History of America at the time of the Nifty Fifties
With our involvement of the Cold War in Korea, the teenagers against President Eisenhower's decisions, took to television shows and music to relieve them of stress and anger. The issues that concerned teenagers at the time were big changes and situations like; in July of 1954, Vietnam spilt into the 17th parallel, also in 1954, the CIA helped end unfriendly regimes in Iran and Guatemala, in 1955, the Warsaw Pact was formed in the eight of the Eastern countries making the Soviet U
nion stronger, this concerned our nation's leaders putting more stress on the young innocent civilians. This Pact resulted in rebellions in Hungary, a Communist country at the time, we aided in putting them to rest. All of these factors led to disagreements and protests in the teenage generation of the 1950's. They feel in love with the excitement and the feel of escape when listening to music and dancing to the beats. Although teenagers were having trouble in this time period, many African Americans were fighting for civil rights as well. Which also caused tensions with the older African American population. There was a large group of African Americans that were angry with how things were being handled with rights and all their attempts at a peaceful protest. This made even more people turn to American Bandstand to relieve stress and anger.
History of the Bandstand
It started in 1952 with Bob Horn being the host on the radio. Bob was a popular and local disk jockey at the time and preformed live shows, where teenagers even got the chance to dance at the studio. It was small and meaningless in the beginning, but teenagers soon realized it's potential. Leading the show to stardom as it was now the radio station's last hope of economic
salvation. Record companies began to give American Bandstand records with no cost involved.
Marketing companies all around started to take notice, beginning to advertise
and sell products pertaining to that age group. With the success with the radio stations,
producers and such then decided to take it to the new product of the time, the television in 1957, airing the first show in October. Many dance programs made their way into the homes of young Americans in the 1950's and 60's.
http://www.jitterbuzz.com/dance50.html
Dick Clark was the host of Bandstand from1956-1989. After Bob Horn started the TV
show in 1952.
The Basics of Bandstand
Who would dance?
-Bandstand would have it's regulars on the floor like: Kenny Rossi and Arlene Sullivan, Bunny Gibson and Eddie Kelly, Pat Molittieri, Carmen Jimenz, Joyce Shafer. They would follow their lives in magazines; it was almost like today with the famous celeberties. Most of these kids who were on American Bandstand, were looked up to by preteens and children. They aspired to be The Regulars. But these dancers that everyone knew so well were not the only ones on the floor. There were some "amateurs dancing in front of the camera.
What music was played/danced to?
-They had their songs that they always danced to. That all the audience and regulars knew the steps, along with the dancers. These were: The Slop. The Hand Jiv
e. The Bop. The show got so popular that they even invented some of their own dances like: the Stroll, The Circle and the Chalypso.
Where was American Bandstand located?
-It was broadcasted in Philadelphia in 1952 when it started. But the show then moved to Los Angeles in 1964.
Why was Bandstand created?
-It was created just outside the highlights of Rock and Roll. Helping teenagers have fun and be safe while dancing to the songs they loved. It made music turn in a whole different direction. On the television not only could children and preteens watch it with their parents, but they could now learn dances a
nd even be on the show, becoming famous in the town.
The "sign at the time"
American Bandstand was a sign in the 1950's at least, that the music industry was growing. That American society was evolving into the music fans that we have today. Not only could there be music vidoes now, but there could be shows. Many music show similar to Bandstand came out soon after it's premier.
It could be said, that it also helped with American citizen's releasing stress caused by war and civil rights that were being fought over.
My Thoughts...
My thoughts on Dick Clark's American Bandstand are all very positive. I think that for teenagers of this time to have a place to cool down and "learn how to be teenagers" is/ was a fantasic escape. The young generation in the 1950's-70's were being forced to grow up, and this was how they could bring fun and excitement back into everyone's lives. I would have loved to be there and in that fun enviroment.
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