Captivating portraits take a look inside America's Rockabilly community

[dipsydoodle]

The people who are STILL living like it's 1951: Captivating portraits take a look inside America's Rockabilly community

It may be 2014 to the rest of us, but for the subjects in Jennifer Greenburg’s photographs, it is still 1951.

The assistant professor of photography at Indiana University Northwest has been photographing America's Rockabilly community for more than ten years; people that not only dress like it’s the Fifties, but also drive perfectly preserved Cadillacs and decorate their homes with furniture to rival the retro sets of Mad Men.

'At first I thought the culture was about fashion,' the 36-year-old photographer told MailOnline. 'Then I realized it was much, much, more than that. I realized that this was a culture of people who functioned as a community.'

From bankers and laborers to teachers and doctors, Ms Greenburg says there is 'not just one type of person who joins the Rockabilly community'.

'Some participants make their living inside the culture, but most have the same gamut of jobs that all people have. There is no trend,' she explained. 'Some dress at work to blend into the generally culture, some do not. Some have a hybrid way of dressing that is just toned down and not necessarily identifiable as 1950’s.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2543580/The-people-STILL-living-like-1951-Captivating-portraits-look-inside-Americas-Rockabilly-community.html#ixzz2rEhFsSj9

Huge Rockabilly scene in the UK and across Europe too.

[JaneyVee]

1. Pretty big scene here in NYC as well, notably Brooklyn. More of the tattooed variety

Of rockabilly like this photo from your link:

[The Midway Rebel]

15. That's my buddy Stuart and an old girlfriend.

He's gained 10 pounds and added lots of tattoos since that photo was taken 10 years ago.

One of the best rockabilly bands in the US is from Brooklyn, NY: my pals in Rhythm Bound!

[Blue_Tires]

47. so the girl is single now?

kindly send her in my direction...

[The Midway Rebel]

49. I don't think I know the girl.

The rockabilly scene is filled with attractive people who like to dress that way. Maybe you should come our direction and attend a few of our shows instead.

[SamKnause]

2. Rockabilly

Interesting.

Thanks for posting.

[frazzled]

3. I don't get it

Rockabilly is a musical genre (R&B + country or bluegrass). The 1950s has nothing to do with Mad Men (which is set in the 1960s). Why do they call this fashion/design style Rockabilly? It should just be retro 1950s.

[dipsydoodle]

5. With many its not just a music genre - its a lifestyle.

Retro furniture could cost more than originals. Some stuff is retro of necessity : http://www.wilko.com/vintage-collection/wilko-retro-microwave-cream-23l/invt/0328556 There are fair number of Aerostreams over here too used for whole weekend events.

[frazzled]

8. That's what I'm saying: it's merely retro, not anything to do

with the meaning of "Rockabilly."

[The Midway Rebel]

18. Music forms the core of the subculture.

And even there the music covers a variety of styles derivative of rockabilly music such as psychobilly, punk, alt country, hillbilly, and vintage country music. These days the music all falls under the broad category of Americana and some of the best Americana/ rockabilly/roots bands ain't even from America.

There are many avenues that people can approach the subculture, such as clothes and fashion, cars, music, art. The love and enjoyment of rockabilly music is the core. If there were no musicians dedicated to learning and playing the style of music, the scene and its festivals and car shows would likely evaporate.

But you are correct. Rockabilly has become a catch-all phrase. Today, retro can mean anything from the 1950s onward. The term "Rockabilly" makes it clear exactly which retro subculture style we are talking about.

[starroute]

58. It sounds a lot like the steampunk subculture

In both cases, what hits you first is the fashions and the retro design aesthetic, but the real core of it is the creativity. There's a strong element of DIY and on reclaiming the best values of an earlier era while cleaning out the dross. And there are always questions about how much of it can be brought into everyday life and work.

My husband and I have been on-and-off fans of rockabilly for years -- both original-era stuff and some of the current bands -- but have never more than marginally encountered the subculture. Still, it sounds rewarding for those who enjoy it.

We just picked up this 4-disk boxed set. Some good listening there.

[NV Whino]

4. Don't know about the style, but

I wouldn't mind going back to the economy.

[JNelson6563]

6. Like the clothes, hate the furnishings.

Yuck.

