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Black Music Month 2024: The Black Pioneers of Rock

These artists set the blueprint for an American phenomenon.

Bringing gospel music to nightclubs and secular concert venues, her work inspired early rock legends, including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. Starting with her groundbreaking Private Dancer album in 1984, the classic “What’s Love Got to Do with It” single showcased her ability to blend rock with pop and soul, bringing a raw, emotional power to her music. The success of Private Dancer, selling over 20 million copies and winning multiple Grammy Awards, demonstrated her significant influence on the rock genre, bringing a new level of emotional depth and vocal prowess.

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