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Scott Alexander

Lucille Bogan ( Bessie Jackson)

For Students 9th - 10th
Information on the life and discography of blues artist Lucille Bogan, also known as Bessie Jackson. Includes audio samples.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Coasters

For Students 9th - 10th
Extremely popular from 1956-1961, the Coasters were a black vocal group with Jewish songwriters. Their music, which was a mixture of rhythm & blues, comedy and rock & roll, dominated the music scene of that time.
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PBS

Pbs: This Far by Faith: Thomas Dorsey

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Thomas Dorsey, the man known as "the father of gospel music," from the producers of "This Far by Faith," a series on African-American spiritual journeys. (The series premiered on PBS stations in June 2003.) The site...
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PBS

Classics for Kids: George Gershwin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of George Gershwin (1898-1937 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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Other

The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website

For Students 9th - 10th
Even though it is unauthorized, this is an exceptional site about jazz singer Billie Holiday. Included in this site is information about her life, her music and other resources leading to this jazz legend.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Bo Diddley

For Students 9th - 10th
Creator of the "Bo Diddley beat", this rock & roller was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987. Here is a brief biographical sketch of his life.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Bill Monroe

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers interesting biographical background details on "the father of bluegrass music", Bill Monroe, a 1997 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Hank Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
Read detailed biographical information on country/blues/folk music star, Hank Williams, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes an essential songs list.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Isley Brothers

For Students 9th - 10th
Originally from Cincinnati, The Isley Brothers had their breakthrough hit in 1962 with "Shout". Over the years, the group consisted of various family members and in 1969 won a Grammy for "It's Your Thing". They remain one of the most...
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Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: America Rocks and Rolls

For Students 5th - 8th
Read a brief history of rock and roll and its roots. See why this form of music shook the establishment and shattered the idea of conformity.
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Other

Famous Singers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical profiles of famous singers in major musical genres. Includes photo and links to snippets of their songs.
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Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Billie Holiday Was Born

For Students 9th - 10th
Billie Holiday is one of the most well-known blues singers of all time. Visit this Library of Congress site for more about her early years and some great photographs.
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Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: Famous Guitarists

For Students 9th - 10th
Kids learn about famous guitarist on this site. Some of the best musicians to ever play the guitar.
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Other

Bluegrass Net

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete online music site that contains bluesgrass lyrics, news, festival information, and links.
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Library of Congress

Loc: Patriotic Melodies

For Students 9th - 10th
The Library of Congress site profiles 26 American patriotic songs with commentary, supporting visual material, and recordings of "America the Beautiful," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the like.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Drifters

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered one of the greatest vocal groups of the 1950s and 1960s, The Drifters were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and have three songs on the list of the top 500 most influential songs.
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: George Gershwin

For Students 3rd - 8th
Interested in popular and serious music, Gershwin (1898-1937) played a big part in bringing jazz to a more important place in American music. He helped mix it with classical music in his compositions. Read more about his work, including...
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Other

Koko Taylor Talks About Her Subjects

For Students 9th - 10th
Article and interview first published in Clockwork Review about Koko Taylor's, "Queen of the Blues", career.
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Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame: Jimmie Rodgers

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Father Of Country Music", Jimmy Rodgers had a successful musical career. Read more about his life and music at this site. Included is a biography, a discography, and a small photo gallery.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: w.c. Handy

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features W.C. Handy, an African American composer who changed the course of popular music by integrating the blues idiom into then-fashionable ragtime music. Among his best-known works is the...
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Other

Sam and Dave

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief look at the career Sam and Dave, one of the most influential soul acts of the 1960s. Links to other significant names in soul music, too.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: The Soul Stirrers

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica's Guide to Black History features the Soul Stirrers, an American gospel group who were one of the first male quintets and one of the most enduring male groups. Several singers emerged from the...
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Bo Diddley

For Students 9th - 10th
Life and musical career of the influential Bo Diddley.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Louis Jordan

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Louis Jordan, an American saxophonist-singer prominent in the 1940s and '50s who was a seminal figure in the development of both rhythm and blues and rock and roll. The bouncing, rhythmic...

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