Fifties Rhythm & Blues, PT 1

On Monday, February 27 at 1:00 pm, John Clark and his Great American Music Experience presents this music education program. The story began in the late 1940s when music by black artists was first identified as “rhythm & blues.” Then the early and mid-1950s saw many R&B songs released by white artists. After Elvis broke through in 1956, Little Richard (“Long Tall Sally”) and the  Coasters scored several pop hits as did the Platters (“Great Pretender”) and Brook Benton who capitalized on a smooth style from an earlier era. By the end of the decade, gospel-based black artists like Ray Charles and the Drifters (“There Goes My Baby”) had achieved mainstream success. James Brown was a fifties R&B star but would have to wait until the sixties to cross over to pop.

Please register at 617-730-2770