PART ONE: Below you will find a list of some of the more noteworthy legends and myths of modern music history. For Part One of this assignment, you should research and summarize each incident in a well-developed paragraph. (6 paragraphs total).
Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil
Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats
Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover
Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric
Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite
Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover (click here). Identify and summarize the notariety of 3 individuals whom you recognize and 3 individuals of whom you are ignorant.
Make sure that your sources are legitimate. Remember- any information that you gain from any source is not yours. You must cite your sources using MLA format. Use the links on this blog to assist in your citations. Keep in mind that the 30 other students in your class will uncover much of the same information, so in order to separate yourself from the pack you must focus on authoritative sources, excellent writing, detail, and proper citations.
For MLA documentation assistance, click here.
PART TWO: Use 3 different Website Evaluation Guides (linked below) to validate 3 of the web pages cited in your work above. Complete and print these guides and turn them in.
Schrock's Evaluation
University of Maryland Evaluation
University of California at Berkeley Evaluation
18 comments:
Daniel Sugar
Poetry of Song-D
Legend and myth in music
Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil
The myth that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil goes like this. He wanted to become a great musician, but did not know where to begin. Someone supposedly told him to take his guitar to the “crossroads” in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There, a large black man tuned his guitar. When Johnson got the guitar back, he had fully mastered the instrument.
Schroeder, Patricia R. (2004). Robert Johnson, Mythmaking, and Contemporary American Culture. University of Illinois Press. 2004. Print.
Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats
Osborne has always been criticized for using drugs and doing weird things, like biting bats’ heads off. He did this because he had drug problems and while drunk, he often did things without thinking about them. An example of why people think he ate doves and bats is that he, “bit the head off the bat he thought was rubber". This reinforces the myth. (khtenglin.blogspot.com)
Tenglin, Kristen H. Love in Modern Country Music. Kristen Tenglin, 2010. Web.
15 Mar. 2011.
Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover
There is a theory that Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles, had died during their stint together. However, many people believe that he is still in fact alive. This myth surrounding their album cover for Abbey Road believes that the cover features signs that McCartney had not died. Each person on the cover is wearing funeral clothes, and when turned clockwise, the album shows the symbol of death, the grim reaper.
“Here is John Lennon, leading the funeral procession, dressed all in white like a clergyman. Ringo Starr is next in line in the procession, wearing a black suit. He represents the undertaker. Next comes Paul himself (or, as the urban legend has it, his replacement). Paul is barefoot. And did you notice that he out of step with the others? Last in line is George Harrison. He wears an all denim outfit and is supposed to represent the grave digger. Also take note of the VW Beetle on the left side of the street. The number plate reads "LMW 28IF" - and is said to represent "Linda McCartney Weeps" and the fact that Paul would have been 28 - if he hadn't died...”
Squidoo LLC. Abbey Road Network. SLLC,
2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2011
Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric
People were used to seeing Bob Dylan use acoustics and harmonicas. He surprised everyone by switching to electric guitars. “Before he took the stage at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival—the annual event that had given him his first real national exposure one year earlier—Bob Dylan was introduced by Ronnie Gilbert, a member of The Weavers: "And here he is...take him, you know him, he's yours." In his 2004 memoir, Chronicles: Volume One, Dylan would write about how he "failed to sense the ominous forebodings in the introduction." One year later, he would learn just how possessive the Newport audiences felt toward him. On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival, performing a rock-and-roll set publicly for the very first time while a chorus of shouts and boos rained down on him from a dismayed audience.”
The History Channel. History.com. THC,
2011.Web. 15 Mar. 2011
My own myth: Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison are alive
The myth here is that, “Elvis didn’t die in 1977 but used that as a cover to go into seclusion and get out of the public spotlight. Jim Morrison is alive and someone else’s body is in his grave”. But proven facts, are:
In spite of extensive and largely irrefutable evidence to the contrary, there are still those who believe that Elvis is alive and is periodically spotted in convenience stores, restaurants and trailer parks all over the world.
Some people still don’t believe that Morrison’s body is the one buried in his grave in a Paris cemetery. The official cause of Morrison’s was listed as a heart attack -- believed by many to have been drug related -- in 1971. One enterprising gentleman has even produced a video (for $24.95 plus shipping) that he claims is Morrison living the life of a cowboy in the Pacific Northwest. People who have seen the video say the man in it bears no resemblance whatsoever to Morrison, and other than the fact that many of his song lyrics had mystical themes, there is no evidence to suggest that his death was faked.
