I kinda like these guys ...

[Basvarken]

True. It worked well for Ike & Tina too.

And this band is another fine example:

[uwe]

Tina is on record for saying that she wants white musicians for that "white rock'n'roll feel" which "black players can't capture because it always sounds like they are playing the Blues". Now that statement was divisive at the time (sometime late 80ies I believe), today in the internet age it would just go ballistic on her and give her a shit tsunami.

Am I being uncool if I admit that the first black player I really noticed in a white group was Floyd Sneed (great name!) in Three Dog Night?





On all those publicity pics he just stood out - in a good way. And I always liked Three Dog Night's groove. I only learned now that he's Canadian.

I just lied. I was even more uncool than that: Here's the first black guy I noticed in a (predominantly) white group (who spots the later Uriah Heep singer?):

[Basvarken]

There are plenty examples of succesful multi-racial bands

Allman Brothers



Sly & the Family Stone




Jimi Hendrix Experience






etc etc

[uwe]

Of course. Sly & the Family Stone were lightyears ahead of anyone.

I didn't want to name The Jimi Hendrix Experience for fear of starting another "Who was better, The Experience or The Band of Gypsies?" plus "Could Noel Redding really play bass?" suada!!! IMHO: Jimi was as much a visual as a musical phenomenon and in the former, the "black cat fronting a white outfit" was a key component. I have no opinion on which backing band line up played better, they were just different. I believed for decades that the chromatic walking bass line in Hey Joe were Noel's, so don't ruin my tried and trusted convictions today!!!

[Basvarken]

Now you've started it yourself... 

[Basvarken]

for distraction I'll just post some more...   

[westen44]

Those JHE vs. BOG debates are seriously some of the most vicious and bitter I've ever seen on music forums.  People get really bitter and uncompromising fairly quickly.  Unless someone says something totally inaccurate, absurd and ridiculous, I try to stay out of them now.  Besides that, it really isn't an either/or issue.  Both sides have valid points. 

[Dave W]

[slinkp]

I realize Prince has plenty of detractors, but for my money, this was a hell of a performance by a hell of a (mixed) band:
first ever performance of Purple Rain

It takes a while to get going, but it's essentially the same recording that ended up on the album (with lots of edits and string overdubs).

[Highlander]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJqk2yWUGTM

[Father Gino]

I liked it. Have to listen to some more stuff. Maybe I'll buy the record...CD...MP3...Steal it from YouTube

[Father Gino]

As for integrated bands... Duh

[Droombolus]

And duh again ......

[uwe]

Love were magic, but I only learned about them via this unlikely cover here:

[Droombolus]

Love were magic

Amen brother ! I was so pissed when Arthur Lee & Love played Rotterdam ( some 13 years ago ) on the Forever Changes tour and I only learned they had a day after the fact.