So what lead up to the late 50's and early 60's revolution in music?
(listen to last 5 or 10 minutes)
The 1950's saw economic stability along with conformity and fear of nuclear annihilation. This relative peace came with a price; cold war tension, anti-communist 'House on UnAmerican Activities' Hearings which resulted in the blacklisting of many writers, musicians, and entertainment personalities, and a racial divide somewhat alleviated by the 1954 Supreme Court decision 'Brown vs. the Board of Education' ending school segregation. The term rock 'n' roll was probably first coined by Alan Freed. In the early 1950s Freed discovered that increasing numbers of young white kids were listening to and requesting the rhythm & blues records he played on his Moondog Show in Cleveland. Freed also promoted concert tours of black artists playing to young mixed crowds. Some early hits were 'Good Rocking Tonight' (covered by loads of people, originally written by Roy Brown).
'60 Minute Man' by the Dominoes was a huge hit in 1951
In 1954 Freed moved to New York radio station WINS and continued to promote black musicians in racially segregated America. A TV show sponsored by Freed was canceled in 1957 after the black teenage singer Frankie Lymon was shown dancing with a white girl. A year later Freed was arrested for anarchy and incitement to riot when a fight broke out at one of his rock 'n' roll concerts in Boston. By the early 1960's Freed was prosecuted for accepting payola - the common practice throughout the music industry of paying bribes to radio disc jockeys to get certain artists songs played more frequently. Promoters like Dick Clark, who promoted mostly white artists, escaped relatively unscathed. Freed was a broken man and died a couple years later.
Other DJs picked up the torch and ushered in the heyday of rock 'n' roll...
with artists like Chuck Berry
Pat Boone
Fats Domino
Wanda Jackson
Ricky Nelson
Janis Martin
The Everly Brothers
Jo-Ann Campbell
Elvis Presley
Before Elvis went completely sideways
Lorrie Collins
Bill Haley and the Comets
Who got big covering Big Joe Turner
Early Rock and Roll songs on the R & B side...
Little Richard
Chubby Checker
And from the Country side...
Buddy Holly
When it comes to legendary stories, right up there with Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads, is the story of Buddy Holly's coin flip.
It is said the American Revolution was fought over a 2% increase in taxes. 'No Taxation Without Representation' was the rallying cry.
Another rallying cry was 'Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!' made famous by Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.
The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my
own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; should I
keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider
myself as guilty of treason towards my country. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. [But] Is this
the part of wise men, engaged in a great struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of
the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things
which so nearly concern their salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may
cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past,
I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten
years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to comfort
themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been
lately received? Trust it not, sir. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask
yourselves, are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Let us
not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last
arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, Has Great Britain any enemy, in
this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir,
she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. And what have
we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Sir,
we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on.
We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated
ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical
hands of Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrance’s have produced additional
violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been
spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we
indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation? There is no longer any room for
hope. If we wish to be free, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to
arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. The war is actually begun! Our brethren
are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to
be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not
what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original.
In Congress, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The Constitution This document, the supreme law of the land, was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries. At the 1787 convention, delegates devised a plan for a stronger federal government with three branches—executive, legislative and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. The Constitution is not a document telling the government here's what they can't do, rather it is a list of things that the government is only allowed to do. 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
After winning the war against the British, America was governed by the Articles of Confederation which gave states all the power. 11 years later America was in rough shape, owing millions to France and the Netherlands and with federal taxation being only voluntary. So on May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. There were 55 delegates in attendance, representing all 13 states except Rhode Island, which refused to send representatives because it did not want a powerful central government interfering in its economic business. George Washington, who’d become a national hero after leading the Continental Army to victory during the American Revolution, was selected as president of the convention by unanimous vote.
The delegates (who also became known as the “framers” of the Constitution) were a well-educated group that included merchants, farmers, bankers and lawyers. Many had served in the Continental Army, colonial legislatures or the Continental Congress (known as the Congress of the Confederation as of 1781). In terms of religious affiliation, most were Protestants. Eight delegates were signers of the Declaration of Independence, while six had signed the Articles of Confederation.
At age 81, Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was the oldest delegate, while the majority of the delegates were in their 30s and 40s. Political leaders not in attendance at the convention included Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) andJohn Adams (1735-1826), who were serving as U.S. ambassadors in Europe. John Jay (1745-1829), Samuel Adams(1722-1803) and John Hancock (1737-93) were also absent from the convention. Virginia’s Patrick Henry (1736-99) was chosen to be a delegate but refused to attend the convention because he didn’t want to give the central government more power, fearing it would endanger the rights of states and individuals.
