Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Henderson, Douglas Wendell, 1918-2000
- Abstract:
- Doug "Jocko" Henderson was a pioneering "rapping" deejay primarily associated with Philadelphia radio station WDAS in the 1970s. Collection primarily documents Henderson's Get Ready company, which published materials to be used in schools to teach American history, spelling, and the dangers of drug abuse using rap lyrics. Also included is material documenting Henderson's bid for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania. Materials include audiocassettes, teaching manuals, correspondence, photographs, business cards, press clippings, flyers, and other memorabilia.
- Extent:
- 1 document case (0.21 linear feet) and 8 Audiocassettes (analog)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
Jocko Henderson Collection, SC 136, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Doug "Jocko" Henderson was a pioneering "rapping" deejay who began his career in 1950 at the Baltimore radio station WBAL before moving to Philadelphia station WHAT. He was best known for his shows on Philadelphia station WDAS, which he did simultaneously with shows for various New York stations. Later, he had a TV show carried on WNTA in New York, and in 1970 he started the magazine Philly Talk. Around 1978 he began his "Get Ready" program for schools, teaching everything from math to American history using rap lyrics. In 1978, he also made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district. Henderson released several records, including an early rap 12 in. single on Sugar Hill Records. He continued deejaying on oldies stations into the 1990s.
- Scope and Content:
The collection consists primarily of materials published by Henderson's Get Ready company, including manuals and audiocassettes used in schools to teach American history, spelling, and the dangers of drug abuse using rap lyrics. Additional memorabilia, correspondence, and photographs document his bid for a seat in Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district. Related materials include records released by Henderson in 1962 and 1983, the latter a 12 in. rap single released on Sugar Hill Records.
- Acquisition information:
- Original accession presumably deposited by Portia K. Maultsby; additional memorabilia acquired in 2015.
- Processing information:
Processed by AAAMC Staff. Completed in 2015.
- Arrangement:
Arranged in three series:
- Series 1: Get Ready printed materials
- Series 2: Get Ready audiocassettes
- Series 3: Memorabilia from Philly Talk and Henderson's Congressional bid
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Use of time-based media materials (audio and video) may require production of listening or viewing copies.
Access to streaming audio, moving image, and full resolution digital image materials may currently be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an IU account or who are physically present on campus. Remote streaming to individual researchers may be allowed with the completion of applicable forms.
For further information about access to online audiovisual materials, contact AAAMC staff at aaamc@indiana.edu.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Indiana Public Records Act (5-14-3-2 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Indiana University assumes no responsibility.
Copyright is retained by the creators/authors of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, and may require the written permission of the creator(s)/author(s) or donor(s).
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Jocko Henderson Collection, SC 136, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-1812805 East 10th StreetBloomington, Indiana 47408-2601, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-8547aaamc@indiana.edu