The Unexpected Death of Marvin Gaye

It was a tragic day for music on April 1, 1984. Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father Marvin Gay Sr. It happen in the West Adams district of Los Angeles over an altercation that Marvin the son stepped into Between an elder Gay and his mother Albeta. Marvin was shot in his home at Gramercy Place. Gaye was shot twice, both shots were very fatal to Marvin and was named dead on arrival once ambulances and police showed up moments after the shooting. 

Gayes death proved to have huge impact on the music genre of rnb music. Motown lost a legend in Marvin Gaye. Gaye was given a burial in Forest Lawn Cemetary out in Southern California. Later Gaye had his ashes cremated and spread out all over the Pacific Ocean. Marvin's brother Frankie and his wife Irene heard the gun shots in the house next to the Gay's that night. When Irene went out after hearing the gun shots over to the house she was brought to see the tragic, crying, and screaming mother of Marvin saying "He shot my son!" As cops arrived Irene quickly told of where the gun was that the father used to shoot Marvin with. It was found under his pillow and as soon as cops got to the scene Gay Sr. was brought right in for questioning. 

Four days later Marvin had a star-studded funeral with over 10,000 mourners and a along them were a few friends from his Motown days such as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Motown CEO Berry Gordy. Starting with his soul-full music with being discovered by Bo Diddley, in a nightclub downtown in D.C.  With no number 1's on billboard however, with Gaye's early success it was true to be said he was a "hit maker." In 1963 Gaye had out a single called "Pride and Joy" which was a major hit in the spring of 1963 reaching top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. With success leading in the next couple years, in 1967 having a smashing first international hit with Kim Weston, "It takes two", which was made very famous and is song you could put a radio on today and hear it. Other notable hits such as "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" in 1967 also. Closing out his time within the next 15 years Marvin touched many people with his music all over the world. His music was thought to be soul-full and have his own smooth jazz and blues to it. The sudden death was a tragic day in Music and proved the end of a time period for a living legend. 

Sources: 

http://tracesofastream.blogspot.com/2008/07/death-of-marvin-gaye.html

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/celebrity/marvin_gaye/index.html

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/celebrity/marvin_gaye/13.html

www.google.com

http://www.marvingayepage.net/

Images:

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/celebrity/marvin_gaye/15.html

http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/marvin_gaye

Women's Rights NOW!

In the 60's in America, the Government regardless of the women's movement from either the external or the internal situations of this movement. They all are reaching maturity. Therefore, in 1966, Betty Friedan and others started an organization in order to push the women rights movement forward called the National Organization for Women.
National Organizations for Women members mainly came from middle-class women who held professional positions and middle-aged women. Most of them shared similar family background, level of education, life experiences, as well as their inferior position in the society of male chauvinism. These women worked hard at their work but got paid for only half of their male coworkers. Being tired of this situation, This group of women joined this organization which had the goal, "to take the necessary action to introduce women of the United States mainstream society, to enable them to make real men of equal status." Its strategy, to let women enter the mainstream of society, is to use the existing political system, in particular the use of its legal system, to destroy gender discrimination through law suits. The other civil rights group at the time, NAACP, was also using legal method to combat the discrimination from the mainstream world. The similarities they both had (moderate use of the means to achieve the purpose of integration into mainstream society, the similarities with their members background and the social strata of the political experience) had made them closely related through out the 60's.
Later in 1967, The NOW took a step further. It demanded, in its first national people's congress, to have equal rights amendment passed as soon as possible and urges the federal government to ensure that women's equal opportunities in employment are implemented in all states.

Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Organization_for_Women

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Friedan

Motown Mystique in 2011

On January 12, 1959 Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in Hitsville, USA (Otherwise known as Detroit). Motown focused on creating a label for black pop singers to thrive under; and they succeeded. Signing such acts as Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and even The Jackson 5, it soon became clear that Motown was a big player in the game of pop during the 1960's. It seemed that every Motown song became a hit. American listeners trusted the label, and Gordy continued to deliver.

In the twenty first century, there is no label that monopolizes radio stations quite like Motown did in the sixties. However, Americans today have the same connection to music they are familiar with. Instead of falling in love with a label, listeners have evolved into falling in love with the artist.

When you search a familiar artist on Itunes, a list of their songs appears at your fingertips. This was not the case in the sixties. Listeners primarily listened to whatever radio hosts decided to play. Only if they bought an album would they associate directly with the artist. Americans trusted the style of music, not necessarily the artists themselves. And Motown had style. A Motown artist was guaranteed fame, unlike today where artists must stake out a name for themselves.

Popular acts of Motown vs Artists of 2011

In today's music industry, it is much harder to get into the position of Motown artists. Singers must compose hit after hit before America trusts that every single they put out will be appealing. Record labels do little in the modern era. Artists now must make a name for themselves. Only then will then find immediate success with their latest releases.

