In the mainstream early 50’s, it was the Doggie in the Window era. Mitch Miller, Doris Day and the like were making snappy and happy songs. The underground was brewing with a sonic gumbo of Black artists and Hillbillies, but in the mainstream, it was all pretty, safe and happy. A musical LULL. During lulls, the mainstream music culture:
- Features harmless lyrics by harmless artists.
- Labels/Moguls are in control and the formula is followed closely
- The “look” is nonthreatening.
- Dancing is at a popularity peak as people dance and hum…but don’t really LISTEN.
- Music has minimal impact on culture other than being a soundtrack
- There’s an underground happening, but it is still out of reach to the masses.
- It’s about tabloids more than musical notes.
- Music media is on autopilot.
- McDonald Pop rules. Predictable…safe…consistent with few surprises. Musical originators are copied, cleansed for mass consumption and formulaized.
- Artists frequently have short lifespans….and become trivia questions
Then—there are HIGH periods. Periods of tremendous change are compressed into a short period of time. During Intense periods:
- The old wave hits a brick wall.
- The “sound” changes. New instruments…new techniques…new devices…new recording methods.
- The “look” is new…different and scary.
- Satan or Some social evil is responsible according to some.
- Listening Technology changes.
- Music impacts culture profoundly. There are arguments over music.
- Artists are in control.
- People start listening more
- The “next generation” of long-term artists emerge
- Music Media goes through explosive evolution.
- Not a lot of copying artist everyone is too busy creating their own sound or contributing to the movement.
The Most memorable high periods happened: 1955 (Rock n’ Roll); 1964 (Liverpool); 1969 (Everything); 1980 (New Wave); 1993 (Grunge). All of the above characteristics happened during these periods…and all of the ‘lull’ characteristics happened between these periods. Take the intense period of ’69:
- All over for the old wave. Paul Revere and the Raiders hit the wall.
- Fuzz tones to synths to an arms race over the number of tracks and amplifier output changed the sound. The modification and enlargement of traditional instruments.
- Musicianship was a selling point
- Lyrics were social statements
- Junior came home from college looking like a hippie and got thrown out of the house.
- Satan and acid were responsible for the Iron Butterfly
- Stereo revolutionized listening as it became mainstream.
- FM emerged as a force
- Walk into the wrong bar and play Hendrix on the jukebox and a fight would ensue
- No one told Cream how to write a song or to keep it 3 minutes.
- The next generation of artists is created. Lasting artists.
- You don’t DANCE to Abbey Road. You LISTEN.
This is all highly CONDENSED and probably arguable, but due to space and finger strength limitations I can’t get into all of the details, but there is evidence of these cycles. Lulls still create fans! If you were in your musically formative 16-20 years during a lull—you still LOVE that music—but BIG PICTURE—the intense periods are where the shocking change happens. And of course there are a few artists that cut through. Dylan, Miles Davis Beatles, Pink Floyd, Sinatra—but those are the RARE ‘timeless’ artists that will be around in 200 years…can’t say that about more than a handful.
Bottom line is that It’s an interesting exercise in examining music trends.
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