The push for a federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday began almost immediately after Dr. King’s assassination in April 1968, when the late Representative John Conyers introduced the first motion to make King’s birthday a federal holiday. Yet it would take another 11 years for the proposal to reach the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote in 1979. When the bill fell just five votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass, it was music that helped galvanize the nation.
In response to the vote, Stevie Wonder wrote what would become an anthem for the movement. Using his 1980 Hotter Than July tour to build momentum while openly championing the legislation, Wonder transformed “Happy Birthday” into a rallying cry. The song stands as one of the most quintessential examples of the symbiotic relationship between art and activism, helping mobilize public support while shining a light on the bigoted politicians who refused to vote in favor of the holiday.
The opening lyrics captured the climate of resistance advocates had faced since the legislation was first introduced just days after King’s assassination:
You know it doesn’t make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
The bill was finally passed in 1983, and the first official King holiday was observed in January 1986.
While Wonder’s efforts demonstrated the undeniable power of platform and activist-leaning art, his work was part of a much broader tradition. Music has long reflected the times, served as a vehicle for change, and soundtracked both protest and celebration. From Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” to The Impressions’ “Keep On Pushin’,” to Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted and Black, to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?, artists have consistently used music to speak truth and inspire action.
Jazz, in particular, has played a central role in this lineage. From John Coltrane’s “Alabama,” to Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln’s We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, from Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddamn” to Charles Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus,” jazz has always spoken truth to power. That tradition continues today, as contemporary jazz musicians compose artistic eulogies for Oscar Grant III, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, and George Floyd; celebrate the nation’s first Black president; and reaffirm that “Black Is Beautiful,” more than 60 years after the phrase became a unifying call within the Black Power Movement.
Jazz also chronicled the life and journey of Dr. King in real time, beginning with his emergence as a young preacher and activist in the early 1950s, and has continued to honor his legacy in the decades since his life was cut short. On this special episode of Milestones, we explore the role jazz played in advancing King’s philosophy and celebrating his extraordinary impact as one of the most consequential leaders in American history with NEA Jazz Master and four-time GRAMMY-winning artist and educator Terri Lyne Carrington, GRAMMY-winning bassist and vocalist Ben Williams, and GRAMMY-nominated pianist and curator Orrin Evans. Together, with host Angélika Beener, they reflect on pieces like Herbie Hancock’s 1969 “I Have a Dream,” and more, examining their cultural impact and role in the musical evolution of jazz.
Hip-hop historians T.L. Cross and WBGO’s own Stevan Smith also join the conversation, shedding new light on “King Holiday,” the 1986 hip-hop and R&B anthem that united an ensemble of rising stars—from New Edition and Run-DMC to Whitney Houston and Stephanie Mills. With the late Dexter Scott King at the helm, Kurtis Blow was tasked with assembling a collective to create an anthem for the next generation – one that would honor Dr. King’s legacy and serve as the soundtrack for the inaugural MLK holiday celebration, 40 years ago.
The iconic scholar, author, global thought leader and visionary Dr. Angela Davis joins as distinguished guest, offering remarkable insights on this milestone anniversary.
This special MLK episode of Milestones: Celebrating the Culture airs Saturday at 7 a.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. on WBGO 88.3, WBGO.org, and the WBGO mobile app.
