Rockabilly music lives and well after practically 60 years on the scene. Modern rockabilly fans keep the music alive by supporting the bands that play it. However these fans do not simply purchase rockabilly records and go to rockabilly programs. A lot of them live the rockabilly lifestyle. They wear vintage clothing. Decorate their houses with classic furniture, artwork, and color pattern. They drive vintage cars. And of course, they listen to their favorite music on classic hi-fi equipment. These fans are often 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 attempting to forget that the 1950s had its share of troubles and worries . They're not pretending that the atomic bomb scare never existed or that the rampant worry and hatred of communists wasn't distasteful. They do not pretend that the racism that infected 1950s America wasn't every bit as shameful as we all know it was. Since they are rockabillies does not imply that they live in a world of misconception, simply.
Rather, their love for the 50s culture and look is more an attempt to commemorate what seems good about that era. It represents what appears to us looking back now to have been a simpler, more carefree time. Whether it really was or not isn't really the point. It seems that way. Sporting the 50s look is its own special brand name of cool. It's an simple method to announce to other rockabillies that you are one of them-- that you share similar interests and a love for the terrific art kind of rockabilly.
Obviously, you don't have to visibly be a rockabilly to take pleasure in and enjoy rockabilly music. I personally do not live as a rockabilly to any fantastic extent. I do tend toward a rockabilly hairstyle and I like classic automobiles as much as the next guy. I do not go out of my method to dress in 50s styles (aside from my phase clothes when I'm carrying out.) Still, I enjoy rockabilly music and (as evidenced by this, my other short articles, and my blog) invest a great deal of time thinking of it, discussing it, and in general just sharing the delight of the music with anyone who will listen.
The rockabillies are a special type. They express their love for the category and the music outwardly in vibrant 1950s colors. You know quickly what kind of music they like when you see a rockabilly. It's a community. Rockabillies are siblings and sis in a typical mission to keep rockabilly and the 1950s alive. The clothes they use, cars and trucks they drive, and the furniture in their houses just enhance the soundtrack of their lives: The rockabilly music that binds all of us fans together. Whether you are a full-out rockabilly or, like me, just a fan who enjoys the music in spite of typically non-rockabilly looks, a fan is still a fan. In the end, it's the music that offers all of us commonalities. 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 check here when I initially began playing in a rockabilly band years back, I didn't even understand adequate about rockabilly to recognize that my bass guitar wasn't " genuine" rockabilly equipment. Cliff Gallup, who played for Gene Vincent's Blue Caps used a strong Gretsch DuoJet guitar and most rockabilly fans consider his guitar work as some of the absolute best rockabilly playing of all time.
Robert Gordon was doing straight-out rockabilly and having a bit of success while bands like The Blasters were utilizing rockabilly impact greatly to form a brand-new "roots rock" noise.
These fans do not simply buy rockabilly records and go to rockabilly shows. The rockabillies utilize the trappings of 1950s fashion to reveal their love for rockabilly music and the excellent parts of the rockabilly lifestyle.