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I thought I would ask you a question this morning, Did you know November 27th is National Jukebox Day #JukeboxDay? I don’t know about you but I wish I lived back in the times of Drive-Ins and Jukeboxes with Car Hops.
There is still #jukeboxes around but there few and far between. I wish I could get a WURLITZER Jukebox for my home. I would fill the juke box with music from yesteryear mixed in with artists from today like Jelly Roll.
If you were to listen to the #music in my Juke Box don’t be surprised if you don’t find Rap because that is the music Charlie likes and I wouldn’t want to leave his music out. Since a WURLITZER Jukebox might be out of my price range I found Victrola Mayfield Full-Size Jukebox on Amazon I would like to have.
I would ask Santa to bring me the Victrola Mayfield Full Size Jukebox but it might be hard to bring on the Sleigh and no, I’m not going to ask Santa to show the Jukebox to David and Charlie because it’s out of there price range and there is no, room in my Townhome for it. I will wait until I get my #dreamhome to get a Jukebox.
National Jukebox Day is the day before every Thanksgiving which falls on November 27th this year. Music is the soundtrack of our lives, and National Jukebox Day celebrates the jukebox, shining some light on the device that brought and still brings music into our lives in a special way.
The jukebox has a rich history; the nostalgia it carries is unparalleled. The jukebox has been around for era after era of modern music. From jazz to Country and blues to rock. Celebrate this historic machine today as you visit your hometown restaurants and Bars in preparation for Thanksgiving with family and old friends.
Jukeboxes revolutionized music in multiple ways. With the invention of the jukebox, people could enjoy music in restaurants and bars. Artists found a new way to get public exposure and were further enabled to sell vinyl. The jukebox is a historical and cultural symbol in more ways than one.
Louis Glass and William S. Arnold, managers of the Pacific Phonograph Co., created the first jukebox. Called a nickel-in-the-slot phonograph at the time, this revolutionary was displayed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco, California, on November 23, 1889.
nickel-in-the-slot phonograph saw instant success, making over $4000 (the equivalent of about $120,249.23 today) in the first year alone, and inspired innumerable people to create different versions all over the U.S. In no time, “phonograph parlors” with multiple nickel-in-the-slot phonographs spread across America and Europe.
As the machine’s expansion and popularity increased, technological advancements were made. Record manufacturers came up with methods to produce record copies more efficiently, amplifiers were developed to enable large groups to listen simultaneously, and a disc record replaced the phonograph cylinder.
In 1905, John Gabel presented the Automatic Entertainer to the world, which had 24 song selections. In 1928, Justus P. Seeburg manufactured a multi-select jukebox called the audio phone, and it had eight separate turntables, allowing people to choose from eight different records.
The jukebox took a hit when radio, another form of free entertainment, emerged in the 1920s, and the Great Depression hit in the 1930s. The sale of records saw a drastic dip as people lost the ability to spend on recreation. However, after the Great Depression, jukeboxes quickly bounced back and were thrust into their Golden Age as people got ready to live it up again.
The term ‘jukebox’ is believed to have originated in the Southern American States and came into existence in 1937. Since then, the jukebox’s popularity has increased steadily, its form everchanging. From a wooden box with listening tubes to colorful lights, metal, art deco designs, and even bubbles!
Jukeboxes gave a new meaning to entertainment and gave artists a louder voice. They have done innumerable things for humanity, inspiring TouchTunes a digital jukebox platform to declare the day before Thanksgiving as National Jukebox Day in 2017.
National Jukebox Day Activities
- If you’re lucky enough to be near a restaurant, Diner, or any establishment with a jukebox, go and give the music a listen to fulfill your nostalgic dreams.
- To feel involved from the comfort of your home, there are plenty of apps to choose from to replicate the experience of a jukebox because something is better than nothing.
- You don’t even need a jukebox to celebrate National Jukebox Day because music is a vital part of music listening history, so enjoy your favorite playlists and reflect on the rich history behind them.
Interesting Facts About Jukeboxes
- Two other creators tried to patent their coin-operated phonographs, but the Glass and Arnold version was the first official public appearance.
- Since jukeboxes were present in Speakeasies, they had a certain exotic appeal to them.
- ’As technology advanced, miniature jukeboxes with built-in speakers were developed to put on walls.
- It is a common misconception that jukeboxes were known as nickelodeons at one point; however, there is no evidence.
- The industry giants AMI, Rock-Ola, Wurlitzer, and Seeburg dominated the world of jukeboxes with their innovations.
Why People Love National Jukebox Day
Just the sight of a cute, colorful jukebox unlocks so many memories, whether it’s ‘90s music, diner dates, or even fashion trends from that time. Who doesn’t love a good throwback?
No matter your genre of choice, music plays an important role in all of our lives. The invention of the jukebox paved the way for the millions of music listening devices we enjoy today.
In the earliest years, the jukebox gave public exposure to artists from all walks of life, including black musicians. This was a significant step, especially at a time when radios only played music from white artists.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