[SoCalDem]

7. Two types..

The ones who refuse to be in the NOW..

and the ones with money to blow on buying the retro stuff

[The Midway Rebel]

13. meh...

some folks just like to dance.

[MineralMan]

9. Retro is the new cool.

My wife and I live in a house built in 1954. I'm still looking for a complete set of white steel cabinets in terrific condition to use in a redo of the kitchen. I have the range already. Somewhere, in some dusty warehouse, there's a set of those kitchen cabinets waiting for me.

[enlightenment]

19. Well, the condition isn't "terrific"

but they're not bad . . . I ran across a full set of white, Youngstown cabinets in a gutted house near our neighborhood (gutted because of the arseholes who go in and rip out all the electrical wiring).

It's here: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1527-Exley-Ave-Las-Vegas-NV-89104/7077052_zpid/

Seriously. I stopped by there the other day and it had been abandoned to the wolves. Stepped inside and there were the cabinets. Our house is also a 1954 model, but we upgraded the kitchen because as cool as those cabinets are, they are too narrow (and the ones in our house were completely trashed).

[MineralMan]

24. I've found several sets for sale near me, but

the condition is always a bit too far gone for me. They can be refinished, of course, and a good auto body shop can repair dents and the like, but the cost is prohibitive. That's why I have searches going to find a NOS set. There are sure to be some somewhere that have never been installed and have been in storage safely. They made those cabinets well into the late 1960s, when they were no longer in style, so there had to have been sets that were never sold or installed.

If I could get a brand new set of uppers and lowers, along with a porcelain topped sink unit, for about the same price as a set of more modern cabinets, I'd snap them up. I already have boxes of the old 9" black and white rubber floor tiles, still in their original boxes, ready to install, but I won't use them until I find the cabinets.

I found a brand new 1950s Hotpoint gas range with double oven a few years ago, and it's in storage, waiting for the remodel. The plan is to reproduce a brand new kitchen that is contemporary for the house, top to bottom. Why not? It would be mega cool, wouldn't cost more than redoing the kitchen, and would really add something to this old house, I think.

?w=610

[enlightenment]

32. I don't disagree with your plan. :)

Our house has been too modified over the years to retrofit - it's more Spanish hacienda than 1950s cottage. The cabinets (oddly) are outside, mounted as storage and painted over. That's why I know I wouldn't want them in a working kitchen - they simply aren't deep enough for my uses!

Have you tried contacting the Mullins Manufacturing Corp.? Or, whomever bought them out. They were created in a merger with Sharon Steel in the 1930s - Sharon Steel filed for chapter 11 in 1995 and were bought by Caparo Inc.

Caparo Inc. still exists . . . http://www.caparo.com/en-gb/index.aspx

[MineralMan]

34. I haven't contacted anyone. There are lots and lots of people

looking for that stuff, it seems. But, I'll check your link. Thanks.

[enlightenment]

36. It's worth a shot.

They may find it amusing, if they happen to have a set or two gathering dust in a warehouse. I'd write the CEO directly.

Regardless; good luck with your hunt. They are beautiful pieces in the right setting.

[uncle ray]

39. good luck.

stranger things have happened! it's amazing the things that pop up NOS. demand is actually quite high for metal cabinets, sets that pop up on craigslist in major cities disappear fast. we're into about year 4 of collecting metal cabinets to come up with the needed units to fit our kitchen space. at least 3 sets purchased to get what we need so far, and still waiting for one corner to come along. we now have metal kitchen cabinets not only in the kitchen, but the laundry room, the craft room, in the attached garage, and in my workshop.

here is a company in the netherlands that is restoring originals and making new American brand steel kitchen cabinets, should you decide cost is no object.

[link:http://www.americankitchen.nl/|]

http://www.americankitchen.nl

[MineralMan]

41. Thanks for the link!

[Paladin]

10. Terminally hip, to the point of sadness..... (nt)

[The Midway Rebel]

23. Ironic...

The best American rockabilly band EVER...The Paladins!

[Paladin]

28. I didn't take my moniker from them, but I liked their music. (nt)

[The Midway Rebel]

11. OK article, great photos, thanks for sharing with DU..

The international rockabilly community was one of the first online communities centered around a style of music and I count myself as a founding member. I know some of the folks in the photos and one is a close friend! I

n some ways, my dedication to playing, writing an performing rockabilly music has ruined any chance I had at a normal middle-class American lifestyle.