Motown did something extraordinary in the 1960's. Not only did they develop a label under which artists would undoubtedly find success, but also revolutionized the music industry for a generation.

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1870975,00.html

Images
http://childofthesixtiesforeverandever.blogspot.com/2009/08/sixties-entertainment.html
http://www.rokpool.com/category/tags/martha-and-vandellas
http://www.the-temptations.com/
http://www.soulsummer.com/marvin-gaye/
http://biographydvd.com/taylor-swift-biography/
http://rihannaimages.blogspot.com/
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/09/28/lil_wayne_speaks_from_prison
http://remix.vg/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/chris-brown.jpg

The game that came with the fame.

After taking the UK by storm, The Beatles decided it was time take on the the fast life with tours, star power, and of course, music. With Please Please Me reaching number 2 on the UK charts after the dropping on March 22 1963, the team thought it was time to reach out with a nationwide tour. Even after years later a allmusic reviewer said that the album is simply "timeless". Lennon said little thought went into the making of the album Please Please Me. He said "McCartney and I were just writing songs to make no more then a sound." 

The Beatles toured the UK three times in the beginning half of the year in 1963. A Four week tour that began in February preceded with three week tours in March , May and June. As word got out and as the four took every stage another crowd was pleased and had falling in love and in the swirl of there musical takeover. As there popularity spread a name got out that was fitting for the grouple, "Beatlemania." Although not yet being tour leaders, they overshadowed other acts that they would follow such as Tommy Roe, Chris Montez, who both had a strong UK following from performing. During Beatles performances cops thought it was necessary to use high pressure water hoses to control the crowds. When the Beatles would perform it was like nothing that ever has happened with the crowds screaming outrageously and cops putting there lifes in danger it was clear to all that the Beatles were the next huge thing.

With the Beatles returning back to UK in the late 1963, all the way up to 1966 they were met every time by thousands of friends that one officer said he could describe it as "a scene similar to a shark-feeding frenzy."By the time they would get home to the UK, they would already be making there plans for the next tour, an by this time there was no telling who the headliners were. Please Please Me stayed at the top charts for thirty weeks but only to be replaced by the album "With the Beatles" , which held the top spot for 21 weeks showing the influence the Beatles had on the 60's music. 

Sources:

www.google.com

www.the60sofficialsite.com 

google images

www.beatles.com

Beatles Taking the Backstreet?

In the 1964, an English band, The Beatles, took America by storm. George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr comprised the group which stormed radio stations and record players for millions of Americans to hear. They were so popular that concerts rarely lasted over a half hour amidst a sea of screaming teenage girls. The Beatles were inspired by the Rock 'n' Roll styles of famous American musicians of the fifties. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard all contributed to the sound of the Beatles.


Much of the success of the group came from songwriting of Lennon and McCartney. They had more number one singles than Elvis Presley. Their music was unique, especially after being introduced to drugs such as marijuana and LSD. It seemed that every song The Beatles released climbed the charts instantaneously. Soon, the overwhelming crowds of young girls became too much for the innovative band. Barely being able to hear themselves play irked the band until finally they refrained from live concerts. They focused their efforts on recording in the studio, producing hit after hit.

The Beatles were a revolution in the 1960's. Girls went crazy over the band. Their appearance, music, and dancing were too much for many teens to handle. Almost forty years later, a similar phenomenon gripped America. In 1996, the Backstreet Boys dropped their first album. The record quickly reached the top of the charts in several countries, however they did not gain fame in the United States for two years. A little reminiscent of The Beatles who gained popularity in England before crossing the pond, the similarities between the two boy bands does not stop there. Fashion and personality were major attributed for both bands. Taking a page out of The Beatles' book, the Backstreet Boys too dressed in identical outfits.

The Beatles White Album
vs.
The Backstreet Boys Millennium Album

Luckily, the Backstreet Boys could perform live with less stress than The Beatles faced. New advances in stereo technology allowed speakers to drown out the thousands of screaming girls, though their numbers were greater than those The Beatles attempted to perform in front of.










In many ways, the Backstreet Boys learned and improved on The Beatles methods of entertaining. Though it can be argued that their music was not as sophisticated, it is no question that the Backstreet Boys reached the same level of popularity as The Beatles. The album "Backstreet Boys" sold over 14 million copies. The Beatles came close with "Abbey Road" selling 12 million copies. This statistic makes it clear that the Backstreet Boys gave the revolutionary sixties band a run for their money. However, it was the pioneering techniques of The Beatles which led to the success of the Backstreet boys in the late twentieth and early twenty first century. The Backstreet Boys should be thankful that The Beatles pioneered the boy band, and it is obvious that The Beatles will always be the band to idolize.

