Ronald Reagon and Rockabilly?

Rockabilly music is now more Internationally popular than it was in the 1950's, especially in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Why? After doing extensive research backed up with my own gut feeling and personal Interest, I came up with the following explanation.

When the Berlin wall came down in 1988, the eastern block counties were In a transition period of becoming free societies and being bombarded with Introduction to western culture. Although Rockabilly and early Rock n Roll has been around for 40 plus years, the youth of the oppressed communist countries were forbidden to openly listen to any pro-western music. As they gained their individual liberties and freedom along with wanting blue jeans, they discovered Rockabilly. Which was as fresh to them as it was to the western youth in 1950's. Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and early Rock n Roll is very popular and all pro-western music from the Beatles to 60's Rock is gaining interest too.

So, what does all this mean? It means new young emerging Russian and Eastern European Rockabilly artist are recording and selling rockabilly music to their new found crazy teenagers. Their youth are buying up rockabilly merchandise, American bands and artist are sought for touring, and their radio stations are playing anything 'American' Rockabilly. Remember, they are 40 years behind us in pop music.

Besides Eastern Europe, Rockabilly popularity is also growing in liberated Asian Countries as well as in China partly thanks to the Internet. Kids in Asia who can afford to have a computer and are connected to the web also buys 'American Music' along with their blue jeans.

In youth, their seems to be a coalition between Individual liberties and musical expressions, especially other than traditional classical, which could be seen as a form of discipline.

Being a musician, I find this to be truly amazing and may pursue the possibility of touring in Eastern Europe. There should be penty of Memphis musicians who would sign on for just an adventure.

This past year, I have experienced an Increase in my site www.bobbysowell.com visitors from these mentioned countries who are hungry for 'Rockabilly' music.

You can thank President Ronald Reagon for tearing down the 'Wall', for getting it all started and the music pumping once again. Keep on rocking, all yall International worldly hip cats! As Elvis would say, "Thank you, thank you very much".

Below, Bobby Playing Rockabilly
(*Vintage 1971 Photo)





BS Recommended Links
Memphis Sun Studio
Rockabilly in Russa
Rockabilly in Moscow
Planet Rockabilly
Hall of Fame Artist Index