Rockabilly music is an amazing agent for American foreign policy and a venue for cultural exchange between people and nations. I have met more than a few Europeans, South Americans and Japanese at a rockabilly "weekender."

The weak economy has killed some off some our festivals, especially in the Midwest USA, as well as some of the bands that used to tour regionally.

Most rockabilliies would disagree with the author about the year 1951, however. Rockabilly music as a style really did begin to flower until about 1954.

I'm one of those poverty stricken rockabilly musician/academic types who cannot afford the kitschy retro house, car, clothes, and furniture depicted in the photos. I actually think some of my rockabilly friends are goofy for spending a bunch of cash for retro and vintage stuff. I spend what little I can afford on guitar and amp repairs and settle for jeans, t-shirts, and the cheap pomade.

One thing about American rockabillies, many are political and social conservatives, many more are apolitical and hate politics. Some aren't though. Some of are radical lefties, like me and my pal Chuck Hughes of the Hillbilly Hellcats.

[hlthe2b]

12. I think the furnishings are cool... I looked at a house a few years ago that had a finished basement

that had all original 50's vintage everything--two bedrooms, a kitchen with all the original appliances (pink, I think) and kitchen table with the vinyl covered bright colored stools and even a "soda" bar that was really cool overlooking the pool table. (It was a big house with a big basement). The upstairs had been totally updated, but the basement was preserved as in a museum. It was like two houses in one--one from the 50s and one from the 21st century.

I always hoped that whoever bought it, appreciated what they were getting and maintained it, rather than just selling everything off.

[kcr]

14. I wasn't around in the 50's but some of that stuff still was when I was a kid

relatives still had a lot that furniture and decor, so seeing these pics still make me feel nostalgic.

[RainDog]

16. I love Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite boys

They're in L.A. and have been making rockabilly music for decades. They recently toured Europe.

[The Midway Rebel]

20. Me too!

And a recording of this song was a life changing experience for me when I first heard it back in 1994! Thanks Big Sandwich!

[RainDog]

21. Feelin' Kinda Lucky - great cd

[Javaman]

22. You listen to Robert Gordon or Link Ray?

Those guys rock. I saw them both play live back in the day.

[The Midway Rebel]

26. Yes. I worship at the altar of Link Wray.

I love Robert Gordon even though he is a bit of jerk in real life...gawd, what a voice. My band covers that stuff heavily. And I'm jelly you got to see them back in the day.

[Javaman]

29. Yeah, I've also heard that Gordon is a jerk. LOL

for some reason, I had the insight, back in my punk days, to see all the old greats before they vanished.

Living in NYC at the time, provided me with a fantastic opportunity to do just that.

Aside from the big ones, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee, Little Richard, I got to see many many many of the old greats. Carl Perkins was fantastic. (boy,this is bringing back memories). But also many of the "one hit wonders" and Lesser known stars. My one regret regarding seeing Rockabilly stars was not seeing Gene Vincent.

I attribute The Cramps as being a huge influence on my musical tastes. They led me to seek out their original influences.

[RainDog]

27. Rosie Flores

[RainDog]

30. Wanda Jackson - Rosie's hero - still rocking

[The Midway Rebel]

33. Wanda is OK...I am much more of a Janis Martin fan.

I used to say stupid shit like, "Chicks can't rock!" Then I saw a Janis Martin show. Another life changing moment. Damn you rockabilly music!

[RainDog]

37. Look at Ashley

from Big Sandy - over there picking. He's from the UK - which I assume you know.

[The Midway Rebel]

40. Yes. Ashley Kingman and his Magnatone amplifier.

Guitarists would kill to capture his tone and seemingly effortless fret work skills. Ashley is arguably the best "take off" guitar player in the genre.

I even know Big Sandy's real name and count myself among his countless friends across the globe. I miss them so much. I have not seen them in years. The economy killed our travel budget and I am blacklisted from a certain local bar where they play when the pass through KC. If you see them, tell them Tony O and Sara from KC said hello...and Frank is still a dick.

[RainDog]

43. Robert...

is a friend of a friend.

LOL. Will certainly pass along the message if I see him anytime soon.

[RainDog]

38. Wayne Hancock

I think this song was played to wake up the space shuttle crew. He's more into the billy. Former marine.

