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Music & Entertainment Australia in the 50’s. By Adam Page. Post-War Australia. In the wake of the second world war western society was busy repairing the damage done by the economic issues posed by war.
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Music & EntertainmentAustralia in the 50’s By Adam Page
Post-War Australia • In the wake of the second world war western society was busy repairing the damage done by the economic issues posed by war. • By the Mid 1950’s England, America and Australia had recuperated from the problems and turned their thoughts towards and more comfortable and interesting life. • This would provide a perfect environment for the revolutions in entertainment and music that were to come.
Everyday Entertainment • In the early 50’s there were three popular entertaining pastimes. • Dance Halls (young, fit people), Pubs (middle aged, slow people) and the pictures (cinema) • All activities were much like those enjoyed by the public as far back as the 30’s. • Entertainment was highly social, cinema’s was a family event, dance halls were where people met friends and a pub was where the working men caught up with their mates.
Television’s Infancy • As early as the 1930’s and British engineer John Logie Baird had been studying the notion of being able to transmit moving images and sounds to receivers in ordinary homes. • EMI copied his technology and improved it dramatically until in 1953 it became open to the general public.
The Effects • Australia was introduced to the innovation that was television while watching the glory of the Olympic Games. • After which the floodgates opened for all the long running British and American programs. Australian society was dominated by TV. Many deplored its introduction to Australia because of its anti-social affect on society. People preferred to stay home and enjoy watching “the box”.
Movies • Through the rise of television Hollywood had slumped. People preferred to watch TV than have to leave home to see a picture. • Hollywood responded with pouring more and more money into the budgets of filmmakers. • Hollywood’s technical abilities also rose to the challenge the animation phenomenon known as Technicolor would further the advancement of the biggest film company at that time, Walt Disney Pictures creating a whole new series of colourful and enjoyable animated movies.
Result of the 50’s Entertainment • As a direct result to Television, films came with bigger budgets and better technology. The pressure that TV put on Hollywood is probably why it is now such a wealthy institution and business. • The technological leaps made in the 50’s helped develop what we know now as entertainment
Post-War Music • Before and soon after the second world war, Jazz was the music of choice for most of society. • Ever since the 30’s people had danced and enjoyed meals to the sound of jazz. The style was however geared towards young adults. • There was very little known about the idea of a teenage market for music and as a result teenagers didn’t listen to music until they hit 20.
Rock n Roll • Rock and Roll first hit Australia in the high school movie “Blackboard Jungle” with a theme tune by Billy Haley called “Rock around the clock” This would be the turning point rock and roll around the western world. • The tune sparked the rock and roll revolution that ushered in the King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley.
The King of Rock n Roll • Elvis captured teenagers with his bad boy attitude and flamboyance on stage, his music inspired many Australian musicians to begin writing music in the same style. • Artists like Johnny O’Keefe and Col Joye started to dominant Australian airwaves inspired by Elvis’s music Australia grew its own rock and roll scene
The effect on music • As a result of the new style of music people began to develop the formula so eventually new versions would be created. • Rock n Roll would eventually lead to punk, metal and progressive styles and the most popular band of all time • The Beatles
Summary • In conclusion during the 1950’s the relaxed attitude after the turmoil in the 2nd world war created an atmosphere that allowed new music styles and research into entertainment to flourish • Without the advances made in the 50’s. Today would be a very different world.
Bibliography • Simpson Judith: Federation to 2000. Simon Schuster. Year 2000 • Webb, Ken: Discovering Australian History Stage 5. Cambridge Learning. 2008 • Name Unknown: Australia in the 50’s. http://www.abc.net.au/corp/history/hist4.htm. accessed 2/2/10
