The Beat of My Drum: An Autobiography
Files
Document Type
Book
Description
Babatune Olatunji's record album Drums of Passion proclaimed that the time had come for America to recognize Africa's cultural contributions to the music world. Through his many albums and live performances, the Nigerian drummer popularized West African traditional music and spread his message of racial harmony. In this long-awaited autobiography, Olatunji presents his life story and the philosophy that guided him. Olatunji influenced and inspired musicians for more than forty years--from luminaries to music students and the many ordinary people who participated in his drum circles. He writes about rhythm being "the soul of life," and about the healing power of the drum. Ultimately, The Beat of My Drum shows why at the time of his death in 2003, Olatunji had become, according to The New York Times, "the most visible African musician in the United States."
ISBN
978-1592133543
Publication Date
3-1-2005
Publisher
Temple University Press
City
Philadelphia
Keywords
Drummers(musicians), Nigeria, biography
Disciplines
Other Music
Recommended Citation
Olatunji, Babatunde, Robert Atkinson, and Akinsola A. Akiwowo. The Beat of My Drum: An Autobiography. Temple University Press, 2005.
