Photo courtesy of Amanda Dow
With the holidays coming up, it's hard to believe that 2009 will soon be over. This year has seen its share of music and theater milestones but has also seen the passing of iconic stars such as Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, and Mary Travers. The PAL has created a display in honor of these three icons, showcasing their contributions to the world of music and theater. Feel free to check out the display, which includes some of the items listed below. Some other items that couldn't be added due to lack of space are also featured.
Michael Jackson
Known as the legendary "King of Pop," Jackson died on June 25th, 2009. Jackson's career began in childhood as a member of the Jackson 5, producing hits such as "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There." Jackson went on to become one of pop music's most influential artists, introducing his famous "moonwalk" at the Motown 25 variety show and becoming one of the first African-American artists to receive significant airplay on MTV with his memorable video Thriller. In honor of Jackson, the PAL has included these items in the display:
Where did our love go? : the rise and fall of the Motown sound / Nelson George ; foreword by Quincy Jones ; introduction by Robert Christgau. Motown records produced some of pop music's most famous acts--the Supremes, the Temptations, and of course, the Jackson 5. This book discusses the rise and fall of Motown and how its artists have influenced popular music acts today.
Hitsville USA: the Motown singles collection 1959-1971. This set includes songs by some of Motown's most famous artists, including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Smokey Robinson.
Performance and popular music: history, place and time, edited by Ian Inglis. Jackson knew exactly how to combine performance and music. His performance at the Motown 25 special--where he unveiled his famous moonwalk--remains one of the most famous pop music moments ever. Read about this and other groundbreaking musical performances in this book. Note: this item not on display.
Many performers, including Jackson, have battled conditions such as anxiety and insomnia. In the book Singing with your whole self : the Feldenkrais method and voice, singers can learn more about how to use the Feldenkrais method to cope with these conditions and also reduce problems such as muscle strain, tension, and illness.
Patrick Swayze
A well-known movie actor and professionally trained dancer, Swayze died on September 14, 2009 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Swayze studied dance at the Harkness and Joffrey Ballet companies before appearing in films such as The Outsiders and the cult classic Dirty Dancing. In honor of Swayze, the PAL has included these items in the display:
A Century of Dance. Covers the various dance styles that have evolved over the century, including swing, jazz, tap, and many more. Swayze is featured in a photo of the famous "lift" sequence from Dirty Dancing.
Grease / book, music, and lyrics by Warren Casey & Jim Jacobs. Swayze was cast as a replacement for the role of Danny Zuko in the original Broadway production of Grease. Note: Swayze does not appear in this recording.
Film Choreographers and Dance Directors. Learn about famous choreographers and dancers that have worked in the film industry, covering the years 1893-1995.
Swazye passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. For more information on the disease, check out the following websites:
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: http://www.pancan.org/section_about/
- National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopoics/types/pancreatic/
Mary Travers
As a member of the folk singing group "Peter, Paul, and Mary," Mary Travers died on Wednesday, September 16. Travers and fellow group memebers Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey were instrumental in the development of the folk movement of the 60's. Some of the group's most popular hits include "Blowin' in the Wind," "If I Had a Hammer," and "Leavin on a Jet Plane." In honor of Travers, the PAL has included these items in the display:
Story behind the protest song: a reference guide to the 50 songs that changed the 20th century, by Hardeep Phull. Peter, Paul and Mary were known for their strong beliefs on the civil rights and anti-war movements and performed one of the most famous protest songs of the era, "If I Had a Hammer." This book covers the evolution of the protest song, from the 30's to the present day.
Songs of the 60's. This score includes Lee Hays and Pete Seeger's song "If I Had a Hammer," considered one of the primary protest songs of the 60's and further popularized by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Folk Song America. This compilation features songs by some of folk music's most prominent figures, including Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Kingston Trio.
Travers had battled Leukemia for several years. For more information on the disease, check out the following sites:
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: http://www.leukemia.org.
- Leukemia Research Foundation: http://www.leukemia-research.org.
The display is up in a case in the southwest corner of the reading room. Many thanks to PAL practicum student Amanda Dow for assisting in the creation of the display. Feel free to check it out and learn more about some of music and theater's memorable figures!
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