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On the heels of last year’s acclaimed documentary Standing in the
Shadows of Motown comes another documentary that highlights the
careers of those singers who graced the dancehalls from the 1960s
and 1970s. Only the Strong Survive is a documentary film that should
be watched by all to remember the times when soul singers where
at their prime before the evolution of rock and roll began and their
music was no longer at the forefront in the industry.
Every day as time goes by, the music industry changes as well.
Within a matter of weeks, the country decides what form of music
is heavily played. Either rap music is the current trend with 50
Cents busting up the charts, or alternative rock bands like Creed
come back with a new song. There weren’t that many choices of music
in the 60s and 70s. Filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A Pennebaker have
decided to go back to that era and find those singers who are still
around today making music. Although Detroit is commonly known as
the city that gave birth to many legends, other cities had spawned
some off some great talent as well. Places like Memphis and Chicago
had gifted musicians and singers come from there. We see interviews
conducted on Rufus and his daughter Carla Thomas. Rufus was a DJ
for many years as well as a singer. Carla achieved success at an
early age before she left the music industry for school. Needing money, she left
Howard University and went off to Europe to achieve success as a singer but it was never
the same as it once was in the States. As one of the legendary Supremes,
Mary Wilson was never in the spotlight as much as Lady D, but over the
years and on her own, Mary has never stopped performing. Isaac Hayes,
who will forever be known for his Oscar-winning score to Shaft,
is a man of greater fame than people realize. It was he who wrote
most of the songs for lots of legends. Included in the documentary
is the true story of how Motown Records really started. As my name
is Wilson, it was interesting to finally see an interview with Wilson
Pickett as I had heard his name my entire life but never knew who the
man was until now. To most young folks, Jerry Butler is the current
Cook County Commissioner in Chicago, but for those who know him
well, he is still and will be “The Iceman”. Like most of these music documentaries,
there’s a concert at the end that is electrifying. One stage, many
performers, and an audience ready to go back to the past as their favorite
hits are sung again.
Only the Strong Survive is a tribute to those who have stood
the test of time as pioneers of some of today’s music. Songs like
In The Midnight Hour and Shaft and The Wild Man
of Soul are fondly remembered because these were sung with passion
and soul.
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