proprietary argument against white people singing the blues?

Question

So the question we are faced with, whether or not white people should have the right to be singing the blues, is the proprietary argument valid?

With what the experiential access argument shows that, “In effect that one cannot understand the blues or authentically express oneself in blues unless one knows what it’s like to live as a black person in America, and one cannot know this without being one.”

Answer 1

It is often said by many people "to play the blues you have to live the blues". Heartache, hard times, love, and struggle give heart to the songs of a good blues musician. I don't think one race has the corner on the market on any of these themes.

There are thousands of people of ALL races that live the blues!

To quote BB King, "I've said that playing the blues is like having to be black twice. Stevie Ray Vaughan missed on both counts, but I never noticed."

and "That's one of the things about being an entertainer. What we do — it's just sharing the thoughts that many people have. You go to see a movie, and you sit up and cry — it's because something is happening in there that just done happen to you or somebody you know. It's the same thing with what I do. Don't matter if you're gay or straight, black or white, you still have the same problem. It's love. It's universal."

Answer 2

A friend of mine once asked Jerry Jeff Walker why he sang the blues "You gotta get the pain out somehow" answered Jerry Jeff.
Black people don't have a proprietary right on pain.The source of the blues isn't skin color it's poverty.
So maybe you should change your argument to Is there a proprietary argument against people who have never known poverty i.e Bonnie Raitt singing the blues ?

Answer 3

I began studing Rev. Gary Davis in 1969. I have played the blues ( and many other styles ) every since. Over the years of playing semi-professional I have been told many times that I sound Black. I just accept this as a compliment, because this music does have black origins. Also their is no denying there are no white player, anywhere, that didn't have to learn their first licks from a black man( or woman). It' not a race thing, It is the truth.

Answer 4

That's an old argument.. .I'm sure their are some great classically trained black singers who sing great. And Charlie Pride sings country.. which would be white man's blues? Not sure what you were trying to stir up with that question,but it's no longer valid.. If I recall, Clapton, Beck, Peter Green were from England and they started singing the blues in the beginning of their careers. In the beginning, I listened to lot's of black artists.. Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian were big influences as well as Pass,Kessel,Ellis(white guitarists).

Answer 5

I dunno what to say, but lemme throw this ball of confusion into the mix. There was a guy named Phillip Parris Lynnott - bassplayer and chief songwriter and vocalist for the band Thin Lizzy. They did a small handfull of blues songs but were most noted for a hard rock style. Phil wrote some of the most darkest tortured soul lyrics that i've ever heard, and sang them with a passion that was all his own. Some of his songs would make a mississippi black blind man say (there i go with the stereotype..) "Wow...after listening to this cat..my life ain't so bad". Sure Phil was black, but he was Irish....from Ireland! No Delta or juke joints there. Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher (two white guys) were also from there. My second point is that i believe "blues", whether singing OR playing it, has NOTHING to do with race, upbringing, falling on hard times, etc. it's as easy as breaking it down to a technical ability and "Feel", as some say - which consists of notes, inflection, interpretation, and bending, etc. Above all THAT, it's simply a case of "You either got it or you don't".

Answer 6

Blues is about everyone and knows no color. I am a local blues singer from Miami, white and Cuban to boot. Blues is music about life and life tends to hurt sometimes, no matter what your economic standing. Its not always about the, "Man" sticking it to you. It can be your best friend your wife or anyone else for that matter. And what do you say about the sticky dirty love songs like Hootchi Cootchi Man? No, blue knows no color, its what teaches us that we're all the same and without exception end up in the same place. Six feet under.

Answer 7

Hello I just had to answer this question with some information for you. An Asia in lady by the name of Deng Li Jun who is regarded as 1 of the greatest voices ever was reputed to having had over 1 billion fans was a BLUES SINGER She sang in Chinese, Japanese and English A lot of well known english songs,Just thought you would like to know that. some links below for you to check her out

Answer 8

What if a black person living in England wanted to sing the blues?

Are black people allowed to sing country & western tunes?

Answer 9

I think that Music is color blind its the listeners who categorize. I'm 1/2 American Indian 1/2 white and love to play write and listen to the blues. Music is meant to be heard not seen. When i HEAR a song i don't wonder if the performer is a certain color, i listen to the song

Answer 10

Can white people convincingly sing the blues? (White people sure get the blues.) Let me throw a few names out and you tell me. Janis Joplin?, Paul Butterfield?, Stevie Ray Vaughn?, Jonny Lang?, Bonnie Raitt?, Chris Youlden (of Savoy Brown)?, Johnny Winter?, Susan Tedeschi?, Rory Block? What do you think? I can give you more names if you want..