Miscellaneous When did R&B and Blues artists started to dress down?

[thomsax]

I'm reading old blues magazines and I'm surprised how well-dressed R&B and blues artists were in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Most guys had suit and ties, and sometimes sparkling and glittering as well. They were dressed up to meet the audience if it was in a concert hall, club or out in the street. Today blues players are often dress down when they play the blues 😉. Here is a picture of blues trio playing in the street in Los Angeles in 1974.

 

[BUMNOTE]

Agree they dressed well,but also people dressed well generally in the 40s 50s 60s took pride in appearance,today far more casual,always suited and booted,sometimes people now struggle to polish shoes(if they have them).

 

[stitch]

At the same time as everybody else ...

 

[mizmar]

Hippies (rockers, punks etc) took pride in their appearance... differently.
It's this modern lot with their £2.50, fast fashion t shirts that have nothing to be proud about

 

[Pete Thomas]

Well I consider myself predominantly an R&B player and have never dressed down. I always think it’s important to dress like a performer whatever the level of the gig.

 

[jazzdoh]

Agree they dressed well,but also people dressed well generally in the 40s 50s 60s took pride in appearance,today far more casual,always suited and booted,sometimes people now struggle to polish shoes(if they have them).

I always remember my dad used to go out to the pub at weekends always in a suit and tie.

 

[BUMNOTE]

I always remember my dad used to go out to the pub at weekends always in a suit and tie.

Same here,also highly polished shoes!!!.

 

[eb424]

Same here,also highly polished shoes!!!.

I just wear polished shoes and nothing else..

 

[skeller047]

First band I was in in high school, we bought uniforms. Satin blue shirt with silver brocade front and collar, same color blue palnts with the silver brocade stripes down the side. Lead singer had the same thing but in purple.

Later on, almost every paid gig required a tuxedo. Some only required jacket and tie. Jazz gigs in small clubs, we usually had open shirts and sport coats. That’s still common for jazz clubs. Rock and blues gigs, t shirts and jeans, though bling is not frowned on.

I just wear polished shoes and nothing else..

I’m sure that provides an extra level of entertainment, especially at the old folks’ homes.

 

[thomsax]

Well I consider myself predominantly an R&B player and have never dressed down. I always think it’s important to dress like a performer whatever the level of the gig.

Yes, that's the general opinion among musicians when the music and horns are paying the bills.

 

[thomsax]

I always remember my dad used to go out to the pub at weekends always in a suit and tie.

.... my father used to bring a soprano sax as well. Never missed an opportunity to blow sax ..... . Suit, tie and a sax.

 

[thomsax]

I just wear polished shoes and nothing else..

Works at a care home ....? But stay away from kindergarten gig!

 

[thomsax]

My friend(american) was very clear about that he didn't want to play in jeans, bermuda shorts, white running shoes, t-shirt .... . He wanted to be dressed up when he met his audience that had paid money to listen to him. Today the music business is changed. Well dressed musicians get food from a styrofoam box. The contain of the boxes cost less than box .... .

I'm not saying that all blues and R&B are dressed down ... but often I can see that the are dressed in a "bohemian blues style".

 

[jazzdoh]

I just wear polished shoes and nothing else..

Watch out in the care homes, the ladies might have a stroke.


Especially if they are sitting in the front row.

 

[Jules]

I've found dressing for a gig has become quite an important part of my psychological preparation. I remember many years ago rushing from a painting and decorating job to a gig. Played the show in mildly plaster and paint splattered gear & found it very uncomfortable- "This isn't the version of me that gets on stage, this is the version that climbs ladders and paints walls". Since then I pretty much always wear a suit when playing live

 

[mrblackbat]

I think Miles Davis is interesting in this regard. His style changes (of dress, that is) are very interesting and, in my opinion, among the reasons why he continued to be a successful artist in terms of revenue through his career.

So "dressing to the audience", which he firmly did, doesn't necessarily mean a sharp suit.

 

[Wonko]

At the same time as everybody else ...

I agree.
In my view, there used to be too much importance placed on clothing, appearance, and not enough importance on the content. I think it is more important to pay attention to the core business. If somebody in rags plays great music, it's great music.
.....
Of course, if someone who plays great music wants to dress smartly, or appropriately (which is very variable, according to the setting) it might give a bit extra. But I don't think it adds a lot of value.

 

[mizmar]

Fashion has no intrinsic truth. How you dress signals which group/movement/cultur you are par of and, indeed, which ones you are not part of / seperat from / against, even.
Do / did blues men dress sharp? Well, sure the ones who want to say "I'm urban slick, not farm boy" and conversely, does Seasick Sick Steve not cair? Or is he saying "delta shack, not urban slick" or something?

View: https://youtu.be/113FzU6Uf9U


Remember, in the first decades of the 1900s men might own two suits; Sunday best and one - jacket and two pair pants - for the rest. If you've made it as a musician, (pimp, drug dealer, hustler) you signal that with totally non-streat clothes.

Tails and black tie? Classical mainstream.
Bright pink hair with the BBC SO behind you "I'm as good as them and better"
Glittery leotard? Girl power
Brogues polished so you can see your face? Straight as an arrow
DMs polished so you can see your face? Bova boy

Personally, I think Mao got it righ.
....

 

[jonf]

I've found dressing for a gig has become quite an important part of my psychological preparation. I remember many years ago rushing from a painting and decorating job to a gig. Played the show in mildly plaster and paint splattered gear & found it very uncomfortable- "This isn't the version of me that gets on stage, this is the version that climbs ladders and paints walls". Since then I pretty much always wear a suit when playing live

I agree. Even though I hadn't always worn a suit, I always dressed up in some respect. To be honest, for me, it's a part of the preparation and mind-setting whatever I'm doing. I haven't worn a suit for work for years, but I still wear work clothes, which are different to my non-work clothes.

 

[jonf]

Glittery leotard? Girl power

Not necesarily..... 😀