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Originally Posted by wildwood  Maybe they didn't mention it because it's just not true. I remember dancing in clubs and bars to Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Chubby Checkers, Diana Ross and the Supremes and many many more, that I, at the time, considered mainstream. Long before Michael Jackson was a anything more than a remote up and coming very young singer. Someone else mentioned Nat King Cole. I grew up listening to him and The Mills Brothers two of my mom's favorites. There was Harry Belafonte and Mahalia Jackson. Fats Domino and Satchmo. Lena Horne, Little Richard. All the Doo Wop singers. Stevie Wonder.
I loved Ray Charles. Still do.
Michael Jackson was big. He was extremely talented. He was, however, not first. |
How many teenagers had to sneak around to listen to the musicians you mentioned? How many teenagers had to covertly buy the music because their parents didn't think the "black" music was appropriate.
I'm seriously astounded that anyone that has any common sense and knowledge of history can't grasp that yes, Michael Jackson was indeed the first black artist to transcend race! Michael Jackson crossed and broke down so many barriers. Many of the singers you mention were very genre specific. The didn't have hits across all the charts--MJ did.