There is a central question that any serious student of black music's history has to answer for themselves if they want to have a modicum of expertise on the field: How much credence do you give to the beauty of the music and how much credence do you give to the pain that came from the horrible circumstances which the music was created?
With modern music, the question isn't nearly as absolute, but if we want to talk about Black Music's roots- work songs, which came from the lyrical cadences of slaves working on plantation fields, and spirituals, otherworldly existentialist tomes used as a coping mechanism to survive those plantations- the question cannot be avoided. There is no clearly correct answer at either extreme: sentimentalists often fetishise the "primitive" beauty of the music at expense of the horror of where it came from, militant Marxists like Amiri Baraka reduce the people who created the music to vessels of rage and pathos, denying them the moral courage and ingenuity that they had to make the music in the first place.
It's a question that I have a hard time answering. Do you celebrate Mahalia Jackson's "How I Got Over" because of it's sophisticated use of metaphor regarding the slave trade? Or do you recognize that it has more of a mixture of pain, rage and terror than almost any other song written in the 20th century.
With Donny Hathaway, America's great lost soul music icon, the question becomes more probing. Like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone, Hathaway saw the structures of spirituals and work songs as vehicles that could mix together almost any genre under the sun in order to make a big, broad, multiculturalist musical revival tent. But what separated Hathaway from the aforementioned three is how he personalized both genre's lyrical themes, using their beautifully humanist motif's as a balm for his mental illness.
From "Everything Is Everything," the first song on his first album of the same name, where he recognizes that "I hear voices, I see people. I hear voices of many people" and tries to make light of them "saying everything is everything," Hathaway saw music as a way to create a humane, beautiful world contrary to the madness in his own head. His music would be spirituals in gospel clothing, but they wouldn't just be stiff ornate remakes of 150 year old songs. Donny's goal was to add a new vocabulary to black male expression in soul music, one of Christian humanism, sexual reciprocity and personal expression of the vulnerable rough edges of one's soul.
Article comments
1 - lalah hathaway
Did you use a fact checker for this story?
2 - robert lashley
I got my information from various online sources
I'm so sorry if I got anything wront, I loved your father and I love your work. Again, I am so sorry.
3 - robert lashley
I got most primary from an online soul magazine piece, if it's wrong, im so sorry. I feel sick that it might be.
4 - gogoggo
Although one obviously wonders what errors were made, this was a beautifully written piece.
5 - K Nelson
I do not know enough about Donny Hathaway to know if the facts in this piece are accurate or not. However, I did find the piece extremely interesting and disheartening as well, especially the portions regarding him being "schizophrenic" and turning to illicit drugs for "help." I have always thought Mr. Hathaway simply suffered from a depressive mood disorder, that unfortunately went untreated or was untreatable. I have wondered, since I was a child, what made Mr. Hathaway jump from that window. Did he jump? No one knows for sure. I know all accounts say that there were no signs of a struggle. But why? He created some of the most beautifully soulful music EVER recorded. He was genius, pure and simple, and the music world is starving for the beauty of a Donny Hathaway right now. I listen to his music and it takes me to places I cannot explain. I love this man's music and I shudder to think what gems he would have given to the world had he made it past that fateful day. I truly wish Mr. Hathaway would have gotten whatever help he needed to make it past that one day.... The world lost a diamond, but his legacy will always live on through his recordings.
6 - Eric Olsen
a couple things: this is a very beautiful, haunting, delicate story - thanks Robert!
In addtion, thanks for caring enough to make factual corrections as appropriate.
7 - Kenya
I celebrate Donny's music. Everyone who lives, breathes and walks this earth will have personal struggles, but the impression Donny made on musid is undeniable. I believe in God, I know he exists and he gave Donny gifts without repentance. Donny may have given his life to create the masterpieces that saves so many others.
