By Mister Promo | November 4, 2015
George W. Johnson
... was the first Black Recording Artist. In 1890 George W. Johnson (GWJ) became the first African American to record commercially. A common story is that Johnson, a former slave, was discovered singing on the streets of Washington, D.C., by Berliner recording agent Fred Gaisberg.
Known for and as, the
"Whistling Coon" and
"Laughing Darkey".
He created "laughing songs".
According to historian Tim Brooks, Johnson was a familiar figure in New York City's Hell's Kitchen and made his first commercial recordings in the spring of 1890 for the Metropolitan and New Jersey Phonograph companies. Previously, Johnson had also made tin foil exhibition recordings. Later in 1890, a group called The Unique Quartette followed Johnson into the recording studio. The Unique Quartette recorded again in 1893, and one of their titles, "Mama's Black Baby Boy" survives in stunning fidelity.
For more on GWJ and other early black
recording artist, click the link before.
Thank you.
