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Last week one of the greatest performers in modern musical history passed away. Little Richard was a star and a revolutionary. As a performer, he introduced the kind of music that would become rock and roll. His role as a black musician that appealed to white audiences would help to break the color lines in the entertainment business. Today, all the types of music that you listen to country, rock and roll, rap, hip-hop, and many sub-genres owe their existence to people like Little Richard. Check out his obituary by clicking his picture. Take a moment to consider the context of this type of music in a time of swing music and expectations of conformity. Musicians from the Beatles and Rolling Stones all the way to Prince looked to Little Richard for inspiration and leadership. None of the music we know and love today would exist without people like Little Richard.
Another amazing musical innovation point was a tiny studio located in a tiny town called Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This tiny business became the portal for a stunning amount of musical innovation. Two studios founded by partners turned rivals became the site for the development of some of the most well-known songs in the history of popular music. Lynard Skynard, Rolling Stones, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, and many more all emerged from this little town. This documentary recounts the many moments that were created and crafted in this obscure town. The house band from the original studio was so good they toured with bands and became famous as the "Swampers." Take some time to watch this video. Start anywhere and you will recognize the songs and the musicians. From the roots created by Little Richard the music business radically changed and emerged. Social and racial changes were set into motion by a variety of forces which included popular music. The musical landscape would continue to evolve powered by different experiences and building on the achievements of the pioneers.
After the era of early rock and roll spurred changes in style and tastes new forms of evolution began to emerge. In a variety of places around the country musicians and producers began experimenting with recording equipment and new forms of lyrics that would form the foundations of rap and hip hop. From the Sugar Hill Gang, Run-DMC, and the Beastie Boys new styles punctuated with loops, samples, and overdubbing drove music and tastes in new directions. The video tracking the evolution of hip-hop charts the increasing complexity, diversity, and range of modern music. All the performers have benefited from the contributions of earlier pioneers. One of the most important was Little Richard. In his lifetime he helped to pioneer a style of music that continues to emerge before our ears.
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