o be in the limelight. Focusing on issues that plagued African Americans, these dynamic women entertained audiences all over through their rich soulful voices accompanied by musical repertoire.In the 1940s what was known as city blues became urban and instrumental blues with the implementation of additional vocals and a big band, which now included saxophones, keyboards and electrical basses and guitars. This style of blues gave way to what we now know as R&B. Just as the blues, R&B served a form of communication, a way of telling ones life story as well to delivery information. Such examples can be seen in the music that developed in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and even leading into todays music genre. When one discusses the relationship between Soul music and the civil rights movement, it becomes a dialogue very akin to that of the chicken and the egg. The period of Classic Soul is that period primarily, but not exclusively referenced as the 1950s, 60s and 70s (Stephenson 186). This is the time frame of the American Civil Rights Movement, and the impact of the massive changes going on, are reflected in the music and the culture. So one would be correct in both assuming that the Civil Rights Movement gave rise to Soul music, as much Soul music contributed to the success of the campaign for civil rights. Soul music during its day did more than simply entertain. For a race of people it served as a source of motivation, strength and education, for a people immersed in turmoil and tragedy. The institution of segregation had effectively inhibited the general populaces awareness of the great achievements and contributions made by African-Americans throughout the history of the United States (Franklin 429). In as much, Soul music sought to bring that undersight to light. Soul songs like Donny Hathaways To Be Young, Gifted and Black, was revolutionary, in that they sought to instill pride of ones history, but at the same time motivate a new genera...
