Aint Nothing Like The Real Thing

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment celebrates the seventy-five year history of the Apollo Theater, Harlem's landmark performing arts space and the iconic showplace for the best in jazz, blues, dance, comedy, gospel, R & B, hip-hop, and more since it opened its doors in 1934. This beautifully illustrated book is the companion volume to an exhibition of the same name, organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in collaboration with the Apollo Theater Foundation. It offers a sweeping panorama of American cultural achievement from the Harlem Renaissance to the present through the compelling story of a single institution. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing brings together a diverse group of twenty-four writers to discuss the theater's history and its intersection with larger social and political issues within Harlem and the nation. Featuring more than 300 photographs, this volume brings to life the groundbreaking entertainers in music, dance, and comedy—Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, James Brown, Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx, Honi Coles, and Savion Glover, to name a few—who made the Apollo the icon that it is today. The Apollo Theater has been the setting for soaring achievement and creativity in the face of enormous challenges. In telling this truly American story, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing is a celebration of the lasting contributions of African Americans to the nation's cultural life.

Provides the melody line, chords, and lyrics for seventy-two Motown hits from such artists as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, and the Supremes.

The second half of the twentieth century saw a great number of powerful vocal pairings as short-lived but undeniably magical collaborations. Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999 uncovers the stories behind 110 of the most memorable duets between otherwise independent musical artists. Whether the two artists came together for only one song or for many, the story of each duet’s inception, the collaboration process, and the song’s success and promotion paint a dynamic portrait of each artist and the music they created. Focusing on songs that made it into the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100 between 1955 and 1999, this encyclopedic work includes such classics as Nat “King” Cole and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s “The Girl Is Mine,” and Mick Jagger and David Bowie’s “Dancing in the Street.” Arranged alphabetically from Bryan Adams to Dottie West, the entries feature firsthand interviews with many of the artists, including Dolly Parton, Neil Sedaka, Eddie Money, and Billy Vera. The book also includes photographs of many of the records and/or the performers and chart and label information. An appendix lists honorable mentions of twosomes that did not reach Top 100 but should not be overlooked or those whose duet partners played more of a minor role. As a chronicle of the best pop vocal pairings from the second half of the twentieth century, Dynamic Duets is a must-read for vinyl collectors, music historians, and classic hits radio DJs, and music lovers of all ages.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.

Both a love story and a wartime chronicle, this powerful novel reveals the effects of the Vietnam War on a group of friends living in a small town in Ohio. As the 1970 draft lottery nears, the young men must examine their views of war and consider the fate that awaits them; the young women face the possibility of losing their husbands, boyfriends, and friends. Each member of the group embarks on a personal search that will bring very real and very adult conflict and pain and strip away their youthful naiveté. The enormity of this war contrasted with the microcosm of one small town exposes the ambivalence of characters who are at war with themselves.

A Call to the Black Man Give ear to what I'm about to say What in the world happened? It's not supposed to be this way. We fought so hard for freedom And you have put me back in chains Commitment, trust, seems to be bad words. I'm in bondage to your mind games Remember, you have a mother, sister, or daughter But it was me you gave the ring. I have come to this conclusion I don't need a king TO BE A QUEEN! I've had to raise the children alone Like when the master sold you astray Now I have to look for you And again you've become a runaway A man that can walk out on his family Is a part of slavery's aftermath? But enough with the dumb stuff The past is the past. I am still that woman Who made you feel like a man? Now you are so out of place Still, you want me to understand. Another form of rejection I'm asking myself "what's wrong with me" Why am I always to blame? For your misplaced priorities? Either you get it together Either you are right or you are wrong. I can raise the children with you. I should not have to do it alone. Come inside these pages. Allow me to tailor you to fit Coming from the strength of this Whole Woman. I should not be penalized for it I'm going to speak to the Whole Man in you Like I do in our time of intimacy. That's when I give you the freedom to be you And you give me the freedom to be me. Men are checking me out "right now" Making statements and, my, how they do flatter. They ask "Why are you alone or single?" Realize! I do have a choice in the matter. I was asked if I were to define the book WHOLE in one sentence, what would I say? "WHOLE is a groundbreaking, ground shaking, revolution that demands results!" "I recall the day as though it was yesterday. I stood in the mirror looking at a reflection of defeat never knowing if I would reach my God-ordained destiny. All my dreams, hopes, and desires devastated. I was distrait, frail, and I had gone from a size 12 to a size 6. I was beyond distressed I was destroyed. Lifelines can come in many ways. I knew I wanted and needed to come out, but I didn't know how. This is the time when I had to get real with myself and everyone else-so I threw out a lifeline. I made a simple telephone call to a friend and the Revolution began!"

Firsthand sources are brought together to illuminate the diversity of American history in a unique way—by sharing the perspectives of people of color who participated in landmark events. This invaluable, four-volume compilation is a comprehensive source of documents that give voice to those who comprise the American mosaic, illustrating the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Each volume focuses on a major racial/ethnic group: African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Latinos. Documents chosen by the editors for their utility and relevance to popular areas of study are organized into chronological periods from historical to contemporary. The collection includes eyewitness accounts, legislation, speeches, and interviews. Together, they tell the story of America's diverse population and enable readers to explore historical concepts and contexts from multiple viewpoints. Introductions for each volume and primary document provide background and history that help students understand and critique the material. The work also features a useful primary document guide, bibliographies, and indices to aid teachers, librarians, and students in class work and research.

Notes are fundamental to the making of music, but it’s not just the notes that fascinate us. We love to learn about the musicians who use them to make great music and entertain us. Felix Schrodinger and Pyotr Stilovsky have compiled in this, the third volume of the series, a compendium of information that will appeal to all who love music and especially to those who seek out knowledge for its own sake.

Music directory with records for artists, titles, labels and year of release for 45 RPM records published between 1947 and 1982.