The Beat Generation, the original writers of the 50’s, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and, to some extent, Gregory Corso, were the typical example of white middle class America, yet they wrote about suffering and the 40’s post war counter culture that was rising. At the time how could they have known that their words would not only serve as an inspiration to a generation of music, it would become the foundation for many movements that would challenge the norm of the American middle class and have a ripple effect out to the rest of the world.

It was the end of the 50’s, The Freedom Riders had yet to travel across America and JFK was still working up to the delivery of his famous speech in Washington. The musicians at the time, white or black that had been inspired by his words and the music of the Freedom Riders came to offer their support. Suddenly the black tones of gospel blues and roots were given a voice and the label, Motown, that had arisen to promote black artists. It was time for the Rise of Soul

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