Rockabilly music is alive and well after nearly 60 years on the scene. Modern rockabilly fans keep the music alive by supporting the bands that play it. These fans do not simply purchase rockabilly records and go to rockabilly shows. Much of them live the rockabilly lifestyle. They dress in classic clothing. Decorate their houses with classic furnishings, art work, and color pattern. They drive classic cars. And obviously, they listen to their favorite music on vintage hi-fi equipment. These fans are typically described as The Rockabillies.
The rockabillies utilize the features of 1950s style to reveal their love for rockabilly music and the excellent parts of the rockabilly way of life. They're not trying to forget that the 1950s had its share of concerns and troubles . They're not pretending that the atomic bomb scare never existed or that the widespread fear and hatred of communists wasn't distasteful. They do not pretend that the bigotry that contaminated 1950s America wasn't every bit as shameful as we all understand it was. Since they are rockabillies doesn't suggest that they live in a world of delusion, just.
Instead, their love for the 50s culture and look is more an effort to commemorate what appears good about that era. It represents what appears to us looking back now to have been a simpler, more carefree time. Whether it truly was or not isn't truly the point. It seems that way. Sporting the 50s look is its own unique brand name of cool. It's an simple method to announce to other rockabillies that you are among them-- that you share comparable interests and a love for the wonderful art type of rockabilly.
Of course, you don't have to noticeably be a rockabilly to take pleasure in and like rockabilly music. I personally do not live as a rockabilly to any excellent level. I do tend towards a rockabilly hairstyle and I enjoy vintage cars as much as the next person. However I don't head out of my method to gown in 50s fashions (aside from my phase clothes when I'm carrying out.) Still, I enjoy rockabilly music and (as evidenced by this, my other articles, and my blog site) invest a great deal of time considering it, blogging about it, and in general just sharing the joy of the music with anybody who will listen.
The rockabillies are a special type. They reveal their love for the category and the music outwardly in vibrant 1950s colors. When you see a rockabilly, you know instantly what sort of music they like. It's a neighborhood. Rockabillies are bros and sis in a common mission to keep rockabilly and the 1950s alive. The clothes they wear, cars they drive, and the furnishings in their homes merely augment the soundtrack of their lives: The rockabilly music that binds everyone fans together. Whether you are a full-out rockabilly or, like me, just a fan who enjoys the music regardless of usually non-rockabilly appearances, a fan is still a fan. In the end, it's the music that gives all of us typical ground. The music is our king, we fans are the rockabilly army, and the rockabillies are our proud flag bearers!
In one of my posts I admitted that when I initially started playing in a rockabilly band years earlier, I didn't even know sufficient about rockabilly to realize that my bass guitar wasn't "authentic" rockabilly gear. Cliff Gallup, who played for Gene Vincent's Blue Caps utilized a solid Gretsch DuoJet guitar and most rockabilly fans consider his guitar work as some of the outright best rockabilly playing of all time.
Robert Gordon was doing straight-out rockabilly and having a bit of click here success while bands like The Blasters were using rockabilly influence greatly to form a new "roots rock" noise.
These fans do not just buy rockabilly records and go to rockabilly programs. The rockabillies utilize the trappings of 1950s style to express their love for rockabilly music and the great parts of the rockabilly lifestyle.