On May 22nd, in 1967, we lost a seminal Harlem Renaissance writer, poet, novelist, author, activist, columnist, essayist and one of the pioneers of jazz poetry: poems that exhibit jazz rhythms through words and evoke the feeling of improvisation-Langston Hughes (James Mercer Langston Hughes). TOV covered the author’s birthday on the February 1st post. Please refer to it for more information. Hughes is most known for his poetry, short stories and novels. He also was a prominent figure in the civil rights struggle. He was a communist that was feared by the American power structure for his ability to educate and mobilize people of color in America. The Soviet Union welcomed numerous Black artists and launched a propaganda campaign that was targeted towards showing Blacks how different and better life could be for them under communist rule.
1932, Hughes traveled there in hopes of participating in making a film that was going to be funded by the Soviets. However, in 1933, the USA set up an embassy in Moscow and the Soviets decided to do away with the film. Hughes stayed and traveled the all over the Soviet Union, Japan and China. He returned to the states to see several of his poems and short stories published in the CPUSA periodical (Communist Party USA). He even traveled to Spain to help support their efforts through his writings during their Civil War (1937). He was a supporter of Joseph Stalin. He also was an active member of the American Peace Mobilization where he spoke out in an attempt to prevent the USA from participating in WWII. He was very much against Jim Crow laws and similar systematic US discrimination practices. He was 65 when he passed.
| | |
On May 22nd, in 1966, 80s/90s R&B mogul, duet vocalist with Stacy Lattisaw, singer, actor, producer, songwriter, former member of New Edition, LSG and Heads of State-Johnny Gill Jr. AKA J.G.-Johnny G. was born in Washington, D.C. He’s most known for his vocals on New Edition’s Heart Break LP (MCA Records, 1988). It's a classic album that was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions. Johnny’s also an infamous balladeer and songwriter. He got his start singing in the church when he was 5. You can hear his gospel roots in his secular music. He made it an integral component of his vocal style. He was the lead singer for a gospel group with his siblings called-Little Johnny & the Wings of Faith. Members included his brothers: Jeff, Bobby and Randy-who’s a member of II D Extreme.
He became good friends with Stacy Lattisaw in his early teens. They recorded a demo together in 1982. In 1983, he landed a deal with Atlantic Records and released his self-titled debut. In 1984, Stacy Lattisaw and Gill released Perfect Combination-a duet LP that contains the title track which was a huge hit. In 1985, he released his second solo LP-Chemistry. Michael Bivins heard his voice and recruited him to replace Bobby Brown in New Edition. He came in and solidified the group taking them from a boys band to a legitimate R&B vocal group. In the 90s, he went solo and took on the New Jack Swing style (perfected by Teddy Riley), before forming LSG with Gerald LeVert & Keith Sweat in 1997. He started acting in the early 2000s and has appeared in movies and plays with Robin Givens and Shirley Murdock (Zapp). He’s 52 today.
| | |
On May 22nd, in 1947, session musician, drummer, percussionist, educator, former member of the Amazer’s, The Esquire’s, The Mystics, The Gypsy, Sly & the Family Stone, Robin Trower, Ike & Tina Turner, Bobby Womack and the Dave Steffen Band-Bill Lordan was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s one of the first musicians credited with bringing the Minneapolis scene to light that was made famous by Prince & the Time. He’s played drums on several songs from the 60s to the 80s. He played with the Esquire’s on their hit single-Get on Up (1967). He was a drummer for Sly & the Family Stone, and is featured on their 7th LP-Small Talk (1974). Some notable songs off this LP include-Time for Livin’, Loose Booty and Can’t Strain My Brain (Andy Newmark is also credited as a drummer on this LP).
He also played on Ike & Tina Turner’s 1974 single-Sexy Ida. He’s definitely a funk drummer with a prog rock foundation. Bobby Womack was one of the last soul acts he played with in the 70s on his 1975 single-I Don’t Know What the World is Coming To. After 1975, he joined Robin Trower's band and stayed with him for every LP he recorded from 1975 to 1981. In 1983 he joined the Darrell Mansfield Band. He played with the Dave Steffen Band in the 90s, before forming his own band in 2000-The Bill Lordan Experiment. He also educated aspiring musicians on the art of drumming by making an instructional video in 1994-The Bill Lordan Drum Beat Instruction Video. He’s 72 today.
| | |
HONORABLE MENTION: On May 22nd, in 1930, jazz musician, trumpeter, vocalist, sideman, recording artist, arranger, composer, bandleader and founder of Kenny Ball & the Jazzmen-Kenny Ball (Kenneth Daniel Ball) was born in Ilford, Essex, England. He’s most known for reviving and preserving the Dixieland Jazz style in the UK. He’s recorded for Kapp, Pye and Fontana Records, releasing a couple dozen LPs from 1960 (Invitation to the Ball-Pye Records) to 1979 (Cheers!-Ronco Records). He’s played with other artists like: Louis Armstrong, Terry Lightfoot and Eric Delaney. He was 82 when he passed (2013).
On May 22nd, in 1939, actor, writer, activist, voiceover actor, Emmy, Academy, NAACP and Black Reel Award winner-Paul (Edward) Winfield was born in Los Angeles, CA. TOV covered the actor’s death on the March 7th post. Please refer to it for more information. The voice/narrator for City Confidential (1999-2004) was a a highly talented man that made sure he accurately depicted the Black Experience in America in the films and TV shows he starred in during the 70s and 80s. In the 90s, he branched out into family shows, comedy, dramatic series and sci-fi. He’s been featured on the Simpsons, Star Trek and Spider Man. He was 64 when he passed.
On May 22nd, in 1941, singer, dancer and co-founding member of the Chantels-Jackie Landry Jackson (Jacqulyn Jackson) was born in The Bronx, NYC, NY. She’s most known for being a member of one of the first successful all-female singing groups of color in the U.S. She got her start singing in church with her fellow band members. The Chantels were a doo wop group from the late 50s. Jackson became a Bronx Criminal Court employee during the late 70s. In the late 80s, she saw a revival in doo wop and began to perform again. The Chantels have appeared on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ballot several times, but have yet to secure enough votes to be inducted. She was 56 when she passed.
On May 22nd, in 1948, we lost a seminal author, journalist, poet and literary figure from the Harlem Renaissance period-Claude McKay (Festus Claudis McKay). He’s most known for the novels he wrote like: Home to Harlem (1928), his short stories-Gingertown (1932), his autobiography-A Long Way from Home (1937) and his book of poetry-Harlem Shadows (1922). One of his most powerful writings was published posthumously in 2017-Amiable: A Novel of the Love Affair Between the Communists and the Poor Black Sheep of Harlem. A communist himself-McKay was systemically silenced by the American so-called democratic power structure. He was 58 when he passed.
For more information on any musician or event reviewed in posts, or for additional information on The Wandering Eyes Blog overall, use the search bar and search the artist or event using keywords. It’s like a Google search for the site. A wide variety of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE