Lens Artists Challenge – Looking Back

For this week’s challenge, we are looking back into the passing of time using photos to represent this topic. As I was going through my photos, I chose music as my subject. My father was a self taught, successful musician. His instrument was guitar and in his early 30’s (during the 1940’s) he was a member of the Sammy Kaye Orchestra in New York (“Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye”). Eventually he struck out on his own in the 1950’s. Here are a few photos that depict changes in the music industry of that time.

Advertising for a musician “back then”.

78 RPM Demo Records – Does anyone remember 78 RPM??

The advancement to to 45 RPM’s with the little thing you had to put in the middle of the record in order to play it.

Radio was a popular medium for listening to music. I’m sure the equipment in the photos below was considered quite sophisticated at the time (taken at a wax museum in Nashville, TN).

Fast forward to the 1960’s and what I consider “my music” – the British Invasion – starting with the Beatles. 33 RPM Vinyl – it’s making a comeback!! I’m glad I saved all of my old records.

What’s interesting to me is that the instruments have not changed that much. The guitars shown below are well over 75 years old (both belonged to my dad).

Today – music is at our fingertips through multiple streaming sites. Personally, I love it – but every now and then I love to hear the pop and crackle of an old vinyl record.

Thanks Sofia for the trip down memory lane!!

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