James Baldwin (1924-1989)
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956)
Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
Fast 195 b/m
Slow 72 b/m
James Baldwin was born in Harlem, illegitimate, and raised by a harsh stepfather, who was a storefront preacher. James was a voracious reader and would sneak into the NY Public Library to find books. After many struggles with racism, identity (gay) and a friends suicide Baldwin found solace in Europe. In 1953 he wrote his first novel, a semi-autobiographical account, Go Tell It On the Mountain, in Switzerland. This novel depicts the conflict between a fictitious preacher and his son with much of Baldwin's own life imbedded in the plot. It also revealed much of the struggle of poor Southern rural African Americans migrating to equally impoverished urban slums in the north.
Jackson Pollock was born in Cody, WY, but grew up in AZ and Southern CA. He studied with his brother Charles under Thomas Hart Benton and was influenced some of the Mexican muralists like Siqueiros and Rivera. Pollock worked in the WPA Federal Art Project in the 1930's. He suffered from severe depression which led to alcoholism. In the 1940's he chanced upon his drip/pour style that evolved into huge murals in what is called abstract impressionism. "Autumn Rhythm #30, 1950 (Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY) measures 9'x12' and reflects Pollock's synthesis of accident and control on the canvas. Six years later Jackson Pollock was killed in an auto accident while under the influence of alcohol.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, MS of
Scot-Irish, German, and Native American heritage. Elvis was born as a
twin and his brother Jesse was stillborn. After his father was
imprisoned, the family sunk deeper into poverty and his mother coddled
and protected him where he became a 'mamas boy'. At age 10 she bought
him a guitar for $12.75. Eventually, i8n 1948 the family moved to
Memphis, TN which provided additional influences of blues and gospel
music. Elvis began to emulate African American dress, music and dance
from hanging out on Beale Street.
Eventually, in 1953 Elvis walked into Sam Phillips' Sun Records, where his talent and cross-over potential of blues and boogie-woogie emerged. The Sun Record recording are still considered Elvis' best work. " That's All Right (Mama)" (1954) is a blues song written by Arthur Crudup and was Elvis Presley's first single that literally launched rockabilly/rock'n roll..
