Music is everywhere. It’s a portal that offers a window into the past. Different genres, songs, and artists can transform the vibe of an event or unlock a memory that brings you back. As a major hub for music, DC is known for being the birthplace of go-go and home to punk, Motown, and rock. These unique aspects of DC culture are reflected through the Wilson and Jackson-Reed community, particularly through music. Hopefully, this article will unlock nostalgia and guide you on a trip down memory lane, or simply give you an understanding of how deeply rooted music is in DC’s culture.
The 1960s brought the “British Invasion,” a period in which bands from across England gained immense recognition in the US. From the Rolling Stones to the Beatles, this “invasion” took DC by storm. Many Wilson alumni recall the acclaim this music received. Steve Shapiro, a Wilson alumnus who graduated in 1964, describes stickers around the school that said, “The Beatles Are Coming!!” a not-so-subtle nod to the band’s popularity.
The music of the 1980s was especially memorable for many alumni. The prominence of rock, funk, and most importantly, go-go – a subgenre of funk that originated here in DC – took center stage at Wilson. The “Godfather of Go-Go,” guitarist Chuck Brown, created the genre during the 1970s, where it quickly became the heart and soul of DC. Alumni describe dancing at go-go bars and clubs in DC on weekends, and seeing the genre gain recognition on MTV.
Punk and hard rock music gained popularity during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Alumni recall garage bands made up of students from Wilson and the surrounding area. Taylor Simmons, a graduate from 1981, describes the eccentric names that these punk bands adopted, such as Very Nice Plants, Slinkees, and the Young Caucasians. On top of this, Ian MacKaye and Brendan Canty from DC-native punk band Fugazi attended Wilson during the mid-80’s, likely forming their roots among these lesser-known bands. Some members, including Ian MacKaye was also part of the band Minor Threat, formed in DC. A 1989-1990 yearbook featured a page dedicated to the top musicians from that year, with artists like Prince, Whitney Houston, New Edition, Queen Latifah, Biz Markie, and Salt-N-Pepa. R&B singer-songwriter Ari Lennox also attended Wilson in the 2000s.
As an essential part of the DC community, music has always been important to the school’s culture. From the creation of go-go in the 70’s to genres of rap in the 90’s, hip-hop and punk in the 2000’s, and a recent surge in pop, rock, and R&B, music will continue to embody the school’s spirit and personality. •
