American Bands and Artists

José Feliciano: Singing Out, in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

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I generally consider someone a true artist if he or she has the courage to produce straight-from-the-soul work that is so provocative it’s likely to offend the masses, incite controversy, and, ideally, inspire people to open their minds and question long-held beliefs. When you think of such artists, Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano doesn’t immediately spring to mind. Yet, he made an artistic statement 46 years ago this month that was viewed with such contention that it nearly ended his career. His offense? He performed a soulful, Latin jazz version of “The Star Spangled Banner” to kick off the fifth game of the 1968 World Series, a matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers in the Motor City.

Marvelous Marv: Motown’s First Recording Artist

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When I was 6 years old, the lady who lived in the apartment above ours gave me a stack of old 45s she no longer wanted. One of my favorites from the bunch was, and still is, Marv Johnson’s “Merry Go Round.” Ever heard of him? Well, you should have, because he was the first artist to release a record on the label that would come to be known as Motown.

Sam Cooke: Calling on Cupid

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When you’re looking for a last-chance miracle to draw a crush object close to your heart, who do you call upon but Cupid, the god of desire, erotic love, and affection. In 1961, silky-smoky-voiced Sam Cooke penned his soulful plea to the boy with the bow and arrow, asking him to work his magic. Combining Latin rhythms with jazz and R&B, Sam created a perfect pop song. How could Cupid not fulfill his desperate wish? Here’s a man who’s in distress, in danger of losing all his happiness. For he loves a girl who doesn’t know he exists. And it’s all up to Cupid to fix. This really hits home, doesn’t it? How many of us have pined for someone – a person we probably saw every day at school or at work – who was barely aware of our existence?

When The Band Pulled Into Nazareth

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In 1968, The Band sang about pulling into Nazareth, “feelin’ ’bout half past dead.” Robbie Robertson wrote that lyric for The Band’s most enduring song, “The Weight,” but he wasn’t referring to the Holy Land. Rather, he was paying homage to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, home of guitar maker C.F. Martin & Company. Well, maybe it’s a holy place, after all – at least to musicians.