When did the term rhythm and blues replace race music?
The term rhythm and blues replaced race music in 1948. Jerry Wexler, a writer for Billboard magazine, coined this new label to describe recordings marketed to African American audiences.
Common questions about Rhythm and blues
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who coined the term rhythm and blues and for what purpose?
Jerry Wexler coined the term rhythm and blues in 1948 to describe recordings marketed to African American audiences. This new designation captured the heavy, insistent beat that was becoming popular and served as a commercial strategy acknowledging the growing power of African American communities in urban centers.
How did Afro-Cuban rhythms influence the development of rhythm and blues in New Orleans?
Afro-Cuban rhythmic motifs became central to the development of rhythm and blues in New Orleans during the late 1940s. Musicians such as Professor Longhair and Earl Palmer incorporated Cuban instruments like the conga drum, bongos, and claves to create a unique sound known locally as rumba-boogie.
When did rhythm and blues begin to cross over to white teenage audiences?
Rhythm and blues began to cross over from African American markets to white teenage audiences in the early 1950s. By 1952, 40% of sales at Dolphin's of Hollywood record shop were to white customers, and Alan Freed started a late-night radio show called The Moondog Rock Roll House Party in 1951 to popularize the music.
When was the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame founded and by whom?
The National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame was founded in 2010 by LaMont ShowBoat Robinson. This organization was established to ensure the legacy of the genre would be preserved for future generations.