Golden News to Rock and Roll
by Jeff K.
Call it that really old kind of rock n roll. Coming out of WWII, it’s estimated that around 95 percent of all households in America had functioning radios. The radio waves were more than just the primary source for people’s news as the major networks we have come to love for doses of “Friends” and “CSI” originally started off on the radio. It was common for families to huddle around the sitting table in the living room for evenings of entertainment; as entertaining as starring at a box can be. On any given night it could be Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello or Jack Benny coming through the airwaves. Radio featured comedy, drama, sports and even had soap opera-styled programming, the earliest of which took the format of 15 minute daily clips, through the early 50s. Many of the programs were performed live, often to an in-studio audience. These components were a part of American reality for sometime until television began to gain popularity and the networks lost interest. Executives soon realized these sketches that were hugely popular on the radio could be enjoyed to a greater extent visually. When money started getting funneled into television development, radio programmers had to fill the airways with something cheap.
Out was the “Golden Age” of radio with this redirecting of funds. What emerged was a loud mixture of music that worried many parents, pleased the youth and brought forth the music format that we still have today. Stations quickly realized that having a DJ spin records was comparatively cheap as the music production didn’t cost the radio stations anything. More than the budget benefit, the idea of having continuous music available in the home was a big plus for the cash-heavy audience — teenagers. Advertisers soon flocked to the airwaves with commercials, trying to persuade listeners to spend a little dough. The move is said to have paid off as the value of teenage spending power steadily increased through the decade and well into the 60s.
The music that was being played varied as much as the amount of stations. It was this change in radio landscape that brought rock and roll to the masses. Now known by many, rock music was originally popular among black communities in the south. Once DJs assumed control of programming, some jocks decided to bring this unorthodox style of music to the suburbs and cities, despite opposition from many. Wolfman Jack and Dewey Lewis are often credited with bringing rock into the mainstream. “Top 40” radio was also born out of this period, as disc jockeys largely shaped their playlists around the top 40 rated songs by the Billboard charts. So what were the young’ns of the generation rocking out to in the 50s? A little of “Memories Are Made of This” by Dean Martin, “Rock & Roll Waltz” by Kay Starr, “Too Much” by Elvis and “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price.
What is interesting now are the possible changes in radio with the gaining popularity of satellite. The radio industry relies on advertising dollars to keep the songs on the air, but with more and more listeners switch to Sirus and the like, listeners are turning off the FM and companies are losing buyers. Almost coming full circle, many stations are finding themselves in similar situations like the 1950’s, where budgets are being stretched thin and there is a new technological advancement keeping everyone’s attention.
Sources:
The Museum of Broadcast Communications
America 1950-1959: Media
The Radio History Society
www.billboard.com
Call it that really old kind of rock n roll. Coming out of WWII, it’s estimated that around 95 percent of all households in America had functioning radios. The radio waves were more than just the primary source for people’s news as the major networks we have come to love for doses of “Friends” and “CSI” originally started off on the radio. It was common for families to huddle around the sitting table in the living room for evenings of entertainment; as entertaining as starring at a box can be. On any given night it could be Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello or Jack Benny coming through the airwaves. Radio featured comedy, drama, sports and even had soap opera-styled programming, the earliest of which took the format of 15 minute daily clips, through the early 50s. Many of the programs were performed live, often to an in-studio audience. These components were a part of American reality for sometime until television began to gain popularity and the networks lost interest. Executives soon realized these sketches that were hugely popular on the radio could be enjoyed to a greater extent visually. When money started getting funneled into television development, radio programmers had to fill the airways with something cheap.
Out was the “Golden Age” of radio with this redirecting of funds. What emerged was a loud mixture of music that worried many parents, pleased the youth and brought forth the music format that we still have today. Stations quickly realized that having a DJ spin records was comparatively cheap as the music production didn’t cost the radio stations anything. More than the budget benefit, the idea of having continuous music available in the home was a big plus for the cash-heavy audience — teenagers. Advertisers soon flocked to the airwaves with commercials, trying to persuade listeners to spend a little dough. The move is said to have paid off as the value of teenage spending power steadily increased through the decade and well into the 60s.
The music that was being played varied as much as the amount of stations. It was this change in radio landscape that brought rock and roll to the masses. Now known by many, rock music was originally popular among black communities in the south. Once DJs assumed control of programming, some jocks decided to bring this unorthodox style of music to the suburbs and cities, despite opposition from many. Wolfman Jack and Dewey Lewis are often credited with bringing rock into the mainstream. “Top 40” radio was also born out of this period, as disc jockeys largely shaped their playlists around the top 40 rated songs by the Billboard charts. So what were the young’ns of the generation rocking out to in the 50s? A little of “Memories Are Made of This” by Dean Martin, “Rock & Roll Waltz” by Kay Starr, “Too Much” by Elvis and “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price.
What is interesting now are the possible changes in radio with the gaining popularity of satellite. The radio industry relies on advertising dollars to keep the songs on the air, but with more and more listeners switch to Sirus and the like, listeners are turning off the FM and companies are losing buyers. Almost coming full circle, many stations are finding themselves in similar situations like the 1950’s, where budgets are being stretched thin and there is a new technological advancement keeping everyone’s attention.
Sources:
The Museum of Broadcast Communications
America 1950-1959: Media
The Radio History Society
www.billboard.com
posted by Leslie Madsen-Brooks at 10/22/2006 10:36:00 PM
3 Comments:
Rock and roll has always been seen as a dangerous influence on our nation's youth...corrupting them with ideas of rebellion, sex, and (God forbid) FUN.
I have always wondered just how open the original rock and roll stars were about their influence from African-American muscians.
Were we really afraid of rock and roll?
Or were we afraid that it was one more way African-Americans were affecting our culture?
---S. Matt W,.
Radio is I believe will remain a staple in the worlds media. However how those radio signal will be sent might change. We live in a constantly evolving world that consistently is making strides to function efficently and more important cost effectively. Just as the radio station moved from live broadcasts to DJs, I am almost certain that within my life time radio stations will move more permanently toward satellites.
Is technology in our society moving too quickly, or is society not able to keep up with the changes?
Matt B.
I think radio will definitely move to all satellite. I think we are a society that is impatient and over-achieving; we want the best of the best and want it now.
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