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Leadbelly (film)
Encyclopedia
Leadbelly is a 1976
film chronicling the life of folk singer
Huddie William Ledbetter
(better known as "Leadbelly"). The film was directed by Gordon Parks
, and starred Roger E. Mosley
in the title role. The film focuses on the troubles of Leadbelly's youth in the segregated
South
including his time in prison
, and his efforts to use his music to gain release.
1976 in film
The year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
film chronicling the life of folk singer
Folk Singer
Folk Singer is a 1964 album by Muddy Waters. Waters plays acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar...
Huddie William Ledbetter
Leadbelly
Huddie William Ledbetter was an iconic American folk and blues musician, notable for his strong vocals, his virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the songbook of folk standards he introduced....
(better known as "Leadbelly"). The film was directed by Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks
Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks was a groundbreaking American photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director...
, and starred Roger E. Mosley
Roger E. Mosley
Roger Earl Mosley is an American actor best known for his role as the helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin on the long running television series, Magnum, P.I., which starred Tom Selleck as the title character.-Early life:...
in the title role. The film focuses on the troubles of Leadbelly's youth in the segregated
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
including his time in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
, and his efforts to use his music to gain release.
Further reading
- Kevles, Barbara. "The Marketing of Leadbelly." Cineaste Fall 2003: 34-35.
- Boyd,III, L. Roi. "Exploring Gordon Parks' "Leadbelly": Thirty Years Later" BTNews Vol.16, No.1 Winter/Spring 2006: 15-20.