Atticus Finch
Call Me a Cab
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- Coastal North Carolina, USA
Fletch said:Yes, but only because I'm a self-taught musicologist.
What makes beach music, and why is it only in your part of the country? (Most beach regions don't have their own music, and if they do, it's not called "beach.") What are the characteristics of the style? How is the music enjoyed, and how are the beaches enjoyed?
As usual, my friend, very insightful questions. Here's what I think...having lived through much of what I'm about to say.
Beach music started as '50s and early '60s R&B and the covers of those songs played by beach pavilion house bands along the Southeast coast. Vietnam War aged white kids, vacationing with their parents in Myrtle Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Long Beach, Atlantic Beach and all the little places in between, basically adopted that style of Black R&B as their own. There was even a dance, called the Shag, that evolved to accompany the music. The Shag is best performed in 100%, pure Myrtle Beach sand while wearing Sabago penny loafers without socks...and it is still the only dance that fat, white boys don't look silly doing.
AF