Legendary Pioneers of Black RadioLegendary Pioneers of Black Radio

<p>After World War II, when thousands of African Americans left farms, plantations, and a southern way of life to migrate north, African American disc jockeys helped them make the transition to the urban life by playing familiar music and giving them hints on how to function in northern cities. These disc jockeys became cultural heroes and had a major role in the development of American broadcasting. This collection of interviews documents the personalities of the pioneers of Black radio, as well as their personal struggles and successes. The interviewees also define their roles in the civil rights movement and relate how their efforts have had an impact on how African Americans are portrayed over the air.</p>
After World War II, when thousands of African Americans left farms, plantations, and a southern way of life to migrate north, African American disc jockeys helped them make the transition to the urban life by playing familiar music and giving them tips on how to function in northern cities. These disc jockeys became cultural heroes and had a major role in the development of American broadcasting. This collection of interviews documents the personalities of the pioneers of Black radio, as well as their personal struggles and successes. The interviewees also define their roles in the civil rights movement and relate how their efforts have had an impact on how African Americans are portrayed over the air.
Contains interviews with 14 black DJs who hosted music programs during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The somewhat informal interviews address such issues as how the DJs became involved in radio, their personal styles, their relationship with white music and musicians, and the commercial music industry then and now. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
A unique collection of interviews with the first African American disc jockeys.