Minstrels: Impact on Music Industry

In 1950s America, the music industry is much different that it is today. A popular music genre that emerged from a diverse sociological and musical influence from American Negro music was blues. Interestingly, it is said that classic blues music was Negro's entrance into the world of professional entertainment (p.32). This professionalism came from Negro theater, which included black minstrel shows, traveling road shows, medicine shoes, carnivals, etc. What I find most interesting is the idea of minstrel shows.

Minstrelsy was an extremely important sociological phenomenon in America (p.33). This was the idea of white men imitating what they consider a black man's life. White minstrel shows occurred much before black minstrels, but by the time black minstrel shows were not taboo anymore, it paved the way for the employment of Negro entertainers including blues singers, musicians, dancers and comedians (p.34).

The idea of white minstrel shows, and white men imitating black men's lives is not all terrible. These could date back to around 1800. White minstrel shows allowed the white men's concept of the Negro change. The white minstrel shows were, at best, parodies of Negro life (p.33). Eventually, in the 1950s, black minstrel shows became main stream and American Negroes were seen as much funnier than Africans. The first Negro minstrels were traditional and obviously much more authentic.

The Negro minstrel shows introduced new dance steps and even new music. Now, for the first time, Negro music was heard on a wider scale throughout the country. I believe that these minstrels are so important to the evolution of the culture of music. For the first time, African Americans are in mainstream media, and the american public is starting to see that these people are individuals and are very different in a positive way. Negro minstrels were the first of many ways that black people in America were able to show the country their culture, values and beliefs.

Below, this video shows a white minstrel show, with individuals in blackface, the most common form of performance.

Jones, LeRoi. "Blues People: The Negro Experience in White America and the Music That Developedfrom It." New York, Apollo Editions (1963).

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