Blackbird page 2

 Blackbird page 2 by ric gustafson

In 2020, Blues Hall of Famer Bettye LaVette released an album called ' Blackbirds'. On the album was her first person interpretation of Paul McCartney's song ' Blackbird'. LaVette knew about the civil rights origin of the song. She had heard McCartney's stories of the origin of the song. Realizing that black musicians were using the song to give them hope about their own recordings and live performances. LaVette gave ' Blackbird' a first person perspective.

For the Beatles, it started before their arrival in the US in 1964. A black owned label called Vee Jay. It was founded by Vivian Carter and her husband Jimmy Brocken. The label's representative was Barbara Gardner Proctor. In 1962, the Beatles were unknown in the US. Proctor flew to London and traded songs with EMI Records. EMI Records included Parlophone. This was the Beatles label.

Billy Preston recorded with Vee Jay in 1964 and 1965. Preston would later become part of the Beatles legacy. Preston said that the Beatles had great respect for black music. They were not threatened by it. The Beatles had great respect for American rhythm and blues.

So what was Paul McCartney's inspiration for ' Blackbird'?.

research help: ' Blackbird' by Katie Kapurch and Jon Marc Smith

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric