Music on the Bones: Commie Flexi-Discs (Episode 40)

In our previous episode, we discussed the history of the flexi-disc. Today we delve into its pinko commie cousin, Bone Records.  During his post-World War II rule, Joseph Stalin controlled culture in the Soviet Union. Nothing from the west could be allowed in if he deemed it an affront to Soviet dignity. Art, movies, and music were all heavily censored. Western culture was an enemy of the state.  The music of America: Blues, jazz, and rock n roll were seen as especially vile to Stalin’s regime. Jazz was officially regarded as decadent capitalist filth. Just talking about jazz was a criminal act. These free-form musical expressions were thought to focus on the individual rather than the state as a whole. Style was propaganda and strictly forbidden. How did music from the west reach the ears of the youth in the CCCP?  The answer is, of course, broken bones. Lots and lots of broken bones. Subscribe to Highway Hi-Fi: iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn | PocketCasts | Overcast | Google Play  Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices