NMAAHC Collections Search

Untitled

Photograph by: Williams, Milton, American, born 1940
Subject of: Green, Al, American, born 1946; Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, American, founded 1961; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image and Sheet): 13 7/8 x 10 15/16 in. (35.2 x 27.8 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place depicted: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: July 31, 1976

Caption: Singer Al Green performing ‘Tired of Being Alone’ during the Kool Jazz Festival at RFK stadium in Washington. July 31, 1976.; Milton Williams, Moments in Time, 1973-1993 (Nashville: James C. Winston Publishing Co., 1996), 35.
Description: A black-and-white photograph of Al Green singing on stage with three backup singers in the background. The photograph is stamped and inscribed on the back.

Topic: African American; Festivals; Gospel (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number: 2011.15.69

Restrictions & Rights: © Milton Williams

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Alvin "Red" Tyler, 1992

Photograph by: Spitzer, David D., American
Subject of: Tyler, Alvin "Red", American, 1925 - 1998

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 13 11/16 x 9 3/16 in. (34.7 x 23.4 cm); H x W (Sheet): 13 3/4 x 11 in. (35 x 28 cm); H x W (Matted): 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Alvin "Red" Tyler playing saxophone at a performance in Charlotte, NC. He is wearing a horizontal striped shirt tucked into his pants, glasses, and a beret.

Topic: African American; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number: 2012.164.2

Restrictions & Rights: © David D. Spitzer

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Aretha Franklin, SCLC convention, Club Paradise, Memphis, TN

Created by: Dr. Withers, Ernest C., American, 1922 - 2007
Subject of: Franklin, Aretha, American, 1942 - 2018; Unidentified Man or Men; Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place depicted: Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

Date: July 1968

Description: Aretha Franklin is seated, wearing a white jacket with feathery cuffs, and sings into a microphone.

Topic: African American; Civil rights; Gospel (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.16.19

Restrictions & Rights: © Ernest C. Withers Trust

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume dress worn by Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues

Designed by: Mackie, Bob, American, born 1940; Aghayan, Ray, Iranian American, born 1934; Koch, Norma, American, 1898 - 1979
Worn by: Ross, Diana, American, born 1944
Subject of: Holiday, Billie, American, 1915 - 1959

Medium: wool twill with metal hooks
Dimensions: H x W (Flat): 48 1/2 × 19 in. (123.2 × 48.3 cm)

Type: dresses

Place used: United States, North and Central America

Date: 1972

Description: Teal twill wool long-sleeved mid-calf length dress worn by Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in the Paramount Pictures produced 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues." The dress has a mock turtleneck and no waist seam, but center front and back seams. There are diagonal light green stripes of wool that angle in a point-up double chevron on the bodice and wrap around to the back. The dress closes at the center back from the neck to below the waist with eleven (11) self-covered teal buttons and self loops, and thirteen (13) hooks that attach to the loops. Additionally, there is one (1) black snap at the top of the neck and two (2) snaps at the bottom of the back closure. Thread-wrapped metal is sewn at the interior of the upper part of the shoulder seams to make the mock turtleneck stand out from the neck. The dress is not lined and is hand hemmed.

Topic: African American; Actors; Clothing and dress; Costume; Fashion; Film; Jazz (Music); Motown (Music); Musical films; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2012.64.4.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume; Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bass guitar used by Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang

Manufactured by: Oasis Guitars, American
Used by: Kool & the Gang, American, founded 1964; Robert "Kool" Bell, American, born 1950

Medium: wood, brass (alloy), metal and plastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 1/2 × 13 7/8 × 3 in. (118.1 × 35.2 × 7.6 cm)

Type: musical instruments; guitars

Place made: Juliesse Avenue, Sacramento, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1976-1978

Description: 2015.212a: An electric bass guitar used by Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool and the Gang. The bass guitar is made of light colored wood and has brass tuning pegs. It has two pickups in black. The strings are attached to an oval shaped metal tailpiece with four smaller tuners. The bass also has four volume and tone controls on the left side of the lower front body. Two switches for pick-ups are also on the lower left side of the front body. On the headstock is gold inlay with the bass name running vertically down the center that reads “O / A / S / I / S.” The top of the headstock has an inlaid gold design. Imprinted into the wood on the back of the headstock at the top is “37 57 / USA.” On the back of the body on the lower left side is an oval-shaped black electronics cavity plate. Also on the back at the top near of the neck is a strap button.; 2015.212b: Guitar is housed in a guitar case.

