Class A Member: America's Most Talented Generation

 

Listening to vintage classics, you often wonder what it would be like to have lived in an era where such songs were played in every house, club, or stadium. It was just before Christmas 1963 when a twelve-year-old, Gary Shann, would find himself in the center of a new army of musical artists that would emerge in the late sixties, more specifically. In his riveting musical retrospective, Class A Member: A Story of the Jersey Shore Music Scene, he immerses us into a time that saw America's most talented generation.  

Let's catch a glimpse of what that era sounded like. 

The Beginning of Change

The year 1967 would prove to be a significant year for American music, getting the ball rolling for the industry. It was a crucial year toward the musical advent. Unlike the preceding years, 1967 saw a cohesion between the diverse genres thriving in the American musical scenes, which proved to be a treat for the average enthusiast. Furthermore, it also saw a wide range of changes in the tastes of audiences as well. Those who used to bob their heads to soul music found themselves losing their taste for rock. Pop, on the other hand, continued to conquer the charts. From the Stones to James Brown, the AM radio was stacked with tunes still obsessively listened to by fanatics today.

This was the year that blurred the lines of demarcation between soul, rock, and pop.

Music, Music, Music!

Through '68, the world witnessed the true power of America's new and promising musical generation. The unique and varying musical talents resonated with empowering new sounds, perspectives, directions, and passionate visions. Artists, both old and new, had always perceived music as a profession with only so much space at the top, evoking uncertainty. But times were changing. There was an obsession to grasp fate and destiny with an iron grip. Every day, a new artist appeared on the scene, ready to churn out music that would be remembered for years to come, prepared to give in to the audiences and their insatiable demands.

Furthermore, this was also the year when artists, unafraid of involving their music in social and cultural arenas, were discovered. Due to social, economic, and political unrest, silence was not an option. Artists stepped forward, venting their frustrations through music, spearheading a need for change. But more importantly, music helped spread notions of love, peace, and hope, bringing people together.

Talented Artists

The year 1968 featured an ensemble of incredibly talented artists and releases that would further revolutionize the scope of music. This was the year Led Zepplin came out with their first album, sold millions of copies, and earned gold certification within a month. 1970, too, had iconic singles such as the megahit "Celebrate," which gave people a reason to smile during the turbulence of war and economic challenges.

Through this era, there was another musical phenomenon taking place. It was the manifestation of the vision of a man known for his creative genius, fluffy beard, and knack for championing incredible young artists—Tom Potter.

In the spring of 1968, the Upstage Club was founded by Tom Potter. The club would give artists a platform to showcase their talents, and that, too, for free with Tom Potter's Class A membership idea. Gary Shann, or "The Little Man with the Big Voice," would be one of those very artists who would knock audiences off their seats within the walls of the building that harbors a rich legacy of iconic singing. Take a glance back to the golden days of American music in Gary Shann's book, Class A Member: The Jersey Shore Music Scene.