Abraham, Martin And John

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The song itself is a tribute to the memory of four assassinated Americans, all icons of social change: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy. It was written in response to the assassination of King and that of Robert Kennedy in April and June 1968, respectively. [1] Lyrics [ edit ] Whitburn, Joel, The Billboard Book of TOP 40 R&B and Hip Hop Hits, Billboard Books, New York 2006, p. 400

Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrateded.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p.66. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Rosey Grier, who had been one of Robert F. Kennedy's bodyguards and helped subdue Sirhan Sirhan after he shot Kennedy, recorded a version for his 1986 gospel album Committed. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X. Flavour of New Zealand, 17 January 1969 - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016 . Retrieved March 17, 2017.

Comedian Moms Mabley performed a completely serious version that hit the U.S. Top 40. It reached number 35 in July 1969 and number 18 on the R&B charts, making Mabley (at 75) the oldest living person to have a U.S. Top 40 hit. [11] [12] Smokey Robinson & the Miracles recorded a version that became an American Top 40 single in 1969, reaching number 33 [9] while reaching number 16 on the US R&B charts [10] Marvin Gaye, with an orchestral arrangement by Norman Whitfield, also recorded a version in 1969 that became a top-ten hit (reaching number 9) in the United Kingdom in 1970 (Gaye's version was never released in the U.S. as a single but was featured on his 1970 album, That's the Way Love Is, and was one of his first experiments with social messages in his music which would culminate in his 1971 album, What's Going On.)

How Robert Kennedy Inspired 'Abraham, Martin and John' ". The New York Times Company. June 5, 2018 . Retrieved June 10, 2018. Marillion released two versions in 1999. A live recording was on their Unplugged at the Walls album, and a studio version on their fan club Christmas CD the same year.Beverly Knight performed the song with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Gaye's 1969 recording on the 2021 album Motown with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: A Symphony of Soul (Motown/Island Records/UMC) This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sourcesin this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( January 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Whitburn, Joel, The Billboard Book of TOP 40 R&B and Hip Hop Hits, Billboard Books, New York 2006, p.109

Whitney Houston performed the song in her live concert in 1997 which aired on VH1 and HBO as Whitney Houston: Live Washington DC. a b "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca . Retrieved July 14, 2015. Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca . Retrieved October 1, 2016. Whitburn, Joel, The Billboard Book of Top 40 R&B and Hip Hop Hits, Billboard Books, New York, 2006, p. 363Cash Box Top 100 12/21/68". Tropicalglen.com. December 21, 1968. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016 . Retrieved October 1, 2016.