pop culture
...ions could be counted on the fingers of one hand, ( and these catered for the parents and not for the kids ), the concept of consumer choice was simply limited to "Can I afford it?" or "Have they got one in stock? - usually the answer to both was no. Thus, British youth culture was totally dominated at that time by American trends and styles. The British music industry, if its 50s manifestation can be described in such grand terms, relied almost exclusively on American imported product, home-grown clones of American-style acts or the occasional novelty or comedy performer. It was controlled from London by middle-aged men, for the most part, totally out of touch with the needs and wants of the youth audience and not recognising that there was a Britain outside of the confines of London and the Home counties. Out of this atmosphere, however, a uniquely 'British' musical trend did emerge late in the 50s. This was called 'Skiffle' - ( "kind of folk music played by a small group, mainly wit...