Influential Black Musicians

Born Eleanora Fagan, Billie Holiday grew up in Philadelphia in extreme poverty and endured a very difficult upbringing. Finding her solace in music, Holiday began singing in local clubs as a teenager in her adopted hometown of New York City. It didn’t take long for Holiday’s talent to be recognized in the jazz world. She broke new ground in the late 30s by becoming the first female Black vocalist to work with a white orchestra. It was at the end of this decade that Holiday sang and recorded the song "Strange Fruit," (a protest of racism in America, particularly the lynching of Black people) which was crucial in the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement. 

There may be no musician in history who had the impact on their instrument that Jimi Hendrix had on the electric guitar during his lifetime – one that was sadly cut short at the young age of 27. During his short career, Hendrix completely redefined the role of the guitar in popular music, pioneering new musical technologies, styles and techniques. Hendrix also possessed the kind of flamboyant and commanding stage presence which has rarely been seen since. While blues musicians before him had pioneered some of the more outlandish styles of guitar playing (behind the back, between the legs, over the head), Hendrix pushed the boundaries even further – famously setting his guitar on fire at the end of his set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.