Factors that Contributed to the Death of Swing Music

The swing music had swept every American off their feet through the 1920s and 1930s. This new form of music boosted the morale of American soldiers at the war front, while it helped in achieving racial harmony on the home front. There is no other genre of music that can be so strongly identified with the authentic American culture. The first half of the twentieth century had witnessed the prolific rise and popularity of the swingand big band music. But, what led to its decline by the final years of the same century? People who would flock to the dance halls to watch their favorite bid bands perform gradually turned their back to this form of music. Why did people’s listening habits change? Do you ever ponder over the theories that try justifying and explaining the fall of swing music? Well, in this blog, we shed light on such theories and explore the reasons for the downfall. 

 

What were the possible reasons for the downfall of swing music?

 

The Musician Strike – It was in 1942 that the American Federation of Musicians organized a strike against US recording companies over the issue of royalty. Lasting for two-year-long, this strike forbade the members of this federation to record for major companies of those times. Due to the strike, the union members who were big bands and orchestras missed out on the opportunity of being heard and eventually lost connection with the American population. But, solo vocalists who maintained a distance from the strike now capitalized on the opportunity and rose to popularity.

 

Memories of World War II – Although big bands played a key role in boosting the war spirit, Americans were hesitant to embrace the genre after the end of the war because it reminded them of everything associated with the tragedy. To start afresh, they tried distancing themselves from this style of music. Moreover, with Glenn Miller disappearing in a plane and never returning, swing music did not remain the same for the audience. It offered less solace and caused them tremendous mental turmoil instead.

 

Rise of Rock n Roll – After World War II, the next American generations shared little to no affinity with the big band swing music. Although bebop, a new variant of jazz came to the fore, it could not stand its ground and soon got overshadowed by the craze of rock n roll. While Elvis Presley had dominated throughout the 1950s, The Beatles created a revolutionary rage in the 1960s. With Americans diving into the magic of rock n roll, it became all clear that there was no turning back to the big band era anymore. 

 

Cabaret Tax Imposition – In 1944, the US government announced the passing of the cabaret tax to fund war efforts. The tax was levied against all public places that served refreshment and merchandise along with hosting dancing and music shows. It would not be wrong to say that this tax was like a nail in the coffin of the swing and big band music. To avoid the payment of taxes, night clubs began hiring small bands and overlooked the big band orchestras. These developments shifted swing jazz from ballrooms to small sit-down clubs. With large orchestras taking a back seat, the new genre of bebop came into prominence and appealed to new generations. 

 

Tension within the Genre – Several swing artists wanted jazz to be presented and enjoyed like classical music. Prominent bandleaders like Artie Shaw left the profession because of their reluctance to record swing music for dance. The failure to keep up with the latest listening habits of people could be considered as one of the reasons that toppled swing from its peak of popularity. 

 

Conclusion – It is not just one factor but all the points in combination that led to the decline of swing music. Notwithstanding its downfall, we still endeavor to keep the memories of the swing era, the age of original American music, alive through Swing Street Radio. To enjoy the greatest swing hits, you can tune into the frequency or visit the 24*7 online radio for the maximum entertainment.