When I was a kid (I’m 52 now) there was a stigma associated with black people listening to “white people’s music”. This was something that just wasn’t done among the people I grew up with.
My family moved to a predominantly white community when I entered the 6th grade and I was exposed to music I wouldn’t normally listen to. But when I was with my black friends, I could never admit to liking pop music.
It so happened that I was once invited to a house party in my grandmother’s neighborhood. Upon entering I heard music quite unlike the Motown my sister preferred or the R&B played on the radio. I moseyed on over to the record player to learn the source of this unusual music. This was my first exposure to Grand Funk Railroad, a three piece (at the time) rock ‘n roll band.
Who’da guessed I’d discover rock ‘n roll in the heart of a black neighborhood?
Been in love with rock ever since.