The United States has many ‘firsts’ in the world. In the 19th century Africans began combining their unique harmonies and rhythms with European music traditions. This led to creating original styles of music such as The Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and other styles of Pop Music. Arranger Blake Richter has created a piece demonstrating African style call and responses with harmonies in this Spiritual from the 19th century.

‘Bright Morning Stars’

In 1940, 28 years before the moon landing, World War II had stretched across three continents, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to his third term, black author Richard Wright writes Native Son, John Ford wins Oscar for directing the great depression era story Grapes of Wrath, and John Lomax discovers social reform singer Woody Guthrie at a ‘Grapes of Wrath Evening’ in New York City. Woody Guthrie had just written a song about his travels through the United States which echoes hard times of the Great Depression.

‘This Land is Your Land’

Sometimes people have an effect on music, sometimes music has an effect on people. In 1969, the year of the moon landing, this billboard chart hit spent five weeks as the number one song and is considered one of the most popular songs of the 1960’s. This song is a plea for peace and equality between different races and social groups. Sly and The Family Stone was one of the first integrated rock bands. This hit created a catchphrase and became the name for a popular TV sitcom and as well as providing the name for a famous cartoon dog.

‘Everyday People’