What are the Best Years in Music History

While at the Univerity of Saskatchewan in the 1950s, I had the opportunity to play in the Varsity Band. We played great arrangements from the Big Band Era and I managed to preserve some tapes made so many years ago. Here's a sampling.

In the early 20th century, swing was the most popular style of music and hundreds flocked to dance halls across the country to hear big bands led by the likes of Duke Ellington and Artie Shaw. This was the music of my youth and fortunately I had the opportunity to play in a group that played the great arrangements of the big band era.

Sadly, I and expect many others have wondered why the big band swing era died. Here are some theories.

In the states to help fund the war effort a new cabaret tax forced nightclubs to struggle to afford big bands. To cut costs they started hiring smaller groups.

During the war swing was at the height of its popularity. But the war was a painful time and people after the war tried to distance themselves from memories of war.

IIn late 1942, the American Federation of Musicians called the longest strike in entertainment history against major US recording companies over royalty concerns. The vast majority of union members belonged to big band orchestras, who subsequently did not release new material for a long time. So singers like Frank Sinatra (who were not included in the strike) quickly rose to prominence during this time period, as record companies began to focus on vocalists.

Also, some of the biggest name band leaders just got tired of playing dance music and wanted to experiment and perform jazz music that people would sit and seriously listen to.

Finally as the children of the Big Band era (the massive boomer population) reached their teenage years and young adulthood, many wanted to rebel against their swing-loving parents. Yes, each generation craves its own music.