Did anyone else see the fascinating PBS American Masters episode on Janis Ian?
She's mostly known for her song "Society's Child", which she wrote and recorded at the age of 14. Because it concerned a love affair which was doomed due to society's racial prejudice, no record label would touch it. One said they'd work with her if she changed the word "black" to something else, and she refused. She was finally signed by Verve, and the song made the charts in early 1967. Leonard Bernstein featured her on one of his TV specials, which was her big break.
At one concert, she put down her guitar and ran crying off the stage because some people in the crowd started yelling "[N-word] lover!!" The theater manager and stage hands persuaded her to go back out and continue and she did.
Bill Cosby (of all people) tried to get her blacklisted because he believed she was a lesbian. (She actually came out later, but at the time, no... she was basically still a child.)
Anyway, her courage was incredible. She also got support from Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.
She's still active in the folk world.
The documentary also gives you a look at the broader '60s NYC folk scene.
Excellent!
She's mostly known for her song "Society's Child", which she wrote and recorded at the age of 14. Because it concerned a love affair which was doomed due to society's racial prejudice, no record label would touch it. One said they'd work with her if she changed the word "black" to something else, and she refused. She was finally signed by Verve, and the song made the charts in early 1967. Leonard Bernstein featured her on one of his TV specials, which was her big break.
At one concert, she put down her guitar and ran crying off the stage because some people in the crowd started yelling "[N-word] lover!!" The theater manager and stage hands persuaded her to go back out and continue and she did.
Bill Cosby (of all people) tried to get her blacklisted because he believed she was a lesbian. (She actually came out later, but at the time, no... she was basically still a child.)
Anyway, her courage was incredible. She also got support from Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.
She's still active in the folk world.
The documentary also gives you a look at the broader '60s NYC folk scene.
Excellent!