8 - GiovannaRuby
I received the gifts from Donny Hathaway's abilities to evoke mood and passion through my mother, a person who, like Donny, also emboddies a soul that can not shake depression and unhappiness. One of the many vibes that I get from Donny's music is that he was a man who sought after peace, enlightenment and freedom, but was unable to truly enjoy the fruits of what he sought after because he lack the ability to grasp ahold to those fruits and fill up that empty space in his soul. I can not go so far as to say that he suffered from any illnesses because I did not know Donny personally and do not know what truly inspired his pains. I will go so far to say that Donny was a spiritual individual who let emotional turmoil affect him to the depths of his soul. His soul was never at ease while he was going through his life's journey. Donny had spiritual power and anyone who embodies this power will be affected adversely lifes growing pains. I believe that Donny did not understand the power he had and did not know how to deal with it because it was a trivia and probably kept him in a state of constant confusion and weary. Donny was a musical "genius" and will always be remembered. Listening to his music today made me curious about the man behind the melancholy. These are the feelings I have about him after reading so many descriptive writings on a man many want to understand because he delivered such an enigma in his mental state through his lyrics. I hope that Donny is at peace now, for he is the lucky one. We are the one's living in hell on earth. God Bless you Lalah!
9 - Darnell Craig
Darnell Craig here, age seventeen, not bragging at all but, the begining of m life is very close to Donny. I write, home record, and I have dreamed of Mr.Hathaway several times before even seeing his face at all just last week sometime or even before i began to listen to his songs over and over again. As a young musician, it brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear one of his songs. Its like when I sit at the piano, he plays through me. His music cannot be defined, his personality also. This man is the orignal Prodigy of soul. "Unreal" is the only word that describes his writing and composing skills.
10 - loe brooxx
DONNY HATHAWAY IS SIMPLY THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER EVER!!!! HE INTERTWINED SOUL,FUNK AND GOSPEL LIKE NO OTHER AND IT UPSETS ME WHEN HE IS NOT MENTIONED AS AN ALL TIME GREAT. MARVIN,STEVIE,CURTIS AND MANY OTHERS ARE HELD IN MUCH HIGHER REGARD THAN DONNY BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM WERE AS TALENTED AS HE. I BELIEVE THAT IS A BOLD STATEMENT BECAUSE ALL OF THE AFORMENTIONED ARE EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTS AND I LOVE AND RESPECT WHAT THEY DID AS WELL! HOWEVER, MR HATHAWAY IS A SOUL GOD AND I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED MUSICALLY ON THIS EARTH!!!!
11 - Lecore
I just want you to know that I stumbled upon this sight after listening to "In Performance" and "Live" on my way home from work and, as always after a Donny fix, I felt the urge to find something new about his history or some different perspective. All I can say to you right now is you've managed to do what so many of Donny's song do to me. Leave me with chills and close to tears. I felt every word you wrote.
Thank you very very much.
12 - Karen Knowles
Donny's death is truly tragic and I know better than any one that when you get to a place in your life where money, fame or talent can't heal the pain and it appears like God isn't listening, then you do jump or something!! I am here writing because I waited on a response from GOD!! That's the only reason why I am here.
13 - nancy petry
I loved Donny Hathaway and there is a God. Donny is now in God's heavenly choir. God knows about mental illness. Of course, he forgives Donny, if in fact, it was suicide.
Nancy Petry
14 - Nicholas
Listen to the lyrics of Donny's (NOT KITSCHY) song, "I Believe In Music"...
15 - Horton
One of the greatest gifts given to me was the opprotunity to listen to my father tell me of the times when his band opened up for Hathaways band on a few club dates back in the mid 70's. It was a pleasure to actually know someone who met and knew him. WOW!!! He told me of the time when they opened up at "The piece of the Rock" nightclub in Flint,Mi and Donny wore Gym shoes, jeans, a blazer, and his signiture APPLE HAT! How upon entering the dressing room(purposly), on that first date, just to meet Donny, how he kind of startled Donny. Upon entering my dad introduced himself and it took Hathaway awhile to react. My dad said that Donny gave him a look like, "who in the hell are u". After that that it was all good he said. They even enjoyed a couple of reacreational chill sessions that may be shunned upon these days, but it was the in thing to do back in the 70's. I'll leave it at that! He also told of some wonderful things that happend in okla, city. Dad said one of the best things in the world was to hear Donnys voice in person, and how the ladies would just go crazy. I love Donny! And I've sat numerous times listening to his music in tears wishing why did he do it; If he did jump, why. God Bless Donnys Soul
16 - GarryS
Stumbled on this article- first heard Donny whilst searching out more eclectic tunes than the raw punk of the uk in late 70's 80's - the first time I heard the voice it blew me away and continues to do so 30 years on - don't matter what others say he WAS the best- and still is!