Reporters and other visitors were barred from the convention sessions, which were held in secret to avoid outside pressures. However, Virginia’s James Madison (1751-1836) kept a detailed account of what transpired behind closed doors. (In 1837, Madison’s widow Dolley sold some of his papers, including his notes from the convention debates, to the federal government for $30,000.)
The Bill of Rights
In 1789, Madison, then a member of the newly established U.S. House of Representatives, introduced 19 amendments to the Constitution. On September 25, 1789, Congress adopted 12 of the amendments and sent them to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified and became part of the Constitution on December 10, 1791. The Bill of Rights guarantees individuals certain basic protections as citizens, including freedom of speech, religion and the press; the right to bear and keep arms; the right to peaceably assemble; protection from unreasonable search and seizure; and the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. For his contributions to the drafting of the Constitution, as well as its ratification, Madison became known as “Father of the Constitution.”
Assignment: report back to us on some amendments to the Bill of Rights
The term Folk music came from England, where they took the German word “volk”, meaning people, and applied it to mean the common people of England, the illiterate peasants who passed on stories and legends through song as they were unable to publish books. It is generally considered to be an expression of life in the communities in which the music was developed and is a great help to historians in discovering the way of life of a people. The term has been used since the 19th century, but Folk music has existed for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
Folk music was relatively popular at the beginning of the Romantic period. Josef Haydn and Beethoven were two famous composers who made arrangements of Folk music. Many also composed traditional Folk dances which were virtually indistinguishable from the dances and songs sung by the common people. In recent times, however, Folk music did not have its revival until the 20th century. It is believed that the first Folk music festival took place in 1928, in Asheville, Carolina. Woodie Guthrie was one of the main contributors to the revival of folk music, and as many of the original folk music artists, grew up with Folk music, performing songs his mother had sung to him when he was a child.
Through the 30s and the 40s Folk music continued to rise in popularity. Stars like Jimmy Rodgers in the 30s
and Burl Ives in the 40s
helped to bring the genre to its peak in the 1950s, with the most popular groups and singers being The Weavers,
Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio.
Their style was an attempt to honour and reproduce the Folk music of the past. This style was popular until the mid-late sixties, when “folk rock” became popular and the Beatles mania swept the world.
In the 60s, the term “protest music” became popular, in which Folk music singers sang against the ideals of capitalism and the war in Vietnam, and in favour of movements such as the American Civil Rights Movement. Certain people call this type of music “antifolk” based on the idea that liberal politics reduces the importance of ethnicity, which is an essential part of Folk music, and that thus protest music is the opposite of true Folk music.
By 1975, the Folk music revival had mostly died out, and was not rejuvenated until the late 1990s, though that revival was to a much lesser extent than the previous one. Throughout the 70s and 80s, popular bands nonetheless took elements from Folk music, and today all over the world there are Folk music clubs and festivals. England’s Cambridge Folk Music Festival sells out in a couple of days, and Port Fairy Folk Music Festival in Australia is incredibly popular as well.
Folk music, while not in a peak revival stage, is still very popular today, and given as it has already progressed hundreds of years, it is not likely to be a form of music we will see disappear anytime in the near future.
My trip to Paris One of my most enjoyable trips was when I visited Paris back in 2006. It was remarkable and significant in so many different ways, and it was one of the reasons why I started to love travelling and plan for it more often.
When I first arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport, my heart was beating so quickly and I was very excited. As a young kid I would always hear stories about the famous city of lights, the historic Eiffel tower, and the magnificent louvre museum. But seeing those landmarks live is a whole new story. The first day I decided to explore the Eiffel tower, which is so amazing in that you can spot form anywhere inside the city. It took me exactly 627 steps to reach the top, and the view that I witnessed form above was far beyond marvelous. From up there you can see the whole river side, the champs elysees street and the lovely city architecture. Next check point was the Louvre Museum. It was very big that I wasn't able to go through the entire place. It was very educational and interesting, and of course I didn't miss the chance to see the beautiful Mona Lisa, which is one of the most famous paintings in history.
Final day of the trip I managed to take the batteaux mouches boat which takes you to a view of the whole city along the river sienne. It was a very pleasant experience and the tour guide explained many things about the french history that I never knew before, so it was good to learn more about different cultures. My trip to Paris was wonderful and I am planning to revisit whenever I get a chance.
One
of the unforgettable trips I can definitely call my trip to Vienna.
Great composers, breathtaking palaces and museums - that's Vienna.
