Anyone remember the 40's 'Big Band' throwback in the 1970s music scene ?

It was just a blip not a major lasting trend. I always think of the Little River Band’s still appealing tribute.

No but I really like the 40's Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman.

The disco era was kind of a return to the big band years. Going out, dancing, and so many recordings used the lush sound of full orchestras.

Popular culture was leaving behind the late '60s Woodstock to early 1970s crunchy granola earth-shoe era.

[quote]I'm curious as to why it died suddenly, when so many were having hit records in and out of the dance clubs. Any ideas ?

AIDS changed the vibe.

It was an extension of the nostalgia craze that started in the late '60s. Don't forget Manhattan Transfer.

I remember the similar Swing Dance craze of 1998.

Total horseshit.

R3, you are onto something. You reminded me of my retired very big band era parents watching one of their soaps and approvingly noting the kids were going out to dance at the disco. They seemed to relate.

A generational thing. A lot of folks of a certain age who were teens and young adults socializing during the 1940s, liked the sophistication, ‘40s-inspired glitzy dress-up fashion styles, and couples-dancing routines of the middle and late 1970s that disco music epitomized. They started taking disco dancing lessons, going out more, and feeling comfortable and youthful again.

Just like how, in the next 10-30 years, those oldsters who grew up with hip-hop and rap will be sagging their Depends and grabbing their long basketball shorts’ crotches as they try to push out some arthritic twerks on social media still.

R6- we are LONG overdue for swing dance to make another comeback then

It lines up — there was a ‘50s/early ‘60s thing here and there in 80s music as well.

Olivia Newton John had a minor hit in the mid 70s with a very 40s-sounding tune, “Something Better To Do.” I like the perfection of her multi-track vocals on the chorus.

It happened in the 90s too

Yes.

Yes x2

Yes x3

Casablanca records, the whole vibe of Roxy music’s aesthetic, yves saint laurents runway shoes based on ww2 prostitutes. Copacabana. Full orchestras on dance records with sweeping strings straight out of a busby Berkeley movie, cabaret. The pointer sisters with their neo- soul Andrew sisters vibe

Yes, the disco movement was deeply influenced by nostalgia for the 1920s-1940s. The same way that the 80s were nostalgic for the 1950s and the 90s-00s were for Warhols 60s, mod London and studio 54

Everything old was new again

Hooked on Swing!

Beat me to it, R16.

And if it hadn't been, we mightn't have that great number from All That Jazz.

Here's the1970s disco version of "Brazil"

A seminal work of the genre

In the late 60s, artists were recreating younger inspirations from the 1920s - Mama Cass - Poor Papa

Of course Xanadu!

Now I remember how much I hated Brian Seltzer growing up.

R3 Thanks for your answer. I never made that connection before but the way you've explained it, it's so obvious now. Appreciate the post!

I wish we could go back to that late 70s disco music.