17 - charles christopher
My favorite SINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CC
18 - Teneka
I have to say that Donny Hathaway has to be the greatest soul singer that has ever lived. His voice, lyrics, & musical arrangements cannot compare to that of any others. I hail him as one the greatest composers of the 20th century. I consider it an honor & a priviledge to listen to his music. I wish someone could to a television tribute to him. He truly deserves it.
19 - M.E.H.
Before I say anything else, I must emphatically admit that GOD IS REAL and HE answered prayer in 1979 as well as HE is doing today, December 26, 2007 and will continue to do. We do not know what conversations Donny and God had before he passed (whether from suicide or some other method) but that is something between the two of them. Maybe he was required to submit to GOD'S will and he did not or it is something else that will not be revealed on this side. However, what we need to do on this side is make sure our life lines up with HIS will. I was a fan of Donny Hathaway and he was like no other artist before or after. I live in Richmond, VA and I heard he was going to perform at the Carter Barron (some of you may not know what that is but it is an amphitheatre in Washington,D.C.)that summer of 1973,I believe. I want you to know that I have never, ever seen a pair of fingers fly across the keyboard as I did that night. I sat there mesmerized knowing God had given him such a defies-description talent. I sat on those cold, hard, stone steps wishing that the lights would never come back up. I never got a chance to shake his hand, or be properly introduced to him but that memory is forever etched in my mind. I thank God that I did get to see him up close. I also remember thinking to myself at the time that he should have stayed in the church and used his talent that God gave him for HIS glory. I was not saved (given my life to the Lord) when that event happened but that is just the way I felt and I still believe that til today. I am a lot wiser and older but this is the reality. It made it so much harder to accept years later when I heard he was gone. During this season when all you hear over the airways ( while promoting the movie) is 'This Christmas' redone by Chris Brown. I say out loud and in my mind,"No one can sing that like Donny Hathaway". There was always a vulnerability I sensed with him in spite of all that talent. This is my contribution about the one known as Donny Hathaway. I still feel a sadness when his name is mentioned or his music is played as a sound track for a video or movie I am watching. There is a season for everything and a purpose under the sun. Embrace, enjoy and know that everything is everything!
20 - woodhead
Online twats are helpless beings who have never seen the light of day.Children are payin the price of bullshit goverment deals that just perpetuate the class divide. Who will need them? The rent needs payin brothers wake up don't be such an ignorant ass foolish person. I sick of being polite?! Donny said it right
Donny Hathaway=GOD
OOOH or Albert Ayler or WOODY SHAW
JAZZ RULES
21 - Lyndrea Licorish
I've been a long time fan of Brother Donny Hathaway's music, but never owned any personally. Well I finally purchased my first Donny Hathaway CD about 2-3 weeks ago and have not stopped listening to it yet! There's no doubt that Bro. Hathaway was/is one of the most gifted talents that has ever lived. As I drove to work this morning, I listened to "What's Going On" over and over again, and could feel the sincerity in that song, as I do with every song on the CD. That was/is one of the awesome gifts Bro. Hathaway bestowed upon his fans, he allowed you to "feel" where he was coming from. Being a singer myself, I learn something new every time I listen to Bro. Hathaway's vocals, which are absolutely mesmerizing.
As I was reading some of the write ups on Bro. Hathaway's acheivements, I learned the cause of his death. Whether he took his life or not, it truly saddens me that this blessed man is no longer with us, and I can't help but wonder what awesome songs he would have rendered if he was still living today.
God bless you Donny Hathaway; you're living was definitely NOT in vain.
P.S. Lalah, I can't help but smile when I hear certain notes from your dad's songs because they remind me of you. You definitely inherited the gift. Be blessed.
22 - Paula Cooper
When I was maybe i dunno 13 years old I remember watching It's Showtime at the Apollo...and there was a woman on there, singing "A Song For You" acapella. She did it very beautifully...I mean of course she won several times, but I just remember feeling those lyrics at 13!... and then years later I heard the original by Mr. Hathaway and it just takes you to a place...everything stops and you feel every inch of that song...I'm 27 now, still a "youngin" but I'm interested in continuing to learn so much more about his life and music. I have often sat back and thought...who could cover that song effortlessly like he did? And I can't think of anyone. Ballads aren't like they were years ago and I think that is what our generation is lacking. I think this piece was written beautifully...you did a great job. I hope that Mr. Hathaway has found the peace that he was looking for..but he is truly missed.