About.com. About.com. ADC,
2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011
Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover
John Lennon was a vocal singer and spokesman for the Beatles. Paul McCartney is the one believed to be dead, but is known to be alive. He was a songwriter and guitar player for the Beatles. Ringo Starr was a drummer for the Beatles. George Harrison was another member of the Beatles. Albert Stubbins was a soccer player. Stan Laurel was a filmmaker.
SECOND HALF WITH ML FORMAT ATTACHED (TAYLOR SALTMARSH)
Taylor Saltmarsh
On the cover of The Beatles album for Sgt. Pepper, it shows the Beatles with various other famous and notable people. People interpret this cover to symbolize Paul’s burial and that the wax figures are looking mournfully down at the ground. There are numerous images and symbols that are supposedly there on purpose to allude to Paul is dead hoax. I recognize Marilyn Monroe who was a famous model in the 1930’s and died of drug overdose. I also recognize Edgar Allen Poe who was an author who wrote dark short stories. Bob Dylan is someone who I also recognize and he is a folk singer and a song writer. Three that I am unfamiliar with are Lewis Carroll, Diana Dors, and Carl Jung. Lewis Carroll was an author, Diana Dors was an actress and Carl Jung was a physiologist.
Works Cited:
Robert Johnson and the Crossroads Curse. Delta Haze Corporation, June 2000. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Spinner Staff. Spinner. AOL, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Turn me on Dead Man, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Corbett, Ben. About. The New York Times Company, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
White, Dave. About. The New York Times Company, 2011.Web. 19 March. 2011.
Daniel Sugar
Poetry of Song-D
Legend and myth in music
Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil
The myth that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil goes like this. He wanted to become a great musician, but did not know where to begin. Someone supposedly told him to take his guitar to the “crossroads” in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There, a large black man tuned his guitar. When Johnson got the guitar back, he had fully mastered the instrument.
Schroeder, Patricia R. (2004).
Robert Johnson, Mythmaking, and Contemporary American Culture. University of Illinois Press. 2004. Print.
Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats
Osborne has always been criticized for using drugs and doing weird things, like biting bats’ heads off. He did this because he had drug problems and while drunk, he often did things without thinking about them. An example of why people think he ate doves and bats is that he, “bit the head off the bat he thought was rubber". This reinforces the myth. (khtenglin.blogspot.com)
Tenglin, Kristen H. Love in Modern Country Music. Kristen Tenglin, 2010. Web.
15 Mar. 2011.
Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover
There is a theory that Paul McCartney, a member of the Beatles, had died during their stint together. However, many people believe that he is still in fact alive. This myth surrounding their album cover for Abbey Road believes that the cover features signs that McCartney had not died. Each person on the cover is wearing funeral clothes, and when turned clockwise, the album shows the symbol of death, the grim reaper.
“Here is John Lennon, leading the funeral procession, dressed all in white like a clergyman. Ringo Starr is next in line in the procession, wearing a black suit. He represents the undertaker. Next comes Paul himself (or, as the urban legend has it, his replacement). Paul is barefoot. And did you notice that he out of step with the others? Last in line is George Harrison. He wears an all denim outfit and is supposed to represent the grave digger. Also take note of the VW Beetle on the left side of the street. The number plate reads "LMW 28IF" - and is said to represent "Linda McCartney Weeps" and the fact that Paul would have been 28 - if he hadn't died...”
Squidoo LLC. Abbey Road Network. SLLC,
2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2011
Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric
People were used to seeing Bob Dylan use acoustics and harmonicas. He surprised everyone by switching to electric guitars. “Before he took the stage at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival—the annual event that had given him his first real national exposure one year earlier—Bob Dylan was introduced by Ronnie Gilbert, a member of The Weavers: "And here he is...take him, you know him, he's yours." In his 2004 memoir, Chronicles: Volume One, Dylan would write about how he "failed to sense the ominous forebodings in the introduction." One year later, he would learn just how possessive the Newport audiences felt toward him. On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival, performing a rock-and-roll set publicly for the very first time while a chorus of shouts and boos rained down on him from a dismayed audience.”
The History Channel. History.com. THC,
2011.Web. 15 Mar. 2011
My own myth: Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison are alive
The myth here is that, “Elvis didn’t die in 1977 but used that as a cover to go into seclusion and get out of the public spotlight. Jim Morrison is alive and someone else’s body is in his grave”. But proven facts, are:
In spite of extensive and largely irrefutable evidence to the contrary, there are still those who believe that Elvis is alive and is periodically spotted in convenience stores, restaurants and trailer parks all over the world.
Some people still don’t believe that Morrison’s body is the one buried in his grave in a Paris cemetery. The official cause of Morrison’s was listed as a heart attack -- believed by many to have been drug related -- in 1971. One enterprising gentleman has even produced a video (for $24.95 plus shipping) that he claims is Morrison living the life of a cowboy in the Pacific Northwest. People who have seen the video say the man in it bears no resemblance whatsoever to Morrison, and other than the fact that many of his song lyrics had mystical themes, there is no evidence to suggest that his death was faked.
About.com. About.com. ADC,
2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011
Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover
John Lennon was a vocal singer and spokesman for the Beatles. Paul McCartney is the one believed to be dead, but is known to be alive. He was a songwriter and guitar player for the Beatles. Ringo Starr was a drummer for the Beatles. George Harrison was another member of the Beatles. Albert Stubbins was a soccer player. Stan Laurel was a filmmaker.
Myth #1:
Known as the quintessential father of blues music, Robert Johnson’s legendary talent influenced generations of guitar players decades after his death. How Johnson got his talent, however, is the subject of a dark and mysterious myth. Here is how it goes: in order to obtain such great talent at guitar and singing, Robert Johnson actually met The Devil at a crossroads and offered him his soul in exchange for insurmountable talent. This Faustian legend is most likely just that, a legend, but certain aspects of Johnson’s life could possibly attest to it, like how he became so talented in such a short time. Whatever you choose to believe, Robert Johnson still remains one of the most legendary and influential musicians of all time.
Myth #2:
Ozzy Osbourne is more often than not associated with the word “crazy”. One thing that has attributed to this is his infamous attitude toward winged creatures. At the signing of his first solo record deal in 1981, Osbourne bit off the head of a dove while intoxicated, a dove meant to be released in celebration from cage. A year later, he bit the head off of a live bat on stage while performing at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Osbourne thought it was rubber, and the teenager who threw it on stage thought it was dead beforehand. Bizarre does not even begin to describe these stories.
Myth #3:
This next myth involves arguably the best band that ever existed, The Beatles. In October of 1969, a caller to Detroit radio station WKNR told the disk jockey about a horrific rumor involving the death of Paul McCartney. According to the rumor, Paul McCartney had died three years before, and the cover to The Beatles’ eleventh album Abbey Road held clues to this. Also, a Paul McCartney impersonator had been hired to pose on the album cover. These clues are strange to say the least: one involves the crossing of the street symbolizing a funeral procession, with each member’s clothes representing a different figure (priest, gravedigger, etc.).Another clue is the existence of hidden messages that can be supposedly heard when songs are played backwards. This is almost a cliché clue, since almost everyone believes those kinds of stories about any song. Regardless, this rumor has since been dismissed, and with substantial evidence; McCartney is still alive!
Myth #4:
As a leading contributor to the American folk music genre, Bob Dylan is one of the greatest and most well-known songwriters of all time. The people have not always taken kindly to him and his ways, however. On July 25, 1965, Dylan performed with an electric rock band at the Newport Folk Festival, and was actually booed off the stage. Many of his fans were defiant of Dylan’s style change from folk to rock and roll, a defiance kick started by his fifth album Bringing It All Back Home, which featured a more electric and rock and roll type sound complete with a full rock band. No matter where those boos came from, however, Bob Dylan still remains an important name in music history.
Myth #5:
One musical legend I find most interesting involves several different artists; the 27 Club. Consisting of dozens of well-known and unrecognized musicians, the 27 Club’s members all died at the relative age of 27 years old. The most famous members of this club are Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, and Robert Johnson. Many disregard this as mere coincidence, but the fact that so many great and influential musicians died at the same age cannot possibly be just a fluke. This legend is more saddening than interesting, however, because no matter how you look at it, these extremely talented artists are no longer part of this world. Coincidence or not, nothing can change that.
