JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
WHAT IS IT?
The month-long observance, which was first inducted on June 7, 1979, by President Jimmy Carter was christened as Black Music Month. The observance was created to recognize and celebrate the historical influence African-Americans have had on the music industry and is intended to pay homage to the many artists, writers, songs and albums that have inspired music lovers and shaped American pop culture.
Some notable St. Louis Musicians:
Chuck Berry
Known as a father of rock and roll music, Berry was one of the most influential guitarists of all time
Nelly
Nelly is a Grammy-winning hip-hop artist best known for his 2000 debut album, "Country Grammar," which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
Tina Turner
Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, having sold more than 200 million records worldwide. She is a 12-time Grammy winner and was ranked No. 17 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of the 100 greatest singers of all time.
Chingy
Ronnie and Ernie Isley
Musicians in soul group the Isley Brothers, which was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1992
Fontella Bass
R&B and soul singer best known for her 1965 hit, "Rescue Me."
Grace Bumbry
Grammy-winning opera singer
Miles Davis
An esteemed jazz trumpeter
Donny Hathaway
Hathaway was a soul singer who fronted tunes such as "The Ghetto" and "This Christmas”
Johnnie Johnson (a jazz and blues pianist who famously performed with Chuck Berry.)
Clark Terry
Terry was a swing and bebop trumpeter who appeared on over 900 recordings throughout his career of over 70 years. He was a mentor to musicians such as Quincy Jones and Miles Davis. )
Akon
Is a singer and record producer with multiple triple-platinum hits. He was launched into superstardom with his second album, "Konvicted."
Robert McFerrin Sr.
McFerrin was an opera singer who became the first African American man to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