Every year, it attracts thousands of tourists who admire its
wonderful monuments. Vienna is one of those places that has its
unique charm. On the one hand, it is a majestic historical place with
really wonderful architecture. It is a city where, through the eyes
of imagination, one can move into the golden times, when the cobbled
streets could hear the clatter of horse hooves, which horses
harnessed to carts took fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen to
the opera. Vienna is simply a paradise for lovers of culture and art.
On the other hand, it is a modern city, full of greenery and vibrant.
Regardless of what time of the year we go to the capital of Austria,
we will always find something for ourselves: numerous concerts,
festivals, balls take place here, and in winter it is worth coming to
the beautiful Christmas markets.
Schloss Belvedere
Architecture
St. Stephen's Cathedral
There are places in Vienna that you
simply have to see. It is best to start exploring the city from the
historic center, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage
List. The undeniable atmosphere of this place is created primarily by
stylish tenement houses. Walking the streets sooner or later we will
come to Stephansplatz, at which stands one of the most characteristic
buildings in the city, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephen that is filled with works of art. In addition, you can visit catacombs,
climb the stairs to the south tower and admire the view of the city
or take the elevator to the north tower and see up close Pummerin,
Austria's largest bell and the third largest bell in Europe. Look
carefully at the cathedral’s mosaic roof. Concerts are also
regularly held in the cathedral!
A few minutes walk from
Stephansplatz and we are already at Hofburg, which is one of the
largest palace complexes around the world. Indeed, it's impressive!
You can visit here, among others The Sisi Museum, the beloved Empress
of the Austrians, Imperial Apartments and see the Silverware
Collection.
Between Hofburg and the museum district at
Maria-Theresien-Platz, two majestic buildings will definitely draw
your attention: this is the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the
Naturhistorisches Museum. The first is considered one of the most
important art galleries around the world.
The Habsburgs summer
residence, Schloss Schönbrunn, is one of those places not to be
missed in Vienna. One of the most beautiful palaces in Europe offers
only 45 of over 1,400 chambers to visit, but they are impressive -
you can see, among others imperial rooms, bedrooms, living rooms,
representation rooms. No less interesting is the surroundings of the
Schloss Schönbrunn palace: you can stroll around the beautiful
gardens, visit the palm house, visit the world's oldest zoo
Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
Schloss Schönbrunn
Art
Albertina will certainly be an attraction for
art lovers - it is not only the former Habsburg residence, but also a
huge collection of drawings and graphics. You will see here the works
of Monet, Renoir, Dürer, Rubens, Klimt, Kokoschka and Picasso.
Gustav Klimt, The Kiss
An
impressive collection of artworks from the Middle Ages to modern
times can also be seen in the summer residence of Prince Eugene,
Schloss Belvedere.
It is also worth visiting the MuseumsQuartier,
which is one of the largest spaces dedicated to culture and art in
the world. This place is simply vibrant!
MuseumsQuartier
You
can also visit Vienna in the footsteps of the great composers - Beethoven, Mozart or Strauss. You can
visit The Beethoven Museum or the Pasqualatihaus
building, in which the famous symphonies and other works of Beethoven
were created. Being
in the world capital of music, we can also plan a visit to the Vienna
State Opera.
Tastes of Vienna
Sachertorte
What
about visiting Vienna along the culinary trail? There are plenty of
local and iconic flavors here! Tasting the Sachertorte is simply a
must. There is nothing better suited to this cake than delicious
Viennese coffee. Rich in taste Mozartkugel pralines and fresh Apfelstrudel are another must-have desserts.
You also should not leave Vienna without tasting the Vienna
schnitzel. It's also worth going to Naschmarkt. This is a real
culinary paradise in Vienna.
Little story about my Miami 2020 New Year event. We was planning this trip couple weeks. Actually it was my first time when I celebrated New Year event in Miami. Means warm weather. All my life I was celebrated New Year events in cold climate with snow. We was start our trip from Chicago with my best friends. In Chicago the weather was really cold. When we came to Miami we really was exited what weather was so cool and warm.
It was December 31 when we arrived to Miami and we didn't have enough time to prepare our New Year event. So we decided find some cool place to make New Year Party. We was find some one. It was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P58rGKbiL64 The Casino at Gulfstream Park. This place was amazing, there was a lot different food place. The food smells so good. So many different nationality people was there. I'm really recommended this place to celebrate any events. This event was perfect with many DJs, really good music, really nice food and very friendly people. In my life it was one of the best New Year party.
In my opinion New Year event in warm where is really different from cold one. You are filling so open mind and so comfortable. I will repeat this experience again next year for sure. Probably just change the place. We had very good vacation at this trip with so many funs. I love you MIAMI.
