Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson The Revolution Will Finally Be Televised By Jay S. Jacobs “The revolution will not be televised.” When recording artist and poet Gil Scott-Heron first wrote that line in 1970, he probably wasn’t thinking of the Harlem Cultural Festival, which had been run the summer before. Or perhaps he was, as he was … Continue reading
SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) (2021) Featuring Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Mavis Staples, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Rock, Sal Masakela, Sheila E., Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Denise Oliver-Velez and archival footage of Nina Simone, BB King, David Ruffin, The Fifth Dimension, Mahalia Jackson, Moms Mabley, Abbey Lincoln, … Continue reading
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Not So Silly Love Songs – Taking ‘Blackbird’ to New Heights By Mark Mussari Fifty years ago, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. did something they’d never done before. As the de facto lead singers of the legendary 5th Dimension, the couple covered Paul McCartney’s “Every Night” on the … Continue reading
