INFLUENCE OF MOD STYLE ON MUSIC AND DANCE
Mod movement began in Britain during 1960s, however, the mod style that developed during this period have great influence on music and dance. The history of mod style clearly shows the influence of mod style on music and dance during those days. We can even say that the mod movement that developed in 1960s was just not a fashion or a kind of music but a lifestyle. Looking at the history of mod style, the mods rejected the “faulty pap” of 1950s pop music and sappy love songs. They aimed at being “cool, neat, sharp, hip, and smart” by embracing “all things sexy and streamlined”, especially when they were new, exciting, controversial or modern. Let’s gather in brief how mod style influence on music and dance during 1960s.
From the history of the mod style, we came to know that the original mods used to gather at all night clubs like The Roaming Twenties, The Flamingo, La Discotheque, The Scene & The Marquee in London. At these night clubs they gather and hear the latest records and show off their cloths and dance moves. Their dance moves influence the people in the night clubs. However, this reveals the influence of mod style on dance in night clubs during 1960s. As the mods moves or spread across United Kingdom, other night clubs such as Twisted Wheel in Manchester became very popular. The mods started listening smooth and sophisticated modern jazz of Dave Brubeck and the Modern Jazz Quartet.
The mods during mid 1960s became clothes obsessed and cool as well they started listening and dedicated to R&B; music and their dance. However, their change towards sophisticated modern jazz as well as R&B; music, this became a trend and this shows the influence of mod style on music of 1960s. During that period, the Black American servicemen, who were stationed in the Great Britain, also brought over rhythm and blues as well as soul records. These were unavailable in Britain during that period. Even the mods those days more prefer to R&B; based bands such as Small Faces, The Kinks, The Yardbirds and especially The Who.
Along with the influence of mod style on music and dance, the style also influences British newspapers during 1960s. The article on the leisure-filled club going lifestyle of the mods can be found in 1964 Sunday Times. The paper contained an interviewed of young mods who happen to went out clubbing 7 nights a week and spent Saturday afternoons shopping for clothes and records. However, few British teens and young adults would have the time and money to spend this much time going to nightclubs.