Myth #6: The cover to The Beatles’ eighth studio album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, is extremely interesting and impressive, because it incorporates a portrait of dozens of celebrities and famous persons. Three people shown that I am most familiar with are Edgar Allen Poe, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando. Poe is obviously a famous poet and author, and one of my favorites. Pretty much everyone knows who Marilyn Monroe, so I won’t go too far into that. Marlon Brando is a famous actor, most well known for his role as Don Vito in the Godfather series. One of the best movies ever made in my opinion.
Three people I don’t recognize are Dylan Thomas, Stan Laurel, and Tyrone Power. Dylan Thomas was a Welsh writer, most famous for Under Milk Wood and Do not go gentle into that good night. Stan Laurel was an English comic actor, most famous as half of the comedic act Laurel and Hardy. Tyrone Power was an American stage and film actor, who played in the original The Mask of Zorro as well as The Black Swan, Blood and Sand, and Prince of Foxes among many others.
Myths numbers 1-5 (FIRST HALF)
Taylor Saltmarsh
1.Myths and legends in music history have a tendency to be interesting and intriguing. The first myth that I am going to discuss is the story behind Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil. Robert Johnson is best known for his song “Crossroad Blues”, in which he discusses the pact he made with the devil. Johnson was born on May 8th, 1911, in the beginning he lived an ordinary life and married his first love Virginia. Unfortunately his wife tragically died in 1930 and Robert Johnson devoted everything he had into music. Rumor has it that in the start of his music career he was not fully satisfied with his musical ability and wanted to be more talented. Johnson was said to be angry at God for killing his wife and child, and went to the crossroads and called upon the devil himself. He is then said to have “paid the devil’s price” and sold his immortal soul in order to play the guitar like no one else. His wish was granted and Johnson went on to be a legend in Delta Blues and lived his life scarred and unsure of what he had done. Johnson died August 16th, 1938 and his final resting place is unknown.
2.A more popular myth more people are familiar with is Ozzy Osbourne’s taste for birds. Ozzy definitely has a bad reputation with drugs and alcohol, so when Osbourne bit the head off a bat publicly not surprisingly everyone was shocked. It is said that while he ate the bats head he was in fact intoxicated. Osbourne thought the bat was a prop and had to undergo rabies treatments. When Ozzy went solo he became more famous and during a meeting with record company executives he planned to release doves as a sign of peace. So when he bit the head off a dove in 1981 people questioned whether it was because he was intoxicated again or he just liked to eat birds alive.
3.Abbey Road is arguably the most famous Beatles album cover. During this time period there was the “Paul is dead hoax”, and people speculated that Paul McCartney had died in a car accident. On the cover of Abbey Road John Lennon is wearing white to symbolize the priest, Ringo Starr is dressed in black to symbolize the undertaker, George is dressed in work clothes to symbolize the gravedigger. However Paul is not wearing shoes and holds a cigarette, or coffin nail, and has is eyes shut which symbolizes that he is the corpse. On the back of the album it says “3 Beatles” and there is a shadow that resembles a skull. This caused a lot of controversy that the real Paul was dead. In the background there is a car whose license plate reads “28IF” which can be interpreted as Paul would be 28 if he were still alive.
Bob Dylan is known as a folk singer and for his easy going guitar style. During a concert Dylan tried to introduce to his fans new type of style he was trying. People were outraged.
4.The transformation from folk to rock and roll wasn’t going to be easy for Bob Dylan. His fans were not accepting at all of the change but other musicians were able to do it, but why not Bob Dylan? The famous performance in Newport the booed Dylan off the stage is said to be because of bad sound quality, the allotted time Dylan was going to play, or simply because of the change in his music. However after all this Dylan still returned to Newport in 2002.
5.My favorite music myth involves the King of Rock. Believe it or not there are people out there who truly believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977. Some people argue that Elvis faked his death to get out of the spot light. Although it is plausible that the limelight was just too much for him to handle, there is no evidence to support the claim that he is still alive. Some people say he is spotted occasionally in stores, restaurants, and trailer parks all around the world, there is no proof. This is my favorite myth because it is interesting to think that someone so famous such as Elvis Presley would fake his own death.
