lance davis wrote:
> Or, you could say Louis Jordan, who may qualify as the 20th Century's most
> influential performer that most people tend to forget. His impact in the
> black community was especially remarkable, and the list of performers who
> consider him a PRIMARY influence include: Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, BB King,
> James Brown, and Nat Cole. I believe he had 17 number one hits between 1947
> and the birth of rock 'n' roll, and it was his misfortune to be black at a
> time when blacks were rarely able to translate their influence into dollars
> and cents. Louis Jordan is THE link between the swing music of the '30's and
> the rock 'n' roll of the '50's. Was it jazz? Was it R&B? Was it really just
> rock 'n' roll? Whatever you wanna call it, his jumpin music has stood the
> test of time even if his name hasn't.
Amen, Lance. And Louis Jordan's not forgotten in these parts, at least not when
the best, most consistent local public radio show for a number of years, "The
Saturday Night Fish Fry", begins every show with that song. (On both Friday and
Saturday nights)
Still, I think you've managed to merge two long threads into "the single most
criminally underrecognized influential 20th century pop musician." Good job! <g>
b.s.
n.p. Love Nut BALTIMUCHO!
