%xmlchars; ]> ms2177 Guide to the Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson Washington Go-Go collection, 1978-2002 Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2006
2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu
Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2006 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson Washington Go-Go collection, 1978-2002 MS2177 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
Special Collections Staff, 2006 Jennifer King, 2006

copyright 2006 The George Washington University. All rights reserved.

 Descriptive Summary Lornell, KipStephenson, Charles Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson Washington Go-Go collection, 1978-2002 MS2177 2 Linear feet Collection contains correspondence, promotional materials, clippings, interviews, photographs, slides, audio cassette tapes, electronic records, and other materials. The material dates from 1978-2002, and was collected by Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson in the course of their research on go-go music. The materials document the evolution of go-go and the cultural and political role of go-go in Washington, D.C. Go-go originated in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. It is a subgenre of funk, and is characterized by continuous complex rhythm arrangements and crowd call and response. The term "go-go" refers both to the style of music and the venue in which music is performed. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center
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 English Information for Users Preferred citation

Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson Washington Go-Go collection, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

 Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

 Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson in 2002.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

 Historical or Biographical Note

Christopher "Kip" Lornell (b. 1953) and Charles Stephenson are the authors of the book "The Beat: Go-Go's Fusion of Funk and Hip-Hop." Lornell is a noted ethnomusicologist, and a professor in The George Washington University's Department of Music. He received his Bachelor of Science in Cultural Sciences in 1975 from State University of New York Empire State College, his Master of Arts in Folklore in 1976 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Ph. D. in Ethnomusicology (Regional American Music) in 1983 from University of Memphis. Stephenson is a cultural and political activist in Washington, D.C., and a strong advocate for go-go music. He was the manager of the influential go-go group Experience Unlimited. He works as an associate in the management consulting firm of Dellums & Associates.

 Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, promotional materials, clippings, interviews, photographs, slides, audio cassette tapes, electronic records, and other materials. The material dates from 1978-2002, and was collected by Kip Lornell and Charles Stephenson in the course of their research on go-go music. The materials document the evolution of go-go and the cultural and political role of go-go in Washington, D.C. Go-go originated in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. It is a subgenre of funk, and is characterized by continuous complex rhythm arrangements and crowd call and response. The term "go-go" refers both to the style of music and the venue in which music is performed. In the 1980's, go-go became associated with drugs and violence, and many go-go clubs were closed in Washington, D.C.

 Collection Organization

Organized into four series: Papers, Images, Audiocassettes, and Electronic records.

 Subject Terms Individuals Lornell, Kip Stephenson, Charles Corporate Entities Topics Go-go (music) Music Musicians Performances Geographic Locations Washington (D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records MS2177 Series 1 Papers, 1978-2002 1 Linear foot

This series contains correspondence, promotional materials, clippings, interviews, and other materials. The material dates from 1978-2002. The documents contain information about go-go music, performers, and venues, as well as the media perception of go-go. Of particular interest is a transcript of a conference held in 2000, entitled "Gimme That Beat! Twenty-five Years of Go-Go," at which both Lornell and Stephenson spoke. The series also contains interviews with go-go musicians, flyers and promotional materials from go-go shows, go-go magazines, and documents related to the effort to disassociate go-go from violence.

 1 Papers,

1 1 C.J.'s Uptown Crew, 1986-1989

1 2 Clippings, 1984-2001

1 3 Committee to Save Go-Go, 1986-1996

1 4 Community, 1998-2000

1 5 D.C. Street Awards, 1989

1 6 Folk Arts Program--D.C. Commission on the Arts, 1990

1 7 Flyers and promotional materials, 1978-2000

1 8 General articles, 1986-1999

1 9 "Gimme That Beat! Twenty-five Years of Go-Go" Conference transcript [1/2], 2000

1 10 "Gimme That Beat! Twenty-five Years of Go-Go" Conference transcript [2/2], 2000

1 11 Go-Go Drugs Free, 1986-1987

1 12 Go-Go on film, 1985-2001

1 13 Go-Go outside of D.C., 1984-2000

1 14 Humanities Council of Washington, D.C. Grant, 1999-2000

1 15 Interviews, 1988-1998

1 16 Legal matters, 1984-1991

1 17 Magazines, 1997-1999

1 18 Mob TV and videos, 1994-2000

1 19 Musicians, 1979-2000

1 20 900 Go Go, 1990

1 21 Release forms, 1998-2000

1 22 Research--notes, drafts, 1985-2000

1 23 Venues, 1988-2000

1 24 Web sites, 1998-2002

MS2177 Series 2 Images, 1985 ca - 2000 ca 0.25 Linear feet

This series contains color photographs, black-and-white photographs, and color slides of go-go performers, shows, and events. The images are undated and most are unidentified.

 1 Images,

1 25 Photographs,

1 26 Photographs,

1 27 Photographs,

1 28 Photographs,

1 29 Photographs,

1 30 Color slides,

MS2177 Series 3 Audiocassettes, 1998-2001 1 Linear foot

This series consists of audiocassette tapes dating from 1998 to 2001. The cassettes contain interviews with musicians, filmmakers, and other prominent figures in the world of go-go music; a recording of a conference on the subject of go-go; and recordings of go-go shows.

 2 Audiocassettes,

2 1 Charlie Fenwick, 03/10/1998

2 2 Moe Shorter, 03/17/1998

2 3 Ken Moore, 03/31/1998

2 4 Mrs. Mack, 10/06/1998

2 5 Funk, Stephenson / Lornell, Darnell and Andre, 10/27/1998

2 6 Funk, Kip, Charles / Darnell, Andre (Rare Essence), 10/28/1998

2 7 Benny Harley, 01/22/1999

2 8 Kato, 02/17/1999

2 9 Legends Feat. Lil Benny / Legend Nite Club, 04/23/1999

2 10 Rene Dickerson / Funky "D", 11/03/1999

2 11 Go Go Conference #1, 04/15/2000

2 12 Go Go Conference #2, 04/15/2000

2 13 Go Go Conference #3, 04/15/2000

2 14 Bruce Brown / Tom Goldfogle, 08/01/2000-08/04/2000

2 15 Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott, 09/11/2000

2 16 Max Kidd, 10/07/2000

2 17 Andre Lucas / Lonnie Johnson Self Esteem, 10/11/2000

2 18 Borders Books Go Go Talk, 07/07/2001

2 19 Borders Books Go Go Talk, 09/07/2001

2 20 Andre Lucas,

2 21 Goldfogle and Brown back-up,

2 22 Dare by Michael A. Davenport (Kidd),

2 23 Unidentified audiocassette,

MS2177 Series 4 Electronic records, 1998-2000 0.25 Linear feet

This series consists of floppy disks dating from 1998 to 2000. The disks consist of word processing files in various formats containing transcripts of interviews with musicians and prominent figures in the world of go-go music.

 1 Electronic records,

1 31 Charlie Fenwick, 03/10/1998

Contents of disk are unknown and/or unreadable.

 1 32 Charlie Fenwick interview, 03/10/1998

1 33 Moe Shorter, 03/17/1998

Contents of disk are unknown and/or unreadable.

 1 34 Ken Moore, 03/31/1997

1 35 Interview transcriptions, 1999

1 36 Lornell/Go-go--Mrs. Mack interview, 1999

1 37 Gogo interview--Rene Dickerson and Funky D, 2000

1 38 Goldfogle t Brown, 2000