Topic: African American; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Rhythm and blues (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & The Gang

Object number: 2015.212ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ravers: The Black Rock Coalition Arts Magazine: Winter 1994

Published by: Positive Press Inc., American
Subject of: Black Rock Coalition, American, founded 1985; Ndegeocello, Meshell, German-American, born 1968; Mother's Finest, American; Get Set V.O.P., American, founded 1993; Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002; Patra, Jamaican, born 1972; Terri & Monica, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (folded): 7 3/4 × 11 1/2 in. (19.7 × 29.2 cm); H x W (unfolded): 14 7/8 × 11 in. (37.8 × 27.9 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1994

Description: A copy of Black Rock Coalition's (BRC) Ravers magazine, Winter 1994. The title reads "RAVERS/ THE BLACK ROCK COALITION ARTS MAGAZINE" in different fonts, centered at top, with the words "Winter 1994" below to the left and "Volume 1 Number 2" below to the right. The main image of the unfolded front page is a woman wearing a black floor-length skirt, a bandeau across the breast, and an asymmetrical vest, with her hands raised behind her head and her eyes closed, on a solid background. The caption reads "MOTHER'S FINEST/ GET SET V.O.P. / RUN-DMC/ KELVYN BELL/ PATRA/ TERRI & MONICA" on the left, and "BEATNIK NOUVEAU/ ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO/ (N-DAY-GAY-O-CHELLO)" underneath, centered. The interior pages are off-white with black type and black-and-white images. Back cover has a large ad for BRC, reading "SUPPORT THE BLACK ROCK COALITION" at the top with a BRC logo underneath, with the words "TO BECOME A MEMBER SEND YOUR/ NAME AND ADDRES TO THE BLACK/ ROCK COALITION, P.O. BOX 1054,/ COOPER STATION, NEW YORK, NY/ 10276."

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Mass media; Metal (Music); Punk (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Rock Coalition - LaRonda Davis, President

Object number: 2015.42.14.8.3

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five

Photograph by: Kriegsmann, James J., 1909 - 1994
Subject of: Jordan, Louis, American, 1908 - 1975; Lane, Chester, American, 1912 - 2004; Kirkwood, John, American; Jay, Thurber, American, born 1918; Payne, Bert, American; Mitchell, Bob, American; Unidentified Woman or Women; Tympany Five, American, 1938 - 1961

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 7 1/2 × 9 3/8 in. (19 × 23.8 cm); H x W (Sheet): 8 3/16 × 10 1/16 in. (20.8 × 25.5 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place made: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1938-1961

Description: A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five and two (2) women. The six (6) men and two (2) women are depicted in two rows. The women are seated in the front row, with all of the men standing in a line behind them. The women wear matching floral dresses with spaghetti straps and ruched bodices. The men wear matching medium toned suits, white dress shirts, and ties. The men, depicted from left to right are Johnny Kirkwood, Chester Lane, Bob Mitchell, Louis Jordan, Bert Payne, and Thurber Jay. At the center, Louis Jordan holds a saxophone between the seated women. The photographer's mark is printed in the negative in the bottom right corner, [James J / Kriegsmann / N.Y.]. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the photograph.

Topic: African American; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.46.25.83

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ray Charles - Convention Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. - 1980

Photograph by: Robert Houston, American, born 1935
Subject of: Charles, Ray, American, 1930 - 2004

Medium: digital
Dimensions: H x W: 16644pixels × 12142pixels

Type: portraits; digital images; digital media - born analog

Place depicted: Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1980

Description: This image depicts musician Ray Charles playing the piano. Wearing a light colored tuxedo with a lighter stripe down the pant leg, a black bow tie, and sunglasses, he sits on a piano bench with a microphone in front of him. His arms are raised to play, but his hands and the majority of the piano is in shadow. Light falls primarily on his face and upper torso, while the rest of the image is in shadow. His face is angled upward and turned slightly towards the microphone.

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music); Men; Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Greta Houston

Object number: 2014.116.20

Restrictions & Rights: © Robert Houston

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Feathered headdress from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Designed by: Blakely, Dorian
Worn by: Hendryx, Nona, American, born 1944
Subject of: Labelle, American, founded 1962

Medium: feather, satin, wood, metal, leather, and Velcro™
Dimensions: H x W x D (On form): 33 × 29 × 31 in. (83.8 × 73.7 × 78.7 cm)

Type: headdresses

Place used: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1974

Description: This headdress is part of a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle. The costume consists of a headdress (.1), a cape (.2), silver studded black leather collar, breast covers, and codpiece (.3a-d), wrist cuffs (.4ab), platform boots (.5ab), prop handcuffs (.6), and a prop riding crop (.7).; The headdress (.1) consists of a fauxhawk with feathers and black leather side straps that fasten under the chin. The fauxhawk section is made of two pieces of hard material, probably wood, that is covered in black satin and decorated with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs on the exterior sides. Short black iridescent feathers, alternating with very long off-white feathers, are glued around the top edges of each hard side. The two sides are connected with a wide strip of black satin that is nailed and stapled along the bottom edge of each side. On the top area, pieces of wire connect to the inner sides of the hard pieces, allowing the sides to hinge outward slightly and to conform to the curve of the wearer's head. The top is filled with short black iridescent feathers. At the bottom outside edge of each hard side of the fauxhawk, two (2) straps of black leather are nailed. Each set of two straps is decorated with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs, and extends down the wearer's head so that one (1) strap goes in front of the ear and one (1) strap goes behind the ear. The two sets of straps fasten under the chin with a large metal snap. There are three (3) small silver grommets on the end of each strap that may have functioned as a lacing system for an additional tie closure.; This costume is very similar to a costume worn by Hendryx during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 6, 1974.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Costume; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Object number: 2014.246.2.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Prop handcuffs from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Designed by: Blakely, Dorian
Worn by: Hendryx, Nona, American, born 1944
Subject of: Labelle, American, founded 1962

Medium: metal and leather
Dimensions: H x W x D (On form): 7 3/4 × 4 3/4 × 2 in. (19.7 × 12.1 × 5.1 cm); H x W x D (Flat): 4 5/8 × 10 3/8 × 1 in. (11.7 × 26.4 × 2.5 cm)

Type: handcuffs; props

Place used: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1974

Description: These prop handcuffs are part of a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle. The costume consists of a headdress (.1), a cape (.2), silver studded black leather collar, breast covers, and codpiece (.3a-d), wrist cuffs (.4ab), platform boots (.5ab), prop handcuffs (.6), and a prop riding crop (.7).; The handcuffs (.6) attached at the proper left hip of the white long-sleeved ankle-length unitard. The handcuffs are standard silver stainless steel, with rotating arm holes hinged to a ratchet mechanism for adjustable fit. The cuffs are attached together with a short length of heavy metal chain. One (1) strip of black leather wraps over the chain. The leather is decorated with convex silver rounded metal nail head studs and is tacked together at the sides. Two (2) large metal hooks are attached to the inside of the leather wrap, so that the cuffs dangle down from the leather wrap when they are hooked to the unitard.; This costume is very similar to a costume worn by Hendryx during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 6, 1974.

Topic: African American; Costume; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Object number: 2014.246.2.6

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Poster for The Four Inkspots and the N.B.C. Orchestra

Created by: Unidentified
Distributed by: Gale Inc., American
Subject of: The Ink Spots, American, 1931 - 1964; NBC Symphony Orchestra, American, 1937 - 1954

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 22 x 14 in. (55.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: posters

Place depicted: Norwich University, Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1950s

Description: A poster advertising a performance of The Four Ink Spots plus the N.B.C. Orchestra in Northfield, Vermont at the Norwich University Armory on May 3rd. The poster has black writing at the top that gives information about the event. The center of the poster contains large lettering that reads: The Four Ink Spots and a black and white photograph of the group. Text at the bottom gives additional information about the performance as well as the name of the management company sponsoring the group. The back of the poster is blank.

Topic: African American; Amusements; Popular music; Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.57.35

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro: Untitled

Photograph of chorus girls backstage at the Rum Boogie Club

Created by: Miller, Wayne F., American, 1918 - 2013
Subject of: Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 10 3/8 x 10 3/8 in. (26.4 x 26.4 cm); H x W (Sheet): 13 1/4 x 10 3/8 in. (33.7 x 26.4 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place depicted: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1946-1948

Description: A black-and-white photograph of an African American chorus girl who is sitting and fixing her hair backstage while the other chorus girls around her are getting dressed and putting on make-up.

Topic: African American; Bebop (Music); Blues (Music); Jazz (Music); Nightlife; Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.24.10

Restrictions & Rights: © Magnum Photos

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: The Way of Life of the Northern Negro
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Red trousers worn by Fats Domino

Created by: Unidentified
Worn by: Fats Domino, American, 1928 - 2017

Medium: synthetic fiber, plastic buttons, and metal fasteners
Dimensions: L x W: 41 x 18 in. (104.1 x 45.7 cm)

Type: trousers

Place used: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

Date: late 20th Century

Description: These red pants were worn by Fats Domino and have straight legs and an adjustable waist. The pants are made from a red synthetic fabric and close at the center front waist with a metal zipper, one (1) flat metal hook-and-eye, and two (2) round plastic buttons, one gray and one red. There are two (2) diagonally inset pockets, one at each front side waist, and two (2) welted pockets, one at each back side below the waistband. The proper left back pocket closes with one (1) round plastic red button. Adjustable self-fabric straps on each side of the waistband fasten with silver-colored metal buckles above each front side pocket. The pants are lined only at the waistband with an off-white synthetic fiber, which is also used as pocket lining. A label with printed information regarding care is sewn on the interior proper right back side of the waistband.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Antoine "Fats" Domino

Object number: 2013.59.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Collar, breast covers, and codpiece from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx

Designed by: Blakely, Dorian
Worn by: Hendryx, Nona, American, born 1944
Subject of: Labelle, American, founded 1962

Medium: leather and metal
Dimensions: H x W x D ((a) On form): 7 × 20 1/2 × 8 in. (17.8 × 52.1 × 20.3 cm); H x W x D ((b) On form): 7 × 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (17.8 × 1.3 × 8.9 cm); H x W x D ((c) On form): 7 × 7 × 4 in. (17.8 × 17.8 × 10.2 cm); H x W x D ((d) On form): 5 3/16 × 3 1/2 × 2 3/8 in. (13.2 × 8.9 × 6 cm)

Type: codpieces; collars (neckwear)

Place used: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1974

Description: These four (4) black leather covers are part of a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle. The costume consists of a headdress (.1), a cape (.2), silver studded black leather collar, breast covers, and codpiece (.3a-d), wrist cuffs (.4ab), platform boots (.5ab), prop handcuffs (.6), and a prop riding crop (.7).; The four (4) black leather covers (.3a-d) are decorated with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs. They were worn with a white long-sleeved, ankle-length unitard. The unitard is not part of the museum collection, but it is presumed that the snaps on the reverse of the covers attached to snaps that were sewn onto the unitard.; Collar, .a: The shaped collar has a rounded front center dip, and long sides with rounded ends that fully cover both shoulders. The collar is open at the back. It is made from a single layer of four (4) pieces of black leather seamed at the center front and on each shoulder, and left raw on the outside edges except at the front neck area where it is turned to the back and hemmed. The collar is decorated all over with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs. There are three (3) large metal snaps on the back of the collar, one male snap at the center front and one female snap at each back side. A silver safety pin is stuck through the fabric at the tip of the proper right back side of the collar.; Breast covers, b, c: Both the breast covers are alike, roughly circular in shape with a slight roundness to them achieved by a seam near the middle. They are made from a single layer of black leather turned around the edges and hemmed on the reverse. The breast covers are decorated all over with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs. There are four (4) large metal female snaps on the reverse of each cover spaced evenly around the outer edge. A silver safety pin is stuck through near the edge on each of the breast covers.; Codpiece-style cover, d: The codpiece-like cover is shaped like an upside-down teardrop when attached to the unitard. It is made from a single layer of black leather turned around the edges and hemmed on the reverse. The cover is decorated all over with convex silver rounded nail head metal studs. There is one large silver hook sewn on the front of the pointed end. There are two (2) large metal male snaps on the reverse at each corner of the wider rounded end.; This costume is very similar to a costume worn by Hendryx during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 6, 1974.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Costume; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Object number: 2014.246.2.3a-d

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Platform boots from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Designed by: Blakely, Dorian
Worn by: Hendryx, Nona, American, born 1944
Subject of: Labelle, American, founded 1962

Medium: plastic, synthetic fiber, leather, metal, batting, and Velcro™
Dimensions: H x W x D (a): 19 × 9 1/4 × 3 3/4 in. (48.3 × 23.5 × 9.5 cm); H x W x D (b): 18 × 3 3/4 × 9 3/8 in. (45.7 × 9.5 × 23.8 cm)

Type: boots

Place used: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Manhattan County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1974

Description: These boots are part of a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle. The costume consists of a headdress (.1), a cape (.2), silver studded black leather collar, breast covers, and codpiece (.3a-d), wrist cuffs (.4ab), platform boots (.5ab), prop handcuffs (.6), and a prop riding crop (.7).; The two platform boots (.5ab) are both alike, made from modified open-toed ankle-strap platform heel shoes with customized uppers. The leg covers were permanently attached to the platform heel shoes, using small brads and larger flat-headed nails. The shoes have wooden platforms, black satin toe straps, and ankle straps. The ankle straps close at the outer ankle with a silver metal buckle. Black Velcro™ is nailed to each back side of the platform heel, with both sides of the Velcro™ stuck together and having an unclear purpose. Convex silver rounded metal nail head studs are nailed around all sides of the platform. The uppers of the foot and the leg covers are made from a single layer of black leather. An additional piece of black leather is wrapped around padding and sewn along the top edge to form a three-dimensional decorative element. The leather is decorated all over with convex silver rounded metal nail head studs. The covers close up the center back with a silver metal zipper. There are two (2) studs in the bottom of the right shoe (b), one on the back edge of the ball of the foot, the other on the outer edge of the heel. There is a stamp on the insole of the right shoe (b) that reads "Oran[ge?]" in white print.; This costume is very similar to a costume worn by Hendryx during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on October 6, 1974.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Costume; Disco (Music); Funk (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Rock and roll (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Object number: 2014.246.2.5ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Untitled

Photograph by: Williams, Milton, American, born 1940
Subject of: Charles, Ray, American, 1930 - 2004; The Raelettes, American, 1956 - 2004; The Howard Theatre, American, founded 1910

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 9 7/16 x 13 15/16 in. (24 x 35.4 cm); H x W (Sheet): 11 x 13 15/16 in. (27.9 x 35.4 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place depicted: Howard Theatre, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: May 17, 1980

Caption: Howard Theater. I used to catch them at the Howard Theater in the fifties when they were performing this song. Just when you thought Ray Charles was going to fall off his seat, he would lean into the mike and really get into the music. They Raelettes were always as fine as they wanted to be. May 17, 1980.; Milton Williams, Moments in Time, 1973-1993 (Nashville: James C. Winston Publishing Co., 1996), 45.
Description: A black-and-white photograph of Ray Charles and the Raelettes performing at the Howard Theatre. Charles is seated at a piano, with the Raelettes standing to the right. The photograph is stamped and inscribed on the back.

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music); Local and regional; Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number: 2011.15.101

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Untitled

Digital image of Charlie Wilson, Ronnie Wilson, and Robert Wilson

Photograph by: Herron, Gaylord Oscar, American
Subject of: Wilson, Charlie, American; Wilson, Ronnie, American; Wilson, Robert, American, 1956 - 2010; The Gap Band, American, 1967 - 2010

Medium: digital
Dimensions: H x W: 1274pixels × 1525pixels

Type: portraits; digital images; digital media - born analog

Place captured: Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1974

Description: A sepia toned digital image of brothers Charlie (right), Ronnie (center), and Robert (left) Wilson. They are all wearing 1970s-style tops and bell-bottom pants with various style hats, one top hat and two in what looks like a cowboy style.

Topic: African American; American West; Communities; Families; Funk (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gaylord Oscar Herron

Object number: 2012.67.52

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 6

Published by: Tuesday Publications, Inc., American, 1965 - 1970s
Edited by: Evans, William Leonard Jr., American, 1914 - 2007
Subject of: Ausby, Ellsworth, American, 1942 - 2011; Machado de Assis, Joaquim Maria, Brazilian, born 1839; Butler, Jerry Jr., American, born 1939
Owned by: Robinson, Avis Collins, American, born 1954

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 1/8 × 10 7/8 in. (33.3 × 27.6 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: February 1970

Description: Edition of Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 6. The cover has black printed text at the top and graphics below. The text reads [NATIONAL / EDITION Tuesday / MAGAZINE] with [FEBRUARY 1970 · ISSUED MONTHLY] in the upper right corner. A list of topics discussed in the magazine is below this [A SPECIAL LOOK / AT THE WORLD OF / BLACK CULTURE / New Artists: / The Style is Personal / The Moviemakers: / Saying It On Film / The Negro in / World History: / Novelist, / Machado de Assis / Jerry Butler: / “The Rhythm, the / Blues, the Roots”]. The front cover has an image of artist Ellsworth Ausby in front of a colorful background. The cover photography is by Doug Harris. There are various articles and advertisements in the issue. The back cover has a Kool cigarettes advertisement. The magazine has twenty-eight (28) pages.

Topic: African American; Advertising; Art; Business; Film; Literature; Mass media; Music; Musicians; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2018.17.11.4

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, 1987

Photograph by: Spitzer, David D., American
Subject of: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, American, 1917 - 1988

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 13 5/8 x 9 5/16 in. (34.6 x 23.6 cm); H x W (Sheet): 13 3/4 x 10 5/8 in. (35 x 27 cm); H x W (Matted): 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1987

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson playing a saxophone at a performance in Hialeah, FL. He is performing outdoors and wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and dark tie. A ring is visible on his left hand.

Topic: African American; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music); Photography; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number: 2012.164.4

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Philippe Wynne and Purvis Jackson of the The Spinners with Linda Jackson and the wife and daughter of radio DJ Detroit Benson, Circle Star Theater, June 1973

Photograph by: Jackson, Steve Jr., 1923 - 1999
Subject of: Spinners, American, founded 1954; Wynne, Philippé, American, 1941 - 1984; Unidentified Woman or Women; Unidentified Child or Children; Jackson, Linda A., American

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (image): 7 7/16 × 9 7/16 in. (18.9 × 24 cm); H x W (sheet): 7 15/16 × 9 7/8 in. (20.1 × 25.1 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place depicted: San Carlos, San Mateo County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: June 1973

Description: This black and white photograph depicts a group of five people; two men, two women and a little girl. On the left is a woman dressed in a light colored shirt and pants, with a light colored purse over her right shoulder. Next to her is a man in a light colored shirt under a dark jacket and dark pants, who stands with his right arm around her. On his other side is a shorter woman in a light colored, collared shirt and dark vest, with dark pants and a dark purse. She stands slightly sideways to the viewer. Standing in front of her is a little girl wearing a dress in a pattered fabric that wraps around her leaving one shoulder bare. The little girl stands squarely in front of the viewer but turns her head to look over her right shoulder. On her other side stands a tall man dressed in a light colored short sleeve shirt and pants with his hands clasped behind his back. In the background is a man sitting on a stool. On the back of the photograph is a green sticker with handwritten text that reads "#31."

Topic: African American; Entertainers; Musicians; Photography; Radio; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mary E. Jackson, Posthumously and Linda A. Jackson

Object number: 2016.117.31

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Untitled

Alvin "Red" Tyler, 1992

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Costume dress worn by Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues

Bass guitar used by Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang

Ravers: The Black Rock Coalition Arts Magazine: Winter 1994

Photograph of Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five

Ray Charles - Convention Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. - 1980

Feathered headdress from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

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Poster for The Four Inkspots and the N.B.C. Orchestra

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro: Untitled

Red trousers worn by Fats Domino

Collar, breast covers, and codpiece from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx

Platform boots from a costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Untitled

Untitled

Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 6

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, 1987

Philippe Wynne and Purvis Jackson of the The Spinners with Linda Jackson and the wife and daughter of radio DJ Detroit Benson, Circle Star Theater, June 1973

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