(The second they landed on the Moon - this music became more obsolete than it already was)
Prior to this particular day in 1969, one of the most universal song sentiments had to do with all things Moon.
It became a cliche, it was the epitome of corn. It was quaint, from a bygone age - but it was a romantic staple in our culture. No getting around it.
The Moon and all its implications were things of wonder, things people dreamed about, something people used as a great excuse to make out to.
And it had a huge history - long before the first records were ever made, but certainly a main attraction for the record buying public.
In the early part of the 20th century, Vaudeville was the main source of outside entertainment most people had. No radio - movies were relegated to sideshow curiosities - television was the thing of science fiction.
When records became a popular form of entertainment, most vaudeville stars of the time cranked out hundreds of discs, cashing in on the new medium.
One of those acts were the duo Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. This song "Turn Off Your light, Mister Moon Man" was a big hit in 1911 from the Musical "Little Miss Fix-it". It was almost as big as their 1908 hit "Shine On Harvest Moon", another staple of the vaudeville repertoire.
I am suspecting very few of you have actually heard any of these discs. They are crude and somewhat fossilized with time. They seem very ancient. And for being 100 years old, they actually are.
But it's always good to introduce yourself to something you're not familiar with. You can laugh, giggle and parody -but at least you get the chance to hear the actual stuff.
Besides, ignorance of your culture is considered uncool. Moon landings notwithstanding.
