Music & Entertainment Australia in the 50s

By Adam PageMusic & EntertainmentAustralia in the 50sPost-War AustraliaIn 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 1950s 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 EntertainmentIn the early 50s 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 30s.Entertainment was highly social, cinemas was a family event, dance halls were where people met friends and a pub was where the working men caught up with their mates.

Televisions InfancyAs early as the 1930s 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 EffectsAustralia 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. MoviesThrough 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.Hollywoods 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.

6Result of the 50s EntertainmentAs 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 50s helped develop what we know now as entertainmentPost-War MusicBefore and soon after the second world war, Jazz was the music of choice for most of society.Ever since the 30s 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 didnt listen to music until they hit 20.Rock n RollRock 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 RollElvis 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 OKeefe and Col Joye started to dominant Australian airwaves inspired by Elviss music

Australia grew its own rock and roll sceneThe effect on musicAs 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 timeThe Beatles

SummaryIn conclusion during the 1950s the relaxed attitude after the turmoil in the 2nd world war created an atmosphere that allowed new music styles and research into entertainment to flourishWithout the advances made in the 50s. Today would be a very different world.BibliographySimpson Judith: Federation to 2000. Simon Schuster. Year 2000Webb, Ken: Discovering Australian History Stage 5. Cambridge Learning. 2008Name Unknown: Australia in the 50s. http://www.abc.net.au/corp/history/hist4.htm. accessed 2/2/10Thank you For listening