In this episode we discuss songs originally recorded by black artists that were popularized by white artists. From the earliest days of rock and roll, it was common for record labels to purchase rights to songs written by black songwriters for a flat fee, locking them out of both credit for, and profit from, the success of their songs once they were recorded by white artists and released to mainstream radio. While this practice eventually died out, it was common through the 70’s and into the early 80’s for covers by white artists to achieve significantly more playtime and critical acclaim than the original artists, with I Shot the Sheriff being the most glaring example, winning Eric Clapton his only #1 hit in the US (just over a year after its original release by The Wailer’s) and a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
We discuss black artists whose original work was overshadowed by white artists like Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Led Zeppelin, and many others. We finish out with a discussion (that will likely be continued in a future episode) of a prime example of a black artist turning the tables and creating the definitive version of a song written, and first recorded, by a white artist: Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower, which is Hendrix’s only top 40 single (peaking at #20 - yes, Jimi Hendrix was a “One Hit Wonder” during his, all too brief, lifetime) and his highest selling single to date.
Songs played in the episode:
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On - Big Maybelle (Popularized by Jerry Lee Lewis)
I Shot the Sheriff - The Wailers (Covered by Eric Clapton)
Tide is High - The Paragons (Popularized by Blondie)
Tainted Love - Gloria Jones (Popularized by Soft Cell)
Twist and Shout - Isley Brothers (Covered by The Beatles)
All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Originally recorded by Bob Dylan)
Beds used in this episode:
Bad Brains - September (Segment)
Eddie Grant - Electric Avenue (Segment)
Skatalites - Fidel Castro (Segement)
Production Elements used in this episode (no samples cleared):
George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers - Bad to the Bone (Segment)
Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (Segment)
Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know it’s True (Segment)
Samantha Angelique (voice)
Public Enemy - PESA 2 - Black History Month (PSA)