Scott Joplin, The The King Of Ragtime, Was Supposedly Born Near Texarkana, Texas, On November 24, 1868 (Some Sources List 1867).
A Skilled Pianist And Composer, Scott Joplin Started A 20-Year Ragtime Craze, With The 1897 Release Of His Composition,"Maple Leaf Rag," During The Gay Nineties.
For A Time, Ragtime Was Considered "Negro Tavern And Brothel Music." The High-Pitched, Tinny Sound Of The Music Was The Source Of The Name "Tin Pan Alley," The Center Of Ragtime In New York, City.
The Lack Of Recognition Given To Ragtime, As A Serious, Black American, Musical Art Form, Plagued Joplin Throughout His Life. In His Later Years He Spent All His Money Producing The Ragtime Opera, "Treemonisha," Which He Never Saw Fully Staged. It Had A Short, But Successful Run, On Broadway During The 1970s
"The Entertainer," First Released By Joplin In 1902, Was Revived In The 1973 Film,"The Sting" And Became A Top 40 Hit. The Movie Soundtrack, Featuring Mostly Joplin's Music, Sold More Than 2 Million Copies By The End Of 1974. Scott Joplin Died In An Asylum In New York City On April 1, 1917. He Was 49 Years Old.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
