Kevin D. Greene
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2019
- ISBN:
- 9781469646497
- eISBN:
- 9781469646510
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/northcarolina/9781469646497.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, African-American History
Between the turn of the twentieth century to his death in 1958, William “Big Bill Broonzy” was one of the most successful and recorded bluesmen of the period. Widley regarded as the most important of ...
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Between the turn of the twentieth century to his death in 1958, William “Big Bill Broonzy” was one of the most successful and recorded bluesmen of the period. Widley regarded as the most important of all pre-WWII blues artists, Broonzy’s long and remarkable career offer a glimpse into the development of African American celebrity within modern American history. Big Bill, in conjunction with and sometimes in opposition against a host of promoters, producers, academicians, and audiences, invented and reinvented his identity across his career in a remarkably fluid way. Each audience and generation brought its own expectations with them as they consumed Big Bill’s music and discovered his humanity. Broonzy’s long and unapparelled career stemmed from his ability to recognize these expectations, use them to his own advantage, and, in turn, transform his self-presentation and evolving black consciousness into modern celebrity.Less
Between the turn of the twentieth century to his death in 1958, William “Big Bill Broonzy” was one of the most successful and recorded bluesmen of the period. Widley regarded as the most important of all pre-WWII blues artists, Broonzy’s long and remarkable career offer a glimpse into the development of African American celebrity within modern American history. Big Bill, in conjunction with and sometimes in opposition against a host of promoters, producers, academicians, and audiences, invented and reinvented his identity across his career in a remarkably fluid way. Each audience and generation brought its own expectations with them as they consumed Big Bill’s music and discovered his humanity. Broonzy’s long and unapparelled career stemmed from his ability to recognize these expectations, use them to his own advantage, and, in turn, transform his self-presentation and evolving black consciousness into modern celebrity.
John Williamson and Martin Cloonan
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9781784991326
- eISBN:
- 9781526120786
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9781784991326.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, Social History
This chapter outlines the AMU’s history immediately post 1918 and its moves towards merger with the National Orchestral Union of Professional Musicians (NOUPM) to form the Musician’s Union (MU) in ...
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This chapter outlines the AMU’s history immediately post 1918 and its moves towards merger with the National Orchestral Union of Professional Musicians (NOUPM) to form the Musician’s Union (MU) in 1921. It examines the resignation of Joe Williams and the problems faced by his successor as General Secretary, E.S.Teale and his successor, Fred Dambman. Changes within the music profession as musical tastes change are outlined. The advent of broadcasting is discussed and the BBC’s developing role as a key employer of musicians is highlighted. The development of the recording industry is discussed and the crisis in musical employment caused by the advent of the “talkies” in the cinema outlined. Problems caused for the Union by “alien” musicians working in the UK are noted.Less
This chapter outlines the AMU’s history immediately post 1918 and its moves towards merger with the National Orchestral Union of Professional Musicians (NOUPM) to form the Musician’s Union (MU) in 1921. It examines the resignation of Joe Williams and the problems faced by his successor as General Secretary, E.S.Teale and his successor, Fred Dambman. Changes within the music profession as musical tastes change are outlined. The advent of broadcasting is discussed and the BBC’s developing role as a key employer of musicians is highlighted. The development of the recording industry is discussed and the crisis in musical employment caused by the advent of the “talkies” in the cinema outlined. Problems caused for the Union by “alien” musicians working in the UK are noted.