Juliana Ahern
1. Many people in the south in the 1930s thought it was peculiar that a certain man suddenly became famous. Robert Johnson was 27 years old when he abruptly became a phenomenal guitar player and quickly became famous. There were rumors flying around the south saying that the young blues musician sold his soul to the devil in Rosedale, Mississippi at a cross road. The show Supernatural filmed an episode based on the legend and continued to use the idea of selling souls to the devil throughout the show’s seasons. The legend still lives on and people still believe it.
Source:
Goodman, Henry. Meeting at the Crossroads. N.p., 10 Apr. 2004. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. .
2. Everyone knows and has heard of Ozzy Osbourne, but not many people know about his strange taste for doves and bats. There’s a bizarre story on the internet that Osbourne bit the head of the two animals. Allegedly, with the bat, it was an accident. Osbourne, while on stage preforming, thought the bat was fake and bit it. The biting of the dove was, however, not an accident. To celebrate the signing of his first solo career, Osbourne and a few of the people working at the recording studio decided to release the doves. For what ever reason, Ozzy Osbourne thought it was absolutely necessary to grab one of the doves and bite its head off.
Source: Jamieson, Alastair. Ozzy Osbourne Biting Head Off Bat. N.p., 9 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. .
3. There was this huge conspiracy surrounding the cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road. Many people were utterly convinced that Paul McCartney died and the man on the cover wasn’t him. Every thing on the cover were symbolic of McCartney’s death. For example, all the members have a certain character portrayed; John Lennon was dressed as a priest, Ringo Star as an undertaker, George Harrison was the grave digger, and McCartney, barefoot and holding a cigarette, was the deceased.
Source:
Mark, John T. The "Paul is Dead" Rumors. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. .
Robert Johnson sells his soul to the Devil
Many critics would agree that Robert Johnson is, indeed, the king of the blues. The story behind that title is somewhat sophisticated. The legend is Robert Johnson met a man with a dog, which would not stop howling, at a crossroad. At this crossroad, the man offered Johnson, or rather the devil, a chance to become the King of the Delta Blues. Robert Johnson quickly took the offer. However, as a result of taking the offer, Johnson was forced to give up his soul to the man. Despite having all of the whiskey and women and talent one could ask for, Johnson would not be able to live a good life due to selling his soul.
Robert Johnson Sold His Soul to the Devil in Rosedale, Mississippi :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog." :: Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .
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Ozzy Osbourne’s taste for doves and bats
Ozzy Osbourne has always been known for his controversial acts, whether they are severe or not. Osbourne also had a reputation for throwing pig livers and cow intestines into the crowd. In his show in Des Moines, California, a fan of Ozzy threw a live bat onto the stage. According to Ozzy, he believed that the bat was a toy. This was not Ozzy’s first encounter with a live animal. Nearly a year before the show, Ozzy had beheaded two doves, again using his teeth to do so. Ozzy’s excuse for biting off the heads of two doves? He claimed that he was drunk after drinking a bottle of brandy.
"The Urban Legend of Ozzy Osbourne and the Bat." Performing Songwriter. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .
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The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover
The cover of Abbey Road by The Beatles sparked a large controversy. Theories upon theories were constructed due to the cover’s distinct characteristics. The biggest theory that rose after the cover was released was that Paul McCartney was dead. The legend said that Paul McCartney died due to a car accident and an imposter portrays the “Paul McCartney” in the cover. There were several reasons for this theory. On the cover, McCartney is seen holding a cigarette with his right hand when he is, in fact, left-handed. Also, an Australian version of the album cover there is a bloodstain visible, which is supposed to resemble the blood on the ground after McCartney got killed in the car accident. Another symbol that is found is the image of the Grim Reaper. According to the legend, an image of the Grim Reaper is visible of when the back cover is turned forty-five degrees counter clockwise. Of course, these are just several of the symbols that are proposed by theorists.
"Pictured: The Beatles Album Cover That Started a Decades-long Conspiracy Theory | Mail Online." Home | Mail Online. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .
