‘The Folk Box’ sought to trace the roots and branches of American music, and document the forging – and constant reinvention – of the national identity.
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Conservative politicians have launched attacks against the use of the word “woke.” If they knew the history of the word, they might stop wasting their time.
The pain of a brutal past and how to find healing is a theme shared between African Americans and black South Africans.
Everyone knows the Elvis story, but what’s less known is the story of the Black women singers and musicians who forged the way.
A virtuoso guitarist and songwriter, Green’s career was blighted by drug-amplified mental health problems.
Rap songs from Public Enemy and Ludacris have been heard at marches over the killing of George Floyd. But the history of Black American music as a form of protest dates back to the 19th century.
Little Richard swung between flamboyant performances and religious fervour - but he always came back to music. With news of his death at 87, musicians paid tribute to his huge rock ‘n’ roll legacy.
To quote Nick Cave, “Plagiarism is an ugly word for what, in rock and roll, is a natural and necessary … tendency … and that is to steal”.
Mac Rebennack took the stage name Dr John and a persona based on a real-life voodoo prince.
Muslims are not new to America. The first Muslims came as slaves and left a deep influence on a host of music genres, such as the blues and jazz.
How can a band so slavishly derivative – and sometimes downright plagiaristic – be also considered radically innovative and influential?
Why shouldn’t the Stones keep touring in their 70s?
Top contributors
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Reader in Music, Politics and Society, Newcastle University
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Reader in the Department of Music, University of Liverpool
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Professor Emerita of English and Research Associate of the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of Social Work, Michigan State University
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Lecturer in the Sociology of Gender, Macquarie University
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Associate Professor of History, University of Arizona
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Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Cambridge
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Senior Lecturer, Wayne State University
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Professor of Communication Studies, American University School of Communication
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Professor of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies, East Tennessee State University