Al Jolson:

Jolson Sings:(1982)

You can't talk about the history of American popular music with at least mentioning Al Jolson. One of the first massively popular singers to appropriate African American music for his bid at Pop stardom. And, yes, he sometimes performed in black-face. A racist display, yes, but not seen as such in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. He was not the first, nor would he be the last white performer to use black music, and imitation as a means to stardom. And, for a lot of people hearing Jolson for the first time, it was also the first time that they got a taste of these blues and jazz songs. Many of those early listeners dug back to the original source. I remember singing several songs, such as When The Red-Red Robbin Comes Bob-Bob Bobbin' Along, as small child.