T he proms

Do you like classical music? Every summer in London there are two months of special concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. These are the ‘Proms’. Sir Henry Wood started the Proms (short for ‘promenade’ concerts) in the nineteenth century. Now they’re a tradition in British musical life.

A lot of young people go to the Proms. They buy cheap tickets and stand up for the concerts. They are the ‘promenaders’. There are seats too, but the tickets for those cost more. The music at the Proms comes from some of the best singers and orchestras in the world. And on the last night there’s a big party at the Royal Albert Hall. People bring flags, balloons and paper hats. The orchestra plays popular classical music and at the end everyone sings “Rule Britannia”.

“Music can change the world.”

L udwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Music and youth culture

Youth music is associated with many youth subcultures, such as punks, emos, ravers, metalheads and Goths. The study of subcultures often consists of the study of the symbolism attached to clothing, music, and other visible affections by members of the subculture, and also the ways in which these symbols are interpreted by members of the culture.

The famous comedian Bill Cosby once said, “Nothing separates the generations more than music.” Youth music is the most creative and contested location on the cultural landscape.

Until 1950’s the idea of a separate youth culture did not exist. The way that young people dressed was almost the same as their parents. They were not a separate group with its own values and customs. There was no ‘youth culture’ (values and norms) in the early 1950's. Of course young people and children played their own games but there was no-one who said “I am a punk”, or ‘I am a rapper’. The 1950’s and the 1960’s were a period of freedom for young people, simply because everything was so new. Youth culture was invented in the 1950’s with the development of rock and roll. Some youth groups or ‘gangs’ (1950’s-1970) decided make their own small countries (societies in Britain).

In the late 1950’s a musical trend called Skiffle emerged in Britain. It was a kind of folk music played by a small group, usually one guitar and percussion instruments to keep a rhythm. In the South of England young people listened to easy listening songs sung by people such as Cliff Richard, who is a favourite of the English Queen.

But in port towns such as Liverpool, a ‘music culture’ was very different. This was influenced by the import of American music into the ports. In the North teenagers loved Rhythm ‘N Blues and Rock ‘N Roll, not the easy listening music of the South. American Blues music, the music of black people, was not famous in America at first but became famous in Britain first. It was imported to Britain, where it became popular. Then the Americans heard music from their own country and it became popular in America as well. In Liverpool music youth groups played was a mix of the American and English music traditions.

At that time also many young people appeared who wanted everything to change and wanted to change everything and they rejected the values of British society.

“Rock music in its lyrics often talks ahead of the time

about what’s going on in the country”

Edmund G. Brown (1938)

I n the second half of the 20th century Great Britain became the world centre of pop music. Such outstanding groups as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple brought undying fame to the music of the British Isles.

The Beatles was one of the most popular groups, first performing in 1959 in Liverpool. The names of the four Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – soon became popular all over the world. The musicians wrote words and music and their songs were about love, friendship, good and bad times. Among their best songs are “Let It Be”, “Yesterday”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Hey Jude”, “Come Together”, “Love Me Do”, “Michelle”, “All You Need Is Love”, “Lady Madonna”, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and many others.

“Music is the medicine of the breaking heart.”

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

T he ‘anything goes’ culture of the 1960’s was promoted by the hippies. The hippy values were a reaction to ‘money’ and ‘normality’. These values were peace and love. The music was The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix.

By the late 70s and early 80s, youth subculture began to change. There were fewer new groups, and the age of ‘retro’ had begun.