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Bob Dylan goes electric
Bob Dylan is known in the music industry as one of the best in the folk music genre. However, when Dylan changed from acoustic to electric, his audience did not approve of it. Performing in the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965, Dylan changed from acoustic to electric. At first, there were mixed reactions amongst the crowd as he played “Maggie’s farm”. However, as he began to play other songs, more and more of the audience began to dislike Dylan’s transformation.
"Dylan Goes Electric at the Newport Folk Festival — History.com This Day in History — 7/25/1965." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .
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Controversy of Tupac’s death
Tupac was major influence on the rap community in not only in California, but the rest of the world as well. On September 7, 1996, Tupac was apparently shot and later died due to his wounds. One of the most known theories is that Tupac feigned his death to fool his enemies and make higher revenue. However, many believe that Tupac is still, indeed, alive and there was some evidence to prove it. Prior to his death, Tupac changed his emcee name to Makaveli after Nicolo Machiavelli, who was an Italian war strategist who was known for writing books that described faking a death to fool his/her enemies. Also, Tupac was apparently cremated the day after his death with no autopsy done. Even after his death, the deceased Tupac released two movies and three LP’s, and of course his revenues skyrocketed. There are many other subtle facts that help prove Tupac could still be alive. Although, the main facts are the ones that have been listed.
Katzenstein, Jeff. "Tupac Shakur Raps and Acts Even after His Own Death - Focus." The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. .
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Sgt. Pepper Cover
On the Sgt. Pepper cover, the three people I recognize are Edgar Allen Poe, Bob Dylan, and Marilyn Monroe. Edgar Allen Poe was an author who dealt with alcoholism. Bob Dylan is one of the greatest folk songwriters in history. Marilyn Monroe is a famous actress who was a model and died due to an overdose. Three people who I do not recognize are Albert Stubbins, Karl Marx, and Sonny Liston. Marx was known for being a sociologist, a philosopher, and a political theorist. Sonny Liston was a famous professional boxer and was an ex-convict and won the world heavy weight championship in 1962. Albert Stubbins was an English soccer player and played the center forward position.
In the first myth, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil so that he could play the blues like no one else had done before him. Robert Johnson was instructed to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. Upon arrival he was met by a large black man who was supposedly the devil. The devil took the guitar from Johnson and began to tune it. When he gave Johnson the guitar back, he could play the guitar as if he had mastered it. It was like he had been playing for several years. In return for the favor done by the devil, Robert Johnson gave him his soul. This is the famous exchange that many know about. Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil so that he could play the guitar that made him famous. People, and even Robert Johnson, used this myth to describe his rapid mastery of the guitar.
In these very famous legends surrounding Ozzy Osbourne, which have been parodied by shows and movies, Ozzy bit the head off of a dove and a bat. These were two separate instances, but both actually happened and both gave Ozzy lots of publicity. He bit the head off of a dove during a meeting with some record company executives. Apparently he planned to release doves into the air as a sign of peace. Instead, while intoxicated at the meeting, he grabbed a dove and bit its head right off. Also, while on tour on January 20, 1982, someone threw a live bat onto the stage. Ozzy, thinking that it was just a rubber bat, picked it up and bit its head off.
The Beatles’ cover to their album Abbey Road has spawned many conspiracy theories and still brings up controversy to this day. Some psychotic Beatles fans believe that Paul McCartney died and was replaced by an imposter. These same fans believe that the Beatles left clues on the cover and back cover to prove that he is, indeed, dead. Truth is, the Beatles did leave clues on the cover, but the clues led to something completely unrelated to Paul’s so-called death. Anyways, these theorists think that Paul died in a car accident and was replaced by an imposter. They say that John Lennon symbolizes the preacher, Ringo Starr symbolizes the mourner, George Harrison symbolizes the grave-digger, and that Paul, who they believe is an imposter, is the corpse. People also say that because Paul stands out the most, it seems obvious that something bad happened. For example, Paul is a lefty, but he holds a cigarette in his right hand. Also, Paul is the only one who has his right foot forward. On top of that, he is not wearing shoes. Some theorists also point out that the line of cars on the left side of the album go right through his head, suggesting that he died from a head injury. On the back cover there are dots that form the number three which also suggests that he died. None of this is proven, nor can it be proven, but it is an interesting theory that does have several satisfying clues.
