Scope and Contents
Series II: Individuals spans the years 1953 to 1973 and 1983 and includes undated materials. The bulk of the series contains black-and-white and color photographs and negatives of some of the most popular R&B artists of the late-1950s and 1960s, as well as local Cleveland musicians, business owners, other entertainers (e.g., dancers, comedians, disc jockeys), and politicians from the same time period. Please note that many of the folder dates reflect the date the film was processed, not necessarily the date of the performance. Most images are taken at Cleveland-area venues, including the Arena, the Band Box, Birdland Lounge, Lake Glen Country Club, Leo's Casino, the Lorain Armory, Masonic Temple, the Music Box, Pla-mor Ballroom, the Sheraton-Cleveland, and the Statler Hotel; identified exceptions include Alan Freed (Akron), and Sallie Blair (Cotton Club, Washington, D.C.). High profile artists featured include Louis Armstrong, LaVern Baker, Count Basie, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, the Drifters, the Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Alan Freed, Bill Haley and the Comets, Roy Hamilton, Lionel Hampton, Mahalia Jackson, Louis Jordan, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Lymon, Rick Nelson, the O'Jays, the Platters, Lloyd Price, the Temptations, the Vandellas, Dinah Washington, and Jackie Wilson. The bulk of the images are of live performances, but there are also more candid photos from backstage and of the audience in attendance at these events. In addition to photographic materials, the series also contains a few business cards for local talent. The files are arranged alphabetically by artist/group name. Within the files, the photographs are arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.