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-beatles/bio/
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/backstreet-boys-biography/73228d6cedaf10624825686d0006ecd8
http://www.classicbands.com/bestsellers.html

Images
http://aribeqz.blogspot.com/
http://aloftyexistence.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/top-male-singers-of-the-decade-2000-2010/
http://losslessalbum.com/2010/09/19/the-beatles-white-album-1968.html
http://www.amazon.com/Millennium-Backstreet-Boys/dp/B00000IOOE
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Beatles/+images/2588646
http://www.newsmild.com/last-beatles-concert/update-news.html
http://neonlimelight.com/2009/10/31/live-shots-backstreet-boys-treat-fans-to-concert-in-madrid/

Another year to wait, another year to remember.

1952 Division 1 mens basketball tournament consisted of 16 teams.  Univeristy of Kansas played St. Johns and won their first national basketball title in school history.  They won 80-63.  Kansas being the under seed beat Santa Clara the second seed in the semifinals.  This was their first of three national titles including one in 1988 and 2008.

Under their coach Bill Self KU men's basketball went 35-2  and 14-2 in their conference.  Leading to the postseason KU was the impressive #1 seed of the NCAA tournament, and looking to have that championship run with the McMorris brothers leading the way.  Having an upset lose against Virginia Commonwealth was a heartbreak defeat for the team that many thought had the best chance to win the national title.  Having one of the toughest teams in school history there upset loss was a tough one.  

Having over 40 NCAA division 1 tournament appearances this program started off in 1952 with there big win over St. Johns and led them to a very successful basketball program in the years to come.  Kansas has produced over 50 NBA players including Paul Pierce and Wilt Chamberlin, two of the best players the game has ever seen.  Kansas basketball is one of the greatest college men's basketball programs ever and their prestiges history all started with their first NCAA title in 1952.

Sources:

www.google.com

www.espn.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NCAA_Men%27s_Division_I_Basketball_Tournament

www.sportsillustrated.com

http://www.kansan.com/photos/galleries/2010/mar/12/looking-back-through-ku-mens/

Happily Ever After in the 50's

Throughout the fifties, America strived to achieve an image of perfection. Families depicted on television had a happy, functional home, which all Americans desired. This same concept could be seen on the big screen. Movies too looked to portray idyllic situations. America looked to one company in particular for such concepts: The Walt Disney Company.

The fifties were the most successful years for Disney. With America finally out of the Great Depression, people were eager to spend money on movies that had a happy ending. To start off the decade, Disney put out Cinderella in 1950. The story about a poor, unlucky young woman becoming a princess was just what the nation desired.

The next year, Disney unveiled Alice in Wonderland . The exotic colors and mind-blowing plot enticed moviegoers to spend money on the spectacle.

In 1953, Disney put a colorful, heart-warming spin on the play Peter Pan. It was no wonder that Americans flocked to theaters to see the film. The plot revolved around the adventures of a young boy who was unable to grow up. At the time, many middle aged Americans were jealous of their younger counterparts who were able to live frivolously, as opposed to under the clenched fist of the Great Depression.

One of Disney’s most successful movies ever came in 1955 with Lady and the Tramp. It was not just the story of a mangy mutt finding love with a ravishing, wealthy purebred dog. Rather, it symbolized the dream of many Americans at the time. A person, no matter what his beginnings, could achieve wealth and happiness.

Sleeping Beauty hit theaters in 1959. The last film of the decade, it once a gain had a happy ending filled with love. The villain is defeated, and the hero and his girl live happily ever after. The colors and images were the most vivid of all movies produced by Disney at the time.


Disney knew exactly what the country wanted at the time. Americans were ready to spend their newly regained wealth on movies that were eye catching, or those which portrayed an animated version of an underdog achieving the American dream. However, Disney films also had some undesirable tones of the fifties. For one, all of the women portrayed in Disney movies at this time only found happiness and prosperity by clinging on to a man. Race was also an issue. No heroes or heroines were of any descent besides Caucasian. Though Disney had major success during this period, Americans’ opinions were evident in the plots and characters of Disney films.

Check It Out! Disney Tutti Frutti

Info
http://classicfilm.about.com/od/childrensmovies/tp/Disney_Animated_Films_1950s.htm
Images
http://mdfazal.wordpress.com/category/animated/page/9/
http://students.ou.edu/A/Kateri.M.Arnaud-1/storybook2.html.html
http://www.top39.com/2010/09/peter-pan/
http://www.freewebs.com/thedisneyclassics/animatedclassics.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1094028/Disneys-Dames-As-Sleeping-Beauty-turns-50-reveal-stories-Walts-heroines-.html