Jeff Beck w/Rod Stewart: People Get Ready (1985)

Curtis Mayfield wrote this spiritual in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement He employed Gospel and religious themes to create a social and political awareness. Jeff Beck released an amazing cover version in 1985 with Rod Stewart on vocals. Beck played the song with Sting on vocals at the 2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_j_dzka

With Sting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOnz2056RGQ

Curtis Mayfield:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nH3fKH10oM

 

Mahalia Jackson: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1997

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/mahalia-jackson/

"I sing God's music because it makes me feel free. It gives me hope. With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues."

In 1927, her family moved from the South to New Orleans as part of the Great Migration.  She began singing in church and eventually began recording in 1931.

Her signature:

Take My Hand, Precious Lord:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as1rsZenwNc

She signed with Decca in 1937 and Apollo in 1948.

Move Up A Little Higher (1948) sold 8 million copies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06gAdro-62E

Amazing Grace (1947):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJg5Op5W7yw

Go Tell It On The Mountain (1950):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq5aEwtvdRI

How I Got Over (1951):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRVzOV5ZaLs

She sang at JFK’s Inaugural Ball and at the March on Washington:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TALcOreZi0A

She died in 1972.

Pete Seeger: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1996

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/pete-seeger/bio/

Pete Seeger is an iconic folksinger whose career spans from the 1940s.

In the 50s, he had a hit with the Weavers with a Leadbelly cover:

Goodnight Irene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj3s8qq3kU4

The band got blacklisted during the McCarthy era, but Seeger reemerged in the sixties.

He scored hits as a songwriter:

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2SIIeqy34

Turn! Turn! Turn! (The Byrds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jxxagVEO4

He also popularized We Shall Overcome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYeqe3LewE

Seeger was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

In recent years, he played the Obama Inaugural.

Neil Young: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/neil-young/bio/

Young began performing in 1960 while still in Canada. Six years later, he moved to California and co-founded Buffalo Springfield.

For What It’s Worth (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5M_Ttstbgs

The band broke up in 1968. He went solo for a short time before joining a super group.

Down By The River (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoA5cqDSasM

He joined Crosby, Stills and Nash for a spell…

Woodstock (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzF_MoXOU1E

About the Kent State Massacre in 1970:

Ohio (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnOoNM0U6oc

Back to solo in 1970...

Cinnamon Girl (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAdtUDaBfRA&feature=related

He condemned southern racism in…

Southern Man (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2jyzIrzs5Y

Heart of Gold (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh44QPT1mPE

Old Man (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZtJqDIom5Q

Heroin addiction led to this happy tune:

The Needle and the Damage Done (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd3oqvnDKQk&ob=av2n

Young delved into history, from the Aztecs’ point of view, and used it as an allegory for lost love…

Cortez the Killer (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G0qroTL51U

Like a Hurricane (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obfci1CIqq8

Four Strong Winds (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfZes9fFmXc

Hey Hey My My (Into the Black) (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMs3PCDM8Eg&feature=related

Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QTuiAL1RAg

Weight of the World (1986):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgsKFHNLpnU

He attacked sell-outs…

This Note’s For You (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSSvzCNBvlQ&ob=av2e

And created a battle cry for the next generation of rock stars.

Rockin’ in the Free World (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdiCJUysIT0

Harvest Moon (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2MtEsrcTTs&ob=av2n

By this point, Young was considered the Godfather of Grunge

Downtown w/Pearl Jam (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo-4viCN_w4&ob=av2e

After 911...

Let’s Roll (2002):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtM_1BoqxWc

Grey Riders (2011):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRhRkKMoMC8

The Impressions: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1991

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-impressions/bio/

Official Site:

http://the-impressions.com/

Their career in links.

They formed in 1958. Originally called The Roosters, they delved into R&B, doo-wop, gospel, and soul. Their work served to inspire the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

For Your Precious Love (1958):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brKeKWod_G0

Jerry Butler left the group for a solo career. Curtis Mayfield became the lead singer.

Gypsy Woman (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wd4tlX5t-Q

It’s All Right (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMWlhErzOPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnZ9wOlDxG0

Mayfield decided to explore black nationalism.

Keep on Pushing (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfGsTx3xtdI

Amen (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j37aGQh2-ZA

People Get Ready (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTL9myUqLMs

Woman’s Got Soul (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aADMrUiSXQ

We’re a Winner (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HKoOYdhkq0

There is a definite musical transition to the 70s going on here:

Choice of Colors (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNV1Y01xNk8

Message songs continue…

Check Out Your Mind (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HxvRoqDefI

Mayfield left the Impressions after 1970.

Finally Got Myself Together (I’m a Changed Man) (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiS5L-WCthQ&feature=related

Sooner of Later (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsoxFAl3pUQ

Same Thing Took it Over (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpSepMzM_pY

Loving Power (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbdL85lh96M

Sunshine (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJAYTYfrCUY

This Time (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zawBxPuYDyk

I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It (with Eric Clapton and Billy Preston) (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkgEZa7lDHw&ob=av2e

Bruce Springsteen: O Mary Don't You Weep (2006)

"O Mary Don't You Weep" dates to before the Civil War. It's an old slave song which contained coded messages of hope and deliverance. The slaves use the Biblical stories of liberation including Lazarus, Exodus, and the Flood. It was first recorded in 1915 for posterity. The song experienced a resurgence with the Civil Rights Movement.

Springsteen version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tebjshm7f_I

Gospel Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVwhBendHds

Aretha Franklin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ditHPMxHATg

Sam Cooke: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

Sam Cooke: His life in links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/sam-cooke/bio/

1957:

You Send Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqzv1ZS6uZs

Summertime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWFJLUBwpSY

I’ll Come Running Back to You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqQ92JLKRSg

1960s:

Chain Gang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRyDlVOE86U

Twistin’ the Night Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSoPeZMHMf4

Another Saturday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i98_Lqcryp8

1963: Cooke’s 18 month old son wandered off from his mother and drowned in a pool. The singer fell into a deep depression.

1964: He died at the Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles when a hotel manager shot and killed Cooke. She claimed self defense and the singer was found by police without a shirt or pants on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKnQWEvwlc
The Death of Sam Cooke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly5X_ujTlyM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ0FDIL5gX0&feature=related

Released shortly after his death, “A Change Is Gonna Come” became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. The song is especially powerful considering how Cooke died.

A Change Is Gonna Come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQU4torUz-Q

After his death, Motown honored Cooke with a Supremes album of cover songs:

Ain’t That Good News: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYnkshAo0eE