Many times I wondered why the years between 1965 and 1950 were such a prolific time for music creativity.
In case you think I’m wrong, may I remind you of a few names who started writing songs in those years like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, The Rolling Stones, Procol Harum, CSN&Y, just to name a few?
I could easily fill two pages with talented musicians from that period, while I couldn’t think of a single name from the third millennium.
What did these people have in common? Was it just a lucky combination? I don’t think so. One possible explanation is looking at their birth dates: all these people were born between 1940 and 1945 and were in their 20’s during the magic years. Is it possible that the social and economic environment that they grew up had a dramatic positive influence on their creativity?
I think the answer is yes, and I think that probably the main reason is that in the 40s there was no TV. Boys and girls did not sit in front of a screen for hours a day watching to cartoons, sit-coms and (worst of all) MTV. There was also a lot less money and not as many gadgets, music was a scarse resource and a record to put on the turntable was a precious gift.
I’d like to hear the opinion of others on this subject, so come on, don’t be afraid!