[The Midway Rebel]

42. I used to think I hated country music.

Until I started attending Wayne Hancock shows. Wayne is hero of mine and, last I partied with him, he is one of the biggest vipers and hardest working musicians that I know personally. He had a hard time with pills and booze a while back. I hope he sorted it out and sticks to weed.

[RainDog]

45. I like all kinds of genres - depends on the music/musician

I'm not a big fan of a lot of country - or a lot of mainstream music in general, esp. pop - the production values are too slick for me and the music is too generic.

I interviewed Wayne a long time ago. I'm doubt he would remember. But I have the cd above, plus others from him - also autographed. That's the great thing when you interview musicians... you can be all fan girl too. LOL.

but serious.

[uncle ray]

44. i got to see Wayne The Train live up to his name.

went to see him in a small dive bar here in Colorado, where the promoter had no idea his job was to promote the show, so only about 20 fans showed up to the very early show, which was double-booked with the shitty house band playing after Wayne Hancock! the show started out slow at like 3 on a sunday afternoon. sunday evening tourist traffic eventually filled the bar, and the owner realized that he made a big mistake booking his house band after WH, and ended up letting Wayne keep the stage until the bar closed. the fucking guy and his band put in a full working shift playing every song they knew(many twice) and a bunch they didn't, destroying his voice belting out his yodels in the thin mountain air for a small group of loyal fans and tourists.

[RainDog]

46. 2nd booking to a house band?!?!

messed up all around.

He fills the club, or did, when he played in my burg.

Have you ever seen a Junior Brown show? Not to be missed. An amazing experience.

[RainDog]

48. Junior Brown

[uncle ray]

50. no, but i'd love to see him, too.

yup, complete clusterfuck. but amazing to see them make an musician's worst nightmare into a great show for those that did come for it.

[The Midway Rebel]

52. Yeah, that's what a Wayne Hancock show is like.

I have a lot of respect for artists that can give an audience their money's worth for a show and MORE.

Meanwhile that little prick Bieber just spent 75K at a Florida titty bar. I love music, but I hate the music business.

[uncle ray]

56. i caught myself clicking b posts this morning.

which made me compare the two in particular. both "men" have talent, and both have also tried their best to ruin their lives with self destructive behavior. now i need to go ponder why i'd give the struggling musician living out of his van a pass and want to deport the coddled rich kid for pretty much the same behavior.

[The Midway Rebel]

57. That's an easy ponder.

Which "star" has the media hype and support of the recording/entertainment industry and which one is a self-declared music industry outsider? Which one is making disco music for teenage girls and selling out stadiums and which one is doing over 200 live shows per year in small venues and clubs for working folks?

[The Midway Rebel]

31. Rosie is one of the most under rated rockabilly guitar pickers ever. The Rockabilly Philly!

Her solos are mesmerizing intricate works of delicate beauty. Nobody recognizes her prowess on the fret board but me and few other guitarists it seems. I have seen her several times and have her autograph.

[RainDog]

35. I agree - she's great

I've seen her live, too, years ago - and, yes, got my cd autographed. I actually won a cd at her show. She asked men to write the best pick up line for women and women to write the best pick up line for men.

Men had the hard job on that one. I knew exactly what to say... and it won. LOL.

A friend of mine has played with her - he's an excellent guitarist - not in her band, but on a show where musicians sit in and play and talk about their work and influences.

I had tickets to see Wanda a few years ago but she got sick and had to cancel the show.

Seen Big Sandy multiple times, too.

I'm not part of the rockabilly subculture but know people who are or were.

[Madam Mossfern]

17. That reminds me of my childhood

I think there are wider social implications to the movement. It was a time when there were social 'rules' and the norm was the two parent household where the wife stayed home. Young people now are feeling the economic stress of our times and long for what they consider a more stable period. Morality was black and white, no choice, no having to actually think about things. Girls who got pregnant went "away to stay with family" (home for unwed mothers) and gave their babies up for adoption.

These people want to go back to the good old days that they never experienced...to 'simpler' times. Interesting that all the photos were of white people....

[RainDog]

60. Atomic Fireballs - African American

As a subculture, this was really big a few decades ago when The Squirrel Nut Zippers, Brian Setzer Orchestra/Stray Cats etc. were getting radio play.

It's more about "playing dress up" for the purpose of dancing to live music because it looks good and is fun. It's not wanting to return to segregation, etc. It's happy, not negative (to me) like goth or some metal (the one genre I really have little to no interest in, musically.)

