Dance Charts

In the 1990's, Rock & Roll's "Grunge" era stormed the world with its thrashing guitars and flannel covered angst. The Seattle influence seemingly seized the airwaves like an irritated Pitbull with lockjaw. Curiously, during this onslaught of primal scream "Rawk", "New Wave Swing" music unexpectedly began appearing under the radar.

An explosion of young, new bands playing Swing music quickly turned into a widespread movement. What used to be your father's music was reinvented by artists like Brian Setzer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and The Blue Hawaiians. They led the New Wave of Swing and quickly jumped to the head of the list of cool culture.

Many of these bands mixed a bit of rock with traditional Swing and scored Top 40 hits. Songs such as "Zoot Suit Riot" and "Go Daddy-o", rocketed up the charts. MTV began playing videos by New Wave Swingers, while big budget movies incorporated the new sound into such box office hits such as the aptly titled, "Swingers". Brian Setzer's updated cover of Louis Prima's "Jump Jive An' Wail" became a massive crossover anthem.

Traditional Swing music experienced a resurgence in the 90's as well. Natalie Cole's rerelease of "Unforgettable", as a duet with her late father Nat, became a smash hit. Tony Bennett's long dormant career took off again after his appearance on MTV's "Unplugged" series. Etta James' bluesy ode to romantic perseverance, "At Last", became one of the most requested love songs at weddings. 1993's hit movie "Swing Kids," payed homage to the original 1940's Swing Era, featuring music from Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, Count Basie and others.

As a result of its reentry to the forefront of pop culture, Swing music experienced a surge in popularity among 20 and 30 year olds. Trendy nightclubs began incorporating "Swing Night" into their weekly promotions. Generation X began learning to dance the Lindy, Jitterbug, West Coast and East Coast swing dance styles. Hollywood's Derby, an original Swing hotspot, experienced a rise in popularity not seen since its heyday in the 1940's.

The meteoric resurrection of Swing continues to have wide appeal. Many dance clubs offer Swing dance lessons and music as a weekly promotion, to both eager newcomers and seasoned veterans.

In anachronisticstic irony, the new rise of Swing and sophisticated martini culture has reduced the once seemingly invincible Grunge movement to a relic of a bygone era faster than you can say, "Yowza!".

-DJ Craig

DJ Craig has performed at Southern California weddings and private parties for over 15 years. He has been a guest speaker at classes on wedding and event coordination.

Craig has been featured in and written articles for many wedding and party related web sites.