originally for Gladys Knight and the Pips Originally titled : "I want to be free" Instruments were originally recorded by mostly West Coast Session Musicians: Jermaine and Tito to mimic their playing live
performative
Where? How? Why?
Next 3 Singles
With "I want you back" - only pop group to have first four singles go to #1! "ABC" - Spring 1970 (from ABC) "Teacher's gonna show you how to get an Aaaa" "The Love You Save" - Summer 1970 ABC Mature lyrics couched in upbeat music "I'll Be There" Fall 1970 The Third Album
arranger
adapts the song to the instrumentation, organizes the instrumentation (what instruments are playing on the track)
Qualities to help Identify Genre
musical qualities performative cultural
genre fluidity
subgenres