Bob Dylan played electric guitar on his album Bringing It All Back Home and was booed off stage by angry fans while he was on tour supporting this album. Why would he receive such a negative response from fans? Some think it was for playing electric guitar and for playing with a rock band. Others think it was because of the bad quality and short set list. Whatever the reason was, he got booed off stage and received negative comments from fellow folk musicians.
The legend of my choice that I researched was the death of a chicken on stage during an Alice Cooper concert at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival concert in the September of 1969. During an early Alice Cooper concert, a chicken got on stage somehow. Cooper, assuming that it would fly away, threw it above the crowd. Instead of flying away, the chicken fell into the first row. Disabled people in wheelchairs in the first row tore the bird to pieces and threw the pieces back onto the stage. News of what happened hit newspapers the next day. Frank Zappa called Cooper and asked him what happened. After he told Zappa that he did not really kill the chicken, Zappa told him not to tell anyone that it was not actually him because it was god publicity.
The cover to the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s lonely Hearts Club Band depicts the Beatles as the Sgt. Pepper band surrounded by several cutouts of famous people. The cover art took lots of planning and took about three hours to put it all together. It has been estimated that the cost for the cover art was 100 times the average cost for an album cover of the time. Three individuals whom I recognize from the cover are Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Lewis Carroll. Stan Laurel was an English comic actor, writer and film director. He was known by most as the first half of the comedy double-act Laurel and Hardy. Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as the other half of the comedy double-act Laurel and hardy. Lewis Carroll was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon, and photographer. Two of his most famous writings are Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass. Three individuals that I am not familiar with from the cover of the album are Diana Dors, Albert Stubbins, and Huntz Hall. Diana Dors was and English actress. Albert Stubbins was an English footballer. His career was limited by the onset of World War II. Huntz Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer
Taylor Saltmarsh
Myth #1: Myths and legends in music history have a tendency to be interesting and intriguing. The first myth that I am going to discuss is the story behind Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil. Robert Johnson is best known for his song “Crossroad Blues”, in which he discusses the pact he made with the devil. Johnson was born on May 8th, 1911, in the beginning he lived an ordinary life and married his first love Virginia. Unfortunately his wife tragically died in 1930 and Robert Johnson devoted everything he had into music. Rumor has it that in the start of his music career he was not fully satisfied with his musical ability and wanted to be more talented. Johnson was said to be angry at God for killing his wife and child, and went to the crossroads and called upon the devil himself. He is then said to have “paid the devil’s price” and sold his immortal soul in order to play the guitar like no one else. His wish was granted and Johnson went on to be a legend in Delta Blues and lived his life scarred and unsure of what he had done. Johnson died August 16th, 1938 and his final resting place is unknown.
Myth #2: A more popular myth more people are familiar with is Ozzy Osbourne’s taste for birds. Ozzy definitely has a bad reputation with drugs and alcohol, so when Osbourne bit the head off a bat publicly not surprisingly everyone was shocked. It is said that while he ate the bats head he was in fact intoxicated. Osbourne thought the bat was a prop and had to undergo rabies treatments. When Ozzy went solo he became more famous and during a meeting with record company executives he planned to release doves as a sign of peace. So when he bit the head off a dove in 1981 people questioned whether it was because he was intoxicated again or he just liked to eat birds alive.
Myth #3: Abbey Road is arguably the most famous Beatles album cover. During this time period there was the “Paul is dead hoax”, and people speculated that Paul McCartney had died in a car accident. On the cover of Abbey Road John Lennon is wearing white to symbolize the priest, Ringo Starr is dressed in black to symbolize the undertaker, George is dressed in work clothes to symbolize the gravedigger. However Paul is not wearing shoes and holds a cigarette, or coffin nail, and has is eyes shut which symbolizes that he is the corpse. On the back of the album it says “3 Beatles” and there is a shadow that resembles a skull. This caused a lot of controversy that the real Paul was dead. In the background there is a car whose license plate reads “28IF” which can be interpreted as Paul would be 28 if he were still alive.
Myth #4: Bob Dylan is known as a folk singer and for his easy going guitar style. During a concert Dylan tried to introduce to his fans new type of style he was trying. People were outraged. The transformation from folk to rock and roll wasn’t going to be easy for Bob Dylan. His fans were not accepting at all of the change but other musicians were able to do it, but why not Bob Dylan? The famous performance in Newport the booed Dylan off the stage is said to be because of bad sound quality, the allotted time Dylan was going to play, or simply because of the change in his music. However after all this Dylan still returned to Newport in 2002.
