By Frank “Smokin” Truatt
In the 1980’s, I would DJ music at parties and always played a good selection of big band music for those older folks, the grandparents and those who have retired. In 1985, someone who was 17 years old when “In the Mood” by Glen Miller came out, would have been 63 years old. As a teenager, that would have been the music they danced to at school dances. When I would play one of those songs, I could pretty much guarantee that I would get people on the dance floor. Oldies from the 50’s and 60’s were always popular at these parties too. Today, when a big band song is played, the reaction is more from a love of the music genre and not as a memory hearing it for the first time as a teenager. That same 17-year-old today would be 102 years old, and it would be unlikely that I could get them on the dance floor. People today still have a reverence for the big band sound as they remember their parents and grandparents dancing to it years ago. So, what do you play today for the older crowd to get them on the dance floor? Let’s take a 75-year-old and harken back to their teenage age of 17. The year would have been 1966. Music from the 1950’s was the music they grew up with as a child, but at 17 that person would have been listening to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers and tons of Motown. Anyone on social security at 65 years of age spent their teenage years listening to what we call classic rock today, along with Elton John, the individual Beatle members and some early disco. The next time you’re at a wedding or anniversary party listen to the music, for in each generation great music has been created. From Glenn Miller with “Moonlight Serenade” to The Beatles to the queen of disco, Donna Summer, there is sure to be a reason to hit the dance floor and show them how you did it back in your day. I’m sure it will make you feel great and maybe even a bit younger. Music has a unique way of doing that to you!
