It took me too long to realize that the renewed popularity of pop culture from the 1990s is because people who grew up then are now in relative positions of power. Are there any examples of this occurring in previous decades?

by ThePenguinVA

For example, did pop culture from the 1930s see renewed interest in the 50s and 60s? I'm also talking about more than just fashion cycles. I mean other forms of media.

bobboboran

In the early to mid-1970's there was a huge cultural nostalgia for the 1950's. Examples: the film "American Graffiti", the TV show "Happy Days", the film and play "Grease". Many musical acts from the 1950's had a return of popularity in the 1970's: Chuck Berry had his last number-one hit "My Ding-A-Ling" in 1972; Elvis has a couple of 'come back' tours and the hits "In The Ghetto" and "Burnin' Love"; Rick Nelson had his top single hit "Garden Party"; Charlie Rich had his peak of popularity; and well known 1950's bands were often seen on TV (Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.). Many of the 1970's mainstream rock bands (today called 'Classic Rock') played songs or medleys of 1950's era songs (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Ten Years After, Fleetwood Mac, etc.).

And yes the reason was that the baby boomers, who were coming into their prime in the 1970's, were recreating the cultural artifacts that they grew up with in the 1950's.