Myth#5: My favorite music myth involves the King of Rock. Believe it or not there are people out there who truly believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977. Some people argue that Elvis faked his death to get out of the spot light. Although it is plausible that the limelight was just too much for him to handle, there is no evidence to support the claim that he is still alive. Some people say he is spotted occasionally in stores, restaurants, and trailer parks all around the world, there is no proof. This is my favorite myth because it is interesting to think that someone so famous such as Elvis Presley would fake his own death.
Taylor Saltmarsh
Myth #6: On the cover of The Beatles album for Sgt. Pepper, it shows the Beatles with various other famous and notable people. People interpret this cover to symbolize Paul’s burial and that the wax figures are looking mournfully down at the ground. There are numerous images and symbols that are supposedly there on purpose to allude to Paul is dead hoax. I recognize Marilyn Monroe who was a famous model in the 1930’s and died of drug overdose. I also recognize Edgar Allen Poe who was an author who wrote dark short stories. Bob Dylan is someone who I also recognize and he is a folk singer and a song writer. Three that I am unfamiliar with are Lewis Carroll, Diana Dors, and Carl Jung. Lewis Carroll was an author, Diana Dors was an actress and Carl Jung was a physiologist.
Works Cited:
Robert Johnson and the Crossroads Curse. Delta Haze Corporation, June 2000. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Spinner Staff. Spinner. AOL, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Turn me on Dead Man, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
Corbett, Ben. About. The New York Times Company, 2011. Web. 19 March. 2011.
White, Dave. About. The New York Times Company, 2011.Web. 19 March. 2011.
Mr. Kefor I put my comment on my blog because it would not post here.
Meagan E.
Mr. Kefor - I just decided to post mine to my blog to make it easier.
Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson was a blues musician, it is said that he sold his soul to the devil so he can become the greatest musician for blues out there. With the exchange he did, Robert was able to create the blues that made him so famous. He claims it was a large black man (aka the devil) who he met at midnight, tuned his guitar, played some songs, and then gave it back to him.
Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne is known for his wild life and drugs/ alcohol addiction, it has been said that he likes to bite off the heads of small animals like doves or bats. Their plans were to release doves into the air to get the attention of people but when no one was looking he decided to take a dove and bite its head off then spit it out. Security came and removed him from the place, Ozzy still had blood dripping down his lips and then he bit another doves head off. The bat issue is something Ozzy would be haunted for the rest of his life. He and Sharon did it for publicity and also he was always drunk and taken over by the drugs he used.
Myth/Legend #3: The image of the group walking across the street was created by McCartney, it was taken on August 8th, 1969. They walked across the street in a single line with John Lennon leading then Ringo Starr and after Paul McCartney and ending with Harrison. Paul was the only one barefoot in the shoot. The fact that he was not wearing shoes while taking this photo, when you listen to it one of the song played backwards insisting that he died in a car accident and people started to believe in that.
Myth/Legend #4: In 1965 at a concert called Newport Folk Festival, Bob Dylan had a surprised planned for the crowd when he had an electric guitar hanging from his shoulder but did not think there would be a big stink about it. He did a half acoustic half electric album, a mix of booing and cheering occurred. People said it was terrible sound quality and some really enjoyed it. Some felt it was a betrayal, according to an insider who was there say that Bob was shaken at the time.
Myth/Legend #5: It has been said that Gene Simmons has had a tongue transplant because of how long his tongue is. Lead singer of the band “Kiss” is known for the crazy make-up and long tongues, they say it is a cow’s tongue that was surgically attached to his own. Really his tongue is abnormally long and knows how to use it in ways that drew attention to him and his band. The cows tongue is nothing like Gene’s or any other human.
Myth/Legend #6: In the cover of the Sgt. Pepper album I recognize Paul McCartney, he was the lead singer of The Beatles and the only survivor of the group. Edgar Allen Poe was a famous poet and story writer. He is known for his creepy stories that are very well known today. Bob Dylan, a famous guitarist and known for his electric change. Three people I do not know are W.C Fields, Max Miller, and Diana Dors.
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