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Monday, January 18, 2016 marks MLK Day, a day to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights activist and icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose leadership, courage and conviction helped change the lives of millions of blacks in America and oppressed people throughout the world. MLK Day is a national day of service where many spend the day volunteering in a multitude of ways to help make the world a better place. Musicians have written and performed a myriad of tribute songs to the late icon, who was assassinated on the balcony of The Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN by James Earl Ray, a white supremacist. Check out ten of TBW’s songs that celebrate his life and legacy.
- “King Dream Chorus & Holiday Crew” (1986)
2. “By the Time I Get to Arizona” – Public Enemy (1991)
3. “I Have a Dream” – Common featuring Will.i.am (2006)
4. Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder (1980)
5. “Why the King of Love is Dead” – Nina Simone
6. “Glory” – Common and John Legend
7. “Pride in the Name of Love” – U2 (1984)
8. “Like a King” – Ben Harper (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWYX8f9Qot4&list=RDHWYX8f9Qot4#t=38
9. “Up to the Mountain” – Patty Griffin
10. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” – Mahalia Jackson performs at Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral (1968)
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of the award-winning news site The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
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