March on Washington set the standard for songs of protest

[mimi85]

Personally I think that music had an enormous amount to do with unifying us behind causes (ending the Vietnam War and furthering the Civil Rights movement). There's some out there, but not much. If you saw even a clip of the MTV awards, I think you'll see my point.

Music by Mahalia Jackson, Odetta, Bob Dylan and others helped muster courage at the March on Washington, a revolutionary moment for songs with a social message.

By Randy Lewis - LA Times
August 28, 2013, 7:30 a.m.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom 50 years ago was not only a galvanizing moment for African Americans and civil rights. It was also a watershed moment in popular music.

Before that hot summer day, pop music was mostly about a catchy tune and a memorable lyric. Since then, it became commonplace for songs with a social message to race up the sales charts. The Beatles and James Brown did it in the '60s, and urban rappers, country singers and alternative-rock bands continue speaking out today.

That was something new on Aug. 28, 1963. Actor and singer Harry Belafonte lined up black musicians Mahalia Jackson, Odetta and Marian Anderson for the concert on the National Mall at the end of the march, but he also included white folk artists Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary.

Malcolm X and some others had argued against including white performers. Belafonte ignored them, saying it was not in keeping with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of inclusion.

"Nothing that made up the American mosaic was not represented," said Belafonte, now 86. "Looking out at that sea of humanity ... we were looking at what Dr. King was describing as the dream."

Gospel music had long played a part in the civil rights movement, with "We Shall Overcome" serving as the unofficial anthem of the movement. And folk music, at that time, was at the peak of its popularity.

Between Elvis Presley's induction into the Army in 1958 and the arrival of the Beatles and the British Invasion in 1964, folk music exerted a powerful hold on radio and television through appearances and recordings by the Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary; Baez; the New Christy Minstrels; Trini Lopez and others.

What came into prominence at the time of the march were songs of protest and social consciousness.

Read more:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-civil-rights-music-20130828,0,673662,full.story

[malaise]

1. I have to disagree

the anti-slavery songs including Negro spirituals, Pete Seegar, Woodie Guthrie and others from the labor movement, others from the great depression set the stage which is not to say the Civil Rights movement didn't have great music.

[mimi85]

3. Oh I agree with that...

This was just the next step in that evolution.

[gopiscrap]

2. It sure did, I still use those today when

organizing peace and justice events

[jwirr]

4. To me it seems like there is not correlation to the movements today. When did this long history of

musical protest end? And why are we not hearing these protest songs on stations that play the oldies?

[mimi85]

5. Exactly!

The music was such an integral part of that whole era. Where is it today? On our dusty vinyl or CDs?

It's a shame. Even the great ones, like Dylan, don't get played. At least on most stations. And I think the music needs to come from younger generations now to make an impact. It seems all about posing now and who can wear the most shocking outfits. It's sad, I had so much hope and it's tough to hang on to that hopefulness. Damn, today is the 50th anniversary of MLK's speech, just listened to President Obama. Here's a tidbit from that day.