Bluegrass and Bill Monroe

In the 1930s, bluegrass brought grassroots (草根) American music to radio. Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys pioneered the style. Monroe's combination of mandolin, guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, and multiple voices defined a bluegrass standard notable for its exceptions as well as its adherents. His commercial success fed the careers of band mates and others. Bluegrass's high, anguished harmonies and stories of travel and loss let it speak to migrants around the world.

Sun Ra

Sun Ra was one of the most American musicians. The fact that he would have vigorously disputed that characterization cements his case. Purportedly born "Herman Poole Blount", the child prodigy changed his name to that of an Egyptian god after a spiritual / psychotic trip to Saturn sometime between 1936 and 1952. Funny, serious, cartoonish, preposterous, and polemical, Sun Ra's career spanned jazz styles from big bands through free jazz to early electronica. 

Elvis

Elvis Presley was a central figure in 20th century American pop music. He was one of the main figures bringing "race music" to white America. His lip-synching to "Hound Dog" on the Ed Sullivan Show, an early television program, was a major boost to early "rock-and-roll". Presley's career provides an archetype for American pop artists, from sexy "Young Elvis", to a problematic Hollywood career, to cultural irrelevance in Las Vegas and a David Carradine-level death. However, his best work retains a power and emotional resonance that can be felt today. 

Introduction

Dr. J grew up in the American suburbs, and has been in several bad-to-mediocre bands. Dr. Li grew up in rural Anhui province, PRC, and has no background in American pop music. This blog provides that introduction.