None of this is to say that each generation does not have its own ground breakers. However many doors were opened for the Jackson Five and Michael by an earlier generation of performers that broke the wall down between 'black' and 'white' music. Were they as well rounded as performers? Most never had the opportunity of having the door already open, they spent much of their lives butting their heads against that wall of prejudice. Who were these great music men and women? First and foremost was Nat King Cole, his television show did more for other Afro American musicians than any singer before or after. Leslie Ughams also opened doors as she appeared regularly on the Mitch Miller Show. Those two singers are often forgotten in the struggle to modernize the racial battle. Yes they sang 'white' music for the most part, but there were also men and women that sang what at that time was called 'black' music that opened doors. For pop music, there would have been no Michael Jackson if there had not been a fifties singer named Sam Cooke. Michael would never have been tolerated as a caricature of himself if there had not been a 'Little Richard'.
Having expressed this history I must say I was a Michael fan from the time I first heard 'ABC'. Through the years I have loved a number of his songs and even at one time in my life lusted after him. I am not old enough to remember many of the men and women that cracked open the door for the performers in the fifties, but I have heard their names and seen an occasional performance or recording. Today may not be the time to remember them, still I hope we never forget Sammy Davis Jr., Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, etc. For many people of the generation that grew up in the forties and fifties there will always be a battle with the younger generation about who was greater, Michael Jackson or Sammy Davis Jr..
I don't want to say an other thing about Afro-American men, I hope that the old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words is true. Tonight I bring you many beautiful men that help make America what it is, at least my little corner.
