The social impact of popular music and radio, 1917-45 Flashcards
What music genre soared during the 1920s and 1930s?
Jazz
What was jazz considered to be by conservative people in the 1920s?
Considered morally lax
What were some jazz dances?
Charleston and the Black Bottom, which were very sexually suggestive
Why did many people dislike jazz?
Most jazz players were black, which gave people racist motives for disliking it
By 1929, how many homes had a gramophone?
50%
How many records were sold in 1929?
$75 million-worth
Why had sales of the gramophone dropped by 1935?
There was a boom in radio sales
How was the radio better than the gramophone?
- Played popular music for free
- During the Great Depression, buying records became more of a luxury
What was the first commercial radio station?
KDKA
When did the first radio station KDKA broadcast?
2 November 1920
What did the first radio station broadcast play?
It was presidential Election Day and the radio shared the results before the newspaper could print them out
By 1924, how many commercial stations were there?
600
Radio Act of 1927:
Set up federal licensing of radio stations and share out the airwaves
Father Coughlin:
He was a priest who broadcast a series of sermons criticising the KKK and by 1940 had about 40 million listeners
Radio ownership in the 1930s
39%
