Rock, Culture et Politique

lundi 26 octobre 2009

Relai du combat des Black Panthers : The Lumpen, The Grateful Dead, Steel Pulse (et d'autres)

Après avoir d'abord pensé que la musique ne pouvait rien changer au monde car elle ne respirait ni ne vivait (contrairement aux gens), les Black Panthers ont un moment saisi l'importance que pouvait avoir la musique dans la mobilisation politique --cf. détournement des paroles de chansons qui conduisit à l'arrestation de quatre membres du Panther-National Committee to Combat Fascism (PNCCF). Ils lancèrent ainsi leur propre label, Seize the Day, et s'associèrent au groupe The Lumpen qui chantaiet des titres tels que "No More" ou "Free Bobby Now" à l'issue de l'arrestation de Bobby Seale, l'un des leaders du Black Panther Party.

Photos 1, 2 et 3 : The Lumpen sur scène et hors scène

Commentaires :
"The purpose or mission of the Lumpen was "to educate the People…to use popular forms of music that the community could relate to and politicize it so it would function as another weapon in the struggle for liberation."
http://collectorsfrenzy.com/Details.aspx?id=200310742022

A propos de The Lumpen, sur le site des Black Panthers (avec des paroles de chansons) :
http://www.itsabouttimebpp.com/Our_Stories/the_lumpen_index.html

Photo 4 : Grateful Dead 1971 Black Panther Rally AOR Concert Poster
http://www.dead.net/show/march-5-1971

Chanson de Bob Dylan (1971), dédiée à Georges Jackson, tué par un gardien de la prison de San Quentin où il était emprisonné :
http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/george-jackson

Elle ne fut jamais chantée par Dylan mais par Steel Pulse, "George Jackson" :

Paroles : http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/steel_pulse_lyrics_35644/other_lyrics_66508/george_jackson_lyrics_651962.html

Voir également de Steel Pulse, "Uncle George" sur leur album "Tribute to the Martyrs" (1979) :

Paroles : http://www.lyricsdownload.com/steel-pulse-uncle-george-lyrics.html

Agnès Varda, “Black Panthers - Huey” (1968)
http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=-9136137543675766287#

This riveting documentary, "Black Panthers - Huey!", directed by French filmmaker Agnes Varda transports you to the pivotal Free Huey rally held on February 17th, 1968 (Newton's birthday), at Oakland Auditorium in Alameda, California. Newton, the charismatic young college student who, along with Bobby Seale, created the Black Panther Party, had been jailed for allegedly killing a police officer. His arrest –widely believed at the time to be a setup– galvanized Party support throughout the nation and led to a boom in Party membership, bringing a new level of public attention to the Panthers' cause. Over 5,000 people attended the rally, which featured Party leaders and guest speakers including Eldridge Cleaver, Bobby Seale, James Forman, Bob Avakian, Stokely Carmichael, H. Rap Brown and Ron Dellums. Through stark un-editorialized footage, this documentary chronicles the speakers outlining the Party's platform goals, their strategies for freeing Newton from jail and more.

The Black Panther's Party and its ten-point program by Bobby Seale: