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Description: A silver pin back button with black type. The black text follows the apex of the button and reads: [IT'S A NATURAL HIGH!]. Just beneath the arched text is the Motown logo. Beneath the logo are three lines of block black text which read: [COMMODORES / 1978 PLATINUM / TOUR]. The back of the pin has a metal clasp and an etched inscription.

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

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

Object number: 2016.68.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera
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

Verdi - Aïda (Highlights)

Published by: RCA Records, founded 1901
Recorded by: Price, Leontyne, American, born 1927; Vickers, Jon, Canadian, 1926 - 2015; Gorr, Rita, Belgian, 1926 - 2012; Merrill, Robert, American, 1917 - 2004; Tozzi, Giorgio, American, 1923 - 2011

Medium: magnetic tape, paper, plastic
Dimensions: Diameter (tape reel): 7 × 1/2 in. (17.8 × 1.3 cm); H x W x D (reel box): 7 7/16 × 7 7/16 × 3/4 in. (18.9 × 18.9 × 1.9 cm)

Type: audiotapes

Date: 1962

Description: A tape reel of Verdi-Aida (2016.68.10a) that is housed in a cardboard case (2016.68.10b). The front of the case features a closely framed portrait of Leontyne Price looking upward in costume as the character Aïda from Verdi's opera "Aïda." Above Price's portrait are two equally-sized rectangle text boxes; the rectangle to the left is orange while the rectangle to the right is black. White and black text in the rectangle to the left reads [HIGHLIGHTS / AÏDA / VERDI]. White and orange text in the rectangle to the right reads [PRICE • VICKERS / GORR • MERRILL • TOZZI / SOLTI • / ROME OPERA HOUSE / ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS / Selected by the Metropolitan Opera]. Above these two rectangle text boxes is a series of text boxes aligned with the top edge which contain the record label logo and stereo specifications. The back of the case has black text on a white background that gives information about the tape. The reel has a RCA Victor red label.

Topic: African American; Classical (Music); Composers (Musicians); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Opera (Music); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.68.10ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Strut Miss Lizzie / Home Again Blues

Published by: Black Swan Records, American, 1920 - 1923
Recorded by: Whidby, Lulu, American; Henderson, Fletcher, American, 1897 - 1952

Medium: vinyl, adhesive, paper
Dimensions: Diameter: 9 7/8 × 1/16 in. (25.1 × 0.2 cm)

Type: phonograph records

Date: 1921

Description: A black vinyl record with a yellow label at its center printed with black text. The record label logo is above the center; it is an illustration of a swan encircled with the text of the record label name [BLACK SWAN RECORDS]. Beneath the record's center it lists the song title and production information for each side. Side A reads [Strut Miss Lizzie / (Creamer - Layton) / Lulu Whidby / Henderson's Novelty Orch.] Side B reads [Home Again Blues / Berlin - Akst / Lulu Whidby]. Beneath the song titles there is production information, the manufacturer's name is printed along the bottom arc of the label [MFD. BY PACE PHONOGRAPH CORP., NEW YORK].

Topic: African American; Blues (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.68.11

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Night Mare / Hound Dog

Published by: Peacock Records, Inc., American, founded 1949
Recorded by: Thornton, Big Mama, American, 1926 - 1984

Medium: vinyl, adhesive, paper
Dimensions: Diameter: 9 7/8 × 1/16 in. (25.1 × 0.2 cm)

Type: 78 rpm records

Place depicted: Houston, Texas, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1953

Description: A black vinyl record with a red label at its center filled with silver text. Above the record's center is the record label logo, an illustrated peacock perched on the "c" in "Peacock" of the text [Peacock RECORDS]. Beneath the record's center it lists the song title and its production information; one side reads [HOUND DOG / (J. Leiber - M. Stroller - J. Otis) / WILLIE MAE / "Big Mama" THORNTON / Kansas City Bill & Orchestra]. The other side reads [Night Mare (J. Leiber - M. Stroller - J. Otis) / WILLIE MAE / "Big Mama" THORNTON / Kansas City Bill & Orchestra]. Text aligned with the arc beneath the song title reads [PEACOCK RECORDING CO. 4104 LYONS AVE. HOUSTON, TEXAS].

Topic: African American; 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

Object number: 2016.68.12

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Backstage pass for SWV concert

Manufactured by: Perri Entertainment Services, Inc., American, 1992 - 2003
Subject of: SWV, American, founded 1990

Medium: ink, paper, plastic
Dimensions: H x W: 4 13/16 × 2 7/8 × 1/16 in. (12.2 × 7.3 × 0.2 cm)

Type: passes (tickets)

Date: 1996

Description: A laminated VIP pass for a SWV (Sisters With Voices) concert. The front of the pass features a color photograph of the group posing together; Cheryl "Coko" Gamble is closest to the bottom edge of the image while Tamara "Taj" Johnson leans her chin on Gamble's proper right shoulder. Leanne "Lelee" Lyons stands behind Johnson and Gamble and leans forward so that her chin rests on the crown of Johnson's head. The women all wear fur stoles around their shoulders. Stylized text in the top right corner of the pass reads [SISTERS WITH VOICE / SWV / NEW BEGINNING]. Black text at the bottom of the pass reads [VIP].

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

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

Object number: 2016.68.13

Restrictions & Rights: © 1996 BMG Entertainment. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera
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

So Much / Forgive and Forget

Published by: Jubilee Records, American, 1946 - 1970
Recorded by: Orioles, The, American, 1946 - 1956

Medium: vinyl, adhesive, paper
Dimensions: Diameter: 9 7/8 × 1/16 in. (25.1 × 0.2 cm)

Type: 78 rpm records

Date: 1949

Description: This is a black vinyl record with a blue label at its center printed with silver text. Above the record's center is the record label's logo, which reads [Jubilee] in script. Beneath the record's center is more silver text which lists the respective song titles and production information for each side. One side reads [SO MUCH / (Whitman - Miller) / THE ORIOLES]. The other side reads [FORGIVE AND FORGET / Deborah Chessler / THE ORIOLES].

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

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

Object number: 2016.68.14

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Spirituals in Concert

Published by: Deutsche Grammophon, German, founded 1898
Recorded by: Battle, Kathleen, American, born 1948; Norman, Jessye Mae, American, born 1945

Medium: magnetic tape, plastic, paper
Dimensions: H x W x D (audio cassette): 2 1/2 × 4 1/16 × 1/2 in. (6.4 × 10.3 × 1.3 cm); H x W x D (case): 4 5/16 × 2 3/4 × 11/16 in. (11 × 7 × 1.7 cm)

Type: audio cassettes

Date: 1991

Description: A cassette tape of Spirituals in Concert recorded by Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman.; (2016.68.2a): A translucent black cassette tape with white type. It reads [SPIRITUALS IN CONCERT: Kathleen Battle • Jessye Norman • James Levine / (see insert for program)] above the window on both sides. Production information is below the window on both sides; (2016.68.2b): The interior paper is folded to fit to the clear plastic lid. The front of the paper is red and overlaid the background color are portraits of two women in evening gowns aligned with the left and right sides of the frame; between the two women is text which reads [KATHLEEN JESSYE / BATTLE NORMAN / SPIRITUALS / IN CONCERT / CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA / conducted by / JAMES / LEVINE].; (2016.68.2c): A clear plastic cassette case with a hinged opening.

Topic: African American; Classical (Music); Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2016.68.2abc

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ticket for a Stevie Wonder performance in Japan

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Subject of: Wonder, Stevie, American, born 1950

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 2 × 5 1/2 in. (5.1 × 14 cm)

Type: tickets

Place depicted: Japan, Asia

Date: 1981

Description: A ticket for a 1981 performance by Stevie Wonder in Japan. The front of the ticket is predominantly blue in color with a small horizontal strip of white beneath the larger blue block; within the blue block is a line of large black text which reads [STEVIE WONDER]. The other text is written in Japanese characters with cardinal numbers. To the left of the ticket's main body is a perforated edge with the ticket stub is still attached. The stub is white with black text. The back of the ticket has additional information in black text on white paper. A partial stamp is visible on the left side.

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Motown (Music); Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2016.68.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera
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 Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards

Published by: Verve Records, American, founded 1956
Recorded by: Basie, Count, American, 1904 - 1984; Williams, Joe, American, 1918 - 1999

Medium: magnetic tape, plastic, paper
Dimensions: Diameter (tape reel): 7 × 1/2 in. (17.8 × 1.3 cm); H x W x D (container): 7 5/16 × 7 5/16 × 11/16 in. (18.6 × 18.6 × 1.7 cm)

Type: audiotapes

Date: 1956

Description: This is a tape reel (2016.68.5a) housed in a cardboard box (2016.68.5b). The front cover of the box features a color photograph of Count Basie and Joe Williams overlaid with text. The image as a whole is tinted orange. Joe Williams is pictured in the bottom left corner in profile wearing a yellow collared shirt singing into a microphone. A closer cropped portrait of Count Basie is aligned with the right side of the frame; Basie holds a cigarette in his proper left hand. To the left of Count Basie's portrait is a line of yellow scripted text which reads [The Greatest!!]. Beneath the text of the title are two lines of printed white text which read [count basie plays / joe williams sings standards]. Beneath the last line of white text are three lines of much smaller yellow text which lists the tracks featured on the reel. The back of the case has information about the artists in black text on a white background. There is a red stamp in the bottom right corner. The reel has magnetic tape wound around a clear plastic reel. There is an off-white paper label with black type affixed to the front of the plastic reel.

Topic: African American; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.68.5ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Nobody Like Jesus / I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Published by: Jewel Records, American, founded 1963
Recorded by: Walker, Albertina, American, 1929 - 2010; Caravans, The, American, 1947 - 2010

Medium: vinyl, adhesive, paper
Dimensions: Diameter (record): 6 7/8 × 1/16 in. (17.5 × 0.2 cm)

Type: 78 rpm records

Place depicted: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1973

Description: A black vinyl 78 rpm record has a blue Jewel J-203 label at its center. The blue label is printed with black and blue text. The record label logo features above the vinyl record's center; it reads [Jewel . . . . . . RECORDS] just under the image of a cut jewel surrounded by white light rays. One side lists [NOBODY LIKE JESUS / ALBERTINA WALKER / & THE CARAVANS] below the record's center, the other side lists [I KNOW WHO / HOLDS TOMORROW / ALBERTINA WALKER / & THE CARAVANS]. Following the curve of the blue label edge beneath the song title and included recording artists is dark blue text which reads [PRODUCED BY JEWEL RECORDS - 728 TEXAS ST. SHREVEPORT, LA.].

Topic: African American; Gospel (Music); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.68.6

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Remember Me, Oh Lord / I Won't Be Back

Published by: Gospel Record Co., American
Recorded by: Caravans, The, American, 1947 - 2010

Medium: vinyl, adhesive, paper
Dimensions: Diameter: 6 7/8 × 1/16 in. (17.5 × 0.2 cm)

Type: 45 rpm records

Date: 1963

Description: This black vinyl 45 rpm record has a red and silver label at its center. Just above the record's center is the record label logo; an arch of silver containing stylized red text reading [gospel]. Just beneath the silver arch in silver text on a portion of the red background it reads [GOSPEL RECORD CO. NEW ARK, N.J.]. Beneath the record's center, silver text reads: [REMEMBER ME, OH LORD / (James Cleveland) / THE CARAVANS] on one side and [I WON'T BE BACK / (J. Herndon) / THE CARAVANS].

Topic: African American; Gospel (Music); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.68.9ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Whitney Houston

Photograph by: Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013
Subject of: Whitney Houston, American, 1963 - 2012

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 12 11/16 × 15 11/16 in. (32.2 × 39.8 cm); H x W (Sheet): 12 15/16 × 19 1/16 in. (32.9 × 48.4 cm)

Type: digital prints

Date: 1982; printed later

Description: A black and white digital print photograph of Whitney Houston. Houston is featured resting on her chest and elbows. She is looking up and is wearing a t-shirt over a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. The back of the photograph has a Jack Mitchell stamp.

Topic: African American; Actors; Entertainers; Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.77.1

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Portrait of Donna Summer

Photograph by: Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013
Subject of: Summer, Donna, American, 1948 - 2012

Medium: silver on photographic gelatin photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 15/16 × 11 in. (35.4 × 27.9 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1976

Description: A black and white photograph of Donna Summer. She is featured facing the camera. She is wearing several necklaces with charms including two hearts and a cross and a sequined top. The back of the photograph has caption information, copyright information and the number [2340].

Topic: African American; Disco (Music); Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.83.11

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

Portrait of Whitney Houston

Photograph by: Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013
Subject of: Whitney Houston, American, 1963 - 2012

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 14 × 11 in. (35.6 × 27.9 cm); H x W (Sheet): 19 × 13 in. (48.3 × 33 cm)

Type: portraits; inkjet prints

Date: February 1982; printed 1990s

Description: A black and white digital print photograph of Whitney Houston. She is featured with her body in profile and her head turned towards the camera. She is wearing a turtleneck. The back of the photograph has a Jack Mitchell stamp in the bottom right corner and the number [5709] in the top left corner.

Topic: African American; Actors; Entertainers; Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.83.6

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

Portrait of Whitney Houston

Photograph by: Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013
Subject of: Whitney Houston, American, 1963 - 2012

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 15 3/4 × 12 1/4 in. (40 × 31.1 cm); H x W (Sheet): 19 × 13 in. (48.3 × 33 cm)

Type: portraits; inkjet prints

Date: February 1982; printed 1990s

Description: A black and white digital print photograph of Whitney Houston. She is featured facing the camera with her hands open and framing her face. She is wearing a plaid shirt, earrings, a ring, and a watch. The back of the photograph has a Jack Mitchell stamp in the bottom right corner and the number [5842] in the top left corner.

Topic: African American; Actors; Entertainers; Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.83.7

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

Portrait of Leontyne Price

Photograph by: Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013
Subject of: Price, Leontyne, American, born 1927

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 14 × 11 in. (35.6 × 27.9 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1978

Description: A black and white photograph of Leontyne Price. She is featured facing the camera wearing a turban with beading and a feathered piece around her neck. The back of the photograph has caption information and a Jack Mitchell stamp at center and the number [2340] in the top left corner.

Topic: African American; Opera (Music); Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.83.9

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

Poster advertising a concert for Mrs. Coretta Scott King on October 6, 1958

Created by: Montgomery Improvement Association, American, founded 1955
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Dr. Simpson, Ralph Ricardo, American, born 1933; Holt Street Baptist Church, American, founded 1909

Medium: ink on paper with pressure-sensitive tape
Dimensions: H x W: 14 × 11 in. (35.5 × 27.9 cm)

Type: posters

Place used: Montgomery, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

Date: October 6, 1958

Description: A poster advertising a concert for Mrs. Coretta Scott King on October 6, 1958. A black-and-white image of Scott King is featured near the top edge of the poster. She is depicted in bust pose, in three-quarters profile looking towards the left edge of the image. She is wearing sleeveless dark dress with a light colored, ruffled neckline. Above the image is black text that reads, [APPEARING IN CONCERT]. Below the image is more black text that reads, [MRS. CORETTA SCOTT KING / National Famous Soprano / MR. RALPH SIMPSON, Accompanist / Monday, October 6, 1958 – 800 p.m. / Holt Street Baptist Church / Sponsored by The / MONTGOMERY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION / Gen. Adm. $1.00]. There are inscriptions in pencil and black ink on the back of the poster as well as a purple sticky note secured with clear tape.

Topic: African American; American South; Civil rights; Classical (Music); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2016.90.5.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Indoor Group Shot of Six Women, Spiritual Fire Singers

Indoor Group Shot of Six Women, Spiritual Fire Singers

Indoor Portrait of Diamond Tooth Mary

Pin back button from Commodores 1978 Platinum Tour

Verdi - Aïda (Highlights)

Strut Miss Lizzie / Home Again Blues

Night Mare / Hound Dog

Backstage pass for SWV concert

So Much / Forgive and Forget

Spirituals in Concert

Ticket for a Stevie Wonder performance in Japan

The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards

Nobody Like Jesus / I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Remember Me, Oh Lord / I Won't Be Back

Whitney Houston

Portrait of Donna Summer

Portrait of Whitney Houston

Portrait of Whitney Houston

Portrait of Leontyne Price

Poster advertising a concert for Mrs. Coretta Scott King on October 6, 1958

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