Times change, the wheel keeps on spinning…and nothing ever stands still. Explanations as to why it keeps spinning and how fast it spins, I will leave for another day. Let’s just say that change is the only constant; and none more so than in the world of ‘popular music’ and the culture that surrounds it.
If one was to comment on how these things have changed during the course of the 20th century and into the 21st century, then we are bound to say that the changes have been significant.
For the purposes of this article, I will be commenting on the United Kingdom/British Isles only; though accepting that external influences (especially American) have had a massive impact.
In the title, I pitch big bands against the DJ’S; because they both represent opposite ends of the spectrum; and both ends of the timeline (in some respects at least). In the first half of the 20th century, big bands became enormously popular and were the focal point for that predominant cultural activity (ie dancing). And then in the second half of the 20th century and into the current century/millennium (via the popularity of rock n roll and beat groups) there has been a shift towards more technology (as opposed to ‘real’ instruments) oriented music – both in its creation and play back or ‘performance’, if you will. Again, the predominant preoccupation is dancing – though the word ‘disco’ has given way to ‘rave’ and a whole myriad of sub genres of the Electronic Dance Movement. It beggars belief how many names are given to sub genres – almost defeats the point of having labels in the first place! Still, I digress…
The question is: why did this change happen during the course of the 20th century? Why did the big bands disappear?
Let’s be clear: they were on a downward spiral after WWII for one or two reasons: including the impact of a union strike and the subsequent rise of the vocalist. Jazz itself was evolving (a mainstay of big band music) and it led to BEBOP with smaller line ups. Certainly there was an economic factor to this downfall! And of course, rock n roll came along and The Beatles delivered the final glancing blow to Jazz and especially BIG BAND. It was over…for a while. But…there have been revivals ever since; which is encouraging!
