Yesterday’s lecture in British Life and Culture was not what I expected, but it was brilliant! The focus was the influence of American jazz and R&B music, iconic American cinema stars, and fashion on British post WWII culture.
The American influences that spawned the Beatles, Rolling Stones, David Bowie were more mainstream here than in the States and, in turn, influenced American pop culture. Drawing on Paul Gilroy’s the Black Atlantic, the lecturer drew together diverse cultural influences to weave a narrative using music clips and photos. The photos and music he used to make his argument were fantastic.
His nuanced understandings of race in the US blew me away. And, his tribute to Chess Records was really smack dead on. He played Howln Wolf’s 1954 Smokestack Lighting which did not hit the charts in the US for over 15 years, although it was a hit here in 1956 released on Pie label. Then Justin played the Stone’s 1964 hit that appropriates an inferior imitation of Howl’n Wolf which hit the US charts as #5.
The American influences that spawned the Beatles, Rolling Stones, David Bowie were more mainstream here than in the States and, in turn, influenced American pop culture. Drawing on Paul Gilroy’s the Black Atlantic, the lecturer drew together diverse cultural influences to weave a narrative using music clips and photos. The photos and music he used to make his argument were fantastic.
His nuanced understandings of race in the US blew me away. And, his tribute to Chess Records was really smack dead on. He played Howln Wolf’s 1954 Smokestack Lighting which did not hit the charts in the US for over 15 years, although it was a hit here in 1956 released on Pie label. Then Justin played the Stone’s 1964 hit that appropriates an inferior imitation of Howl’n Wolf which hit the US charts as #5.
He documented in photos examples of American jazz artists, like Theloneious Monk’s, whose fashion outfits during their stays in London and Paris of the late 1940’s were imitated by the working class subcultures in Britain in the 50’s and 60’s--look at this photo and think about the Teddy Boys.
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Ending with Amy Winehouse—who cab driving father had extensive vinyl collections of American jazz and R&B--and Adele, the lecture was a real treat. Justin used graphics and music very effectively, too. Interesting how Black R&B and jazz were accepted in British homes from 1930’s on, but had to be repackaged by white, British artists in the 1950’s before becoming widespread US commodities.
He also showed how glamour actresses, like Marilyn Monroe, created a great frenzy and following in UK that compared to Beatlemania in the U.S. She was mobbed in London and began the re-image-ing of femininity in the UK. He highlighted the importance that Jean Seberg's career and demise at the hand of the FBI impacted Britain deeply.
Same for the "outlaw" images of Brando and Dean.
A scene from the Wild Ones
A photo of "Rockers" in East London
I loved his examples of the hybrid nature of US and British music and fashion scenes--especially the re-working of gender ala David Bowie and then Madonna (who appropriated British Goth outfits).
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Ending with Amy Winehouse—who cab driving father had extensive vinyl collections of American jazz and R&B--and Adele, the lecture was a real treat. Justin used graphics and music very effectively, too. Interesting how Black R&B and jazz were accepted in British homes from 1930’s on, but had to be repackaged by white, British artists in the 1950’s before becoming widespread US commodities.
He also showed how glamour actresses, like Marilyn Monroe, created a great frenzy and following in UK that compared to Beatlemania in the U.S. She was mobbed in London and began the re-image-ing of femininity in the UK. He highlighted the importance that Jean Seberg's career and demise at the hand of the FBI impacted Britain deeply.
I loved his examples of the hybrid nature of US and British music and fashion scenes--especially the re-working of gender ala David Bowie and then Madonna (who appropriated British Goth outfits).
With just two weeks of classes left, it is impossible to ignore the sand running through the hourglass. We are all super busy with end of semester tasks: students cramming for finals and writing papers, Joanne & I grading until our minds are numb.
We are at the point in the trip which is like a luxurious Christmas morning where all the preparations have made things just so; enjoyable, but the moments to bask any longer stopped being an option a few minutes ago—there are things that must be done, places where we’ll be scattering to, and our tomorrows won’t be at all the same. There is a twinge of sadness afoot—hastened by the departure next week of all the other London Consortium students and faculty returning to Milwaukee, Denver, and Laramie. We, CSU students and faculty, are a week behind. Watching them wrap up makes our leave-taking more pronounced as well as prolonged.
Of course, there are pledges to come back—do it again. Some of us will, but most won’t. And when we do, it can’t be the same. So there is a clinging grasp at the last walk through the National Gallery; the anticipated nostalgia for the corner sandwich shop and the crème yogurt from Guernsey herds.
The quick bite at Nando’s (Peri peri chicken flame grilled Portugese style) which was a convenience, morphs into a cherished symbol of the casual experience of London. Yesterday, with only 20 minutes to spare and a completely empty stomach, I grabbed the African jambalaya off the Nigerian catering truck before dashing off to BCL class—that will never happen at home and that iconic truck parked in front of the British museum every weekday is not likely be there in a year or so. So it is those fleeting, idiosyncratic experiences that have combined to make this our London trip.
Like everything else that matters in life, it is in the small moments and the seemingly insignificant trivia that take on significance in the imagination. The bricolage of habits, words, mannerisms and memories contribute to how London has changed who we are as well as who we imagine ourselves to be.
So, last evening, I coped with the weather and anticipatory nostalgia for London by taking a hot tub in this cold flat for a quick jolt of heat—while waiting for the heat to come on. Tucked under a down comforter, I buried my head in another Adam Dalgiesh novel. And I had a fretful sleep with nightmares (NB: don’t read about murder at bedtime) and strange juxtaposition of people and things I will be happy to see at home.
We had a good discussion in class today after term projects that varied from all right to very good. The air is damp, the temperature COLD (high of 41 F/low of 30F).
I knew that Good Friday was a big deal in this country where the State recognizes Anglican religion—in fact, religion is taught in schools here as a matter of course. Banks, grocery, buses, etc. will be closed or on reduced hours and service. What I did not “get” was the fact that Easter Monday is also a Bank holiday meaning many things will be closed. So, I am off to grocery shop since Shannon arrives on Sunday morning to our Oregon-like weather. That will be good to have her here for the week and should prevent me brooding more about the beginning of the end.
Have a special day tomorrow—it also happens that Passover and Good Friday fall on the same day this year—Shabot Shalom!
And, have a joyous Easter holiday.
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