Rockabilly music lives and well after almost 60 years on the scene. Modern rockabilly fans keep the music alive by supporting the bands that play it. These fans do not just purchase rockabilly records and go to rockabilly shows. A number of them live the rockabilly way of life. They dress in classic clothing. Embellish their homes with vintage furnishings, art work, and color pattern. They drive vintage cars. And obviously, they listen to their favorite music on classic hi-fi equipment. These fans are frequently described as The Rockabillies.
The rockabillies use the features of 1950s style to express their love for rockabilly music and the good parts of the rockabilly way of life. They're not trying to forget that the 1950s had its share of troubles and worries . They're not pretending that the atomic bomb scare never ever existed or that the rampant worry and hatred of communists wasn't horrible. They do not pretend that the bigotry that contaminated 1950s America wasn't every bit as shameful as we all know it was. Since they are rockabillies doesn't suggest that they live in a world of delusion, simply.
Rather, their love for the 50s culture and look is more an attempt to celebrate what appears good about that era. It represents what appears to us recalling now to have actually been a simpler, more carefree time. Whether it truly was or not isn't actually the point. It appears that way. Sporting the 50s look is its own special brand of cool. It's an simple method to reveal to other rockabillies that you are one of them-- that you share similar interests and a love for the wonderful art type of rockabilly.
Of course, you don't need to noticeably be a rockabilly to delight in and love rockabilly music. I personally do not live as a rockabilly to any great level. I do tend toward a rockabilly haircut and I love classic vehicles as much as the next guy. I don't go out of my method to dress in 50s fashions (aside from my phase clothes when I'm performing.) Still, I love rockabilly music and (as evidenced by this, my other posts, and my blog site) invest a lot of time thinking of it, blogging about it, and in general just sharing the delight of the music with anyone who will listen.
But the rockabillies are a special type. They express their love for the genre and the music outwardly in brilliant 1950s colors. You understand immediately what kind of music they like when you see a rockabilly. It's a community. Rockabillies are brothers and sis in a common mission to keep rockabilly and the 1950s alive. The clothes they wear, cars and trucks they drive, and the furnishings in their houses merely enhance the soundtrack of their lives: The rockabilly music that binds everybody fans together. Whether you are a full-out rockabilly or, like me, merely a fan who likes the music regardless of typically non-rockabilly appearances, a fan is still a fan. In the end, it's the music that gives 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 confessed that when I first began playing in a rockabilly band years ago, I didn't even know sufficient about rockabilly to understand 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 success while bands get more info like The Blasters were utilizing rockabilly influence greatly to form a new "roots rock" noise.
These fans do not just purchase rockabilly records and go to rockabilly programs. The rockabillies use the features of 1950s style to express their love for rockabilly music and the excellent parts of the rockabilly lifestyle.