Overview

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.

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9780313360589

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Reviews

For the first time, Gilbert A. Williams, professor of broadcast and cable programming at Michigan State University, gives us an up close and personal backstage look into Black radio and the legendary voices behind the microphones. Filling an overdue void, these one-on-one interviews examine the role African Americans have played in the development of American broadcasting and how these announcers transcended their jobs as radio station employees, often to go on to become cultural heroes....Legendary Pioneers of Black Radio would be useful for high school students or college freshman considering broadcasting as a career, and instructors teaching courses on race and media. -Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

Williams provides a significant discussion of the historical role of black disc jockeys in the US...This interesting book provides a history of a unique group of media pioneers and is recommended for all collections. - Choice Williams has compiled and impressive lineup of djs, including Eddie Castleberry, Moses Lindburg Lucky Cordell, Normand W. Spaulding, and Richard Stams...The interviews demonstrate a fine interplay between Williams and his subjects, building for the reader a relaxed, warm atmosphere...The interviews will furnish insight into an important time in culture and broadcasting...[A]nyone interested in this area will find the book quite valuable. - MultiCultural Review Legendary Pioneers of Black Radio is a seminal contribution to Black Studies, as well as Amerian broadcasting and popular culture studies. - The Midwest Book Revie For the first time, Gilbert A. Williams, professor of broadcast and cable programming at Michigan State University, gives us an up close and personal backstage look into Black radio and the legendary voices behind the microphones. Filling an overdue void, these one-on-one interviews examine the role African Americans have played in the development of American broadcasting and how these announcers transcended their jobs as radio station employees, often to go on to become cultural heroes...Legendary Pioneers of Black Radio would be useful for high school students or college freshman considering broadcasting as a career, and instructors teaching courses on race and media. - Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

Author Information

GILBERT A. WILLIAMS is Professor in the Telecommunication Department at Michigan State University, where he teaches courses on broadcast and cable programming and the history of telecommunication. His research interests focus on African American communications, the history of communications, and health communication.

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