The San Quentin Prison Album That Could Have Been a Classic
Fifty years ago, after the tragic death of Black Power activist George Jackson, an album titled “Changin’ Times” was released by Ike White, a fellow inmate at San Quentin State Prison. This six-track LP was a tribute to Jackson’s revolutionary spirit and encapsulated the soul, psychedelia, jazz, and pop genres prevalent during that era.
Despite being largely overlooked, “Changin’ Times” is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, Rhino Entertainment reissued the album earlier this year. Additionally, a new book, “The Midnight Special: The Secret Prison History of American Music,” places White alongside more renowned musicians with prison connections like Tupac, Leadbelly, and Johnny Cash.
Author Colin Asher highlighted the unique environment of California prisons during White’s time, noting their relative openness compared to present-day facilities. He described a setting filled with dangers, racial discrimination, but also opportunities for inmates like White to explore music freely. In fact, San Quentin’s warden arranged public tours where guests could witness prisoner bands perform, including White himself.
As the son of a Black father and Mexican mother, both professional pianists, White was musically inclined from a young age. His incarceration at 19, following a robbery gone wrong, led to a suicide attempt before music became his saving grace. While peers engaged in political activities, studying Marxism and organizing strikes, White immersed himself in music, directing a church choir and adopting the moniker “Ikedelic.”
In 1971, White played a pivotal role in organizing Malcolm X Day at San Quentin, a concert attended by over a thousand inmates that featured iconic figures like Muhammad Ali and Curtis Mayfield. This event laid the groundwork for the production of White’s album, facilitated by producer Jerry Goldstein at Tehachapi State Prison with the assistance of prominent musicians like drummer Greg Errico and bassist Doug Rauch.
The titular track of “Changin’ Times” is a powerful showcase of White’s musical prowess, blending personal reflections with political undertones. While the album was initially rejected by major labels, the intervention of Stevie Wonder eventually enabled White’s parole. However, tragedy struck with the untimely death of his wife and children in a car accident, leading White down a path of failed ventures and relationships.
In the aftermath of his struggles, White’s story took a tragic turn culminated by his suicide in 2014. Despite the setbacks and hardships he faced, White’s legacy remains preserved through his music and the documentary “The Changin’ Times of Ike White.”
Through White’s life, Asher underscores the lasting impact of incarceration on individuals and the challenges they face post-release. While some manage to overcome their hardships and thrive, others, like White, succumb to the lasting traumas of their past.
The reissue of “Changin’ Times” stands as a testament to White’s talent and the indelible mark he left on the world of music, offering listeners a glimpse into the complex journey of an artist shaped by prison and redemption.