From an early history of radio I'm reading for a research project:
W.E. Harkness, manager of broadcasting for the American Telephone Company Wrote:
We recently sent out 25,000 questionnaires... and received back over 45%, completely filled in.... The answers to questions on this subject (music) showed that 80% desired symphony or similar types of music, and only 49% desired dance music, 43% popular songs, 60% violin, and 53% piano music.
Nothing we didn't already know, but it's still amazing to think that not too long ago, only 43% of the population wanted "popular" music on the radio. I can't imagine classical ever regaining its stature, but maybe that's just my lack of foresight. After all, it held its own for, what? 400 years?
The author's response to the quote is also funny:
Quote:
"[T]hese conditions, of course, are in marked contrast to the broadcasting situation today... when the overwhelming choice of the listening public is for swing."