Music doesn't have an era - or, more to the point, music of an era was often the way blacks and whites came together while the rest of the nation was segregated. Ska did the same thing during the Thatcher era...

[Madam Mossfern]

61. I think we're talking about two different things

I'm not talking about music, but a lifestyle, including one's children. I'm not really familiar with the particulars of the movement; but to immerse oneself in a certain period so completely speaks volumes to me.

[RainDog]

62. yeah.

not something I have ever been interested in, but there are all sorts of subcultures out there.

Some people used to think SKA (and, later, Amy Winehouse) was insulting because the dress was button-up 1960s suit and tie and pork pie hat.

But the dress came out of rude boy culture in Jamaica.

[Javaman]

25. I've been bald for most of my life...

and I always wanted one of two hair cuts. Either a Mohawk (not the fantail but the traditional kind) or a DA.

I have loved this music since I was a kid.

Yet I'm too fickle for a tattoo. I know I would get pissed at myself after I got it. LOL I have a very specific one that I designed myself.

I do maitain an extensive bowling shirt collection though.

[flamingdem]

51. Looks like life in the fifties

been there, done that.

[mr_hat]

53. Robbie Fulks takes his typically black view of this crowd

Roots Rock Weirdoes

The town was hardly stirring, the night clubs all were closed
Only a washed-up cover band hittin' the stage at Joe's
The guitar hit the first bar of "Secret Agent Man"
A door in the back flew open, and into the room they ran!

Roots rock weirdoes, up from the underground
Starved for a Tele or a B3 -- any out-of-fashion sound
Roots rock weirdoes, out of their holes they come
Dressed up like it's 1951.

Well, they looked the band gear over and they noted with delight
The guitar amp was a Bassman, and the bass man played upright
Then they looked 'round at each other, and they cried, "We Are The Best!
For we like unpopular music, and just look at the way we're dressed!"

Roots rock weirdoes, slapping each others' backs
Using the hepcat language they thought made them sound black
Roots rock weirdoes, smoking their Camels straight
Makin' sure there was nothing up to date.

Now Joe, he was slow to anger, but that barkeep found it hard
Just to watch the air grow toxic with smoke and self-regard
So he jumped up on a barstool and he shouted out loud and clear:
"I don't know just what you weirdoes want, but I don't want you in here!"

The room grew deathly silent, then up from the stinking ranks
Rose a homely social worker in a bowling shirt marked "Hank"
And dropping the fake black diction, he said, "Since you enquired,
Let me take stock of what we roots rock -- ahem! -- 'weirdoes' desire...."

Fishnets for every woman, and lipstick as red as flame
For every man a tatoo, a Chevy, and a dumb nickname
Cigarettes in every shirtsleeve, black leather on every back,
Fanzines in every bookstore, LPs in each record rack.

Three chords in every pop song! Four white guys in each band!
A ruthless media empire to saturate this land
Then, with our alt.country comrades, and our brothers in neo-swing,
We'll reclaim music from the kids for our fat dead cracker king!"

Roots rock weirdoes, Christ! They're everywhere!
A little Doc Pomus in their hearts and dark pomade in their hair
Roots rock weirdoes, out of their holes they come
Dressed up like it's 1951.

[RainDog]

54. except they're the ones at his shows...

at least when I saw him live, the rockabilly crowd was a big part of the audience.

[The Midway Rebel]

55. Never heard of him.

But the feeling is mutual, I'm sure.

[wandy]

59. I don't think I'd want to go back in time and re live that era.........

Haa, but cars were neat and the futuristic technology was the stuff dreams were made of.
I still tramp garage sails, second hand shops even thrash piles hoping to find one of these critters......

Considering the somewhat 'severe' voltages needed to light up a CRT it fascinates me that it would have been designed for form rather than function considering what their was to work with then.
I want to take one apart. I want to restore one.

It was early television that caused most of the tribulation in my life.......


Hay, if you rescued one of these things from the curb at the ripe old age of 13, you were going to have to start figuring out how the darned things worked or it was "No Rockey and Bullwinkle for you"!



Yup, got knocked on my butt a few times.
Fell off a few roofs wiring up monster rabbit ears.
Still nothing could replace the smell of toasted selenium rectifiers in the morning.