Blues Contributions
...ished songs such as “Memphis Blues” in the year 1912 (“Blues”). With its beautiful harmony and hearty lyrics, blues music began influencing many facets of American culture starting in the 1900’s. As a matter of fact, the vast majority of popular music during the 20th century, such as rhythm & blues and rock, was either directly or indirectly influenced by the blues (“Blues”). When asked about this matter, Port Arthur native and Texan blues pioneer Clifford Antone, clearly stated, “[And] we have to remember that music like rock ’n’ roll came [straight] from the Blues” (Antone). Learning first hand from this extraordinary man, I can attest to his statement with several supporting facts. For example, Elvis Presley’s first recording of “That’s Alright Mama” was nothing more than a copy of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s original version featuring the same title. Likewise, the Beatles’ “Roll over Beethoven” was originally rocked by Chuck Berry. Who would have imagined that the mainstream sounds of artists such as The Beatles and Elvis were influenced so heavily by blues music? Mr. Antone states it best when he says, “That [blues] is where the real great music is, the lesser known cats. There are some really great ones out there” (Antone). Thus, it is apparent that rock and roll music along with other popular genres takes its roots in the talents of blues greats who often go unheard of. Furthermore it is crucial to note that the advent of music influenced by the blues allowed American audiences to hear and accept the incredible music of Black Americans. Eventually, this merging of African American and White culture through the sounds of the blues brought about social change. In particular, it helped to reduce segregation. Kevin Chappell of Ebony magazine clarifies this point accurately: Lost is the reality that rock `n' roll was actually born out of the belly of Black blues music and raised by Black artists in the 1950s in smoke-filled clubs along Beale Street in Memphis, 47th Street in Chicago and 125th Street in Harlem. (64) To illustrate, the music that America jammed to during the British invasion was really “White America […] pay[ing] for music that had been taken from its backyard, shipped overseas, watered down, whitewashed and sent back to the States by messengers with funny accents” (Chappell 65). Although this runaround seems illogical, one must keep in mind the state of cultural affairs in the United States during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The British Invasion was probably the only way possible for White Americans to learn about the music of Black Americans. Otherwise, the majority of the White population in America was sheltered, and they were listening to “square music like that of Perry Como and the Hip Parade” (Antone). As the 1970’s approached and blues started taking a back seat to the psychedelic movement, rock and roll, and hip sounds of labels such as Motown, many individuals worked hard to keep the blues alive. For example, Mr. Antone did his part by s...