The theory of unbalanced productivity growth, sometimes referred to as Baumol's disease, has been widely applied since Baumol and Bowen (1966) first used it to analyze the economic problems of the performing arts. The idea has generally been applied to non-profit arts such as the theater and ballet, rather than to profit-oriented enterprise. This paper applies the unbalanced productivity approach to a cultural activity produced for profit--the live performance of popular music. In particular, Baumol's disease provides an additional explanation for the shift in the dominant form of American popular music from big band swing in the 1930s and 1940s to rock 'n' roll in the 1950's.

The theory of unbalanced productivity growth, sometimes referred to as Baumol's disease, has been widely applied since Baumol and Bowen (1966) first used it to analyze the economic problems of the performing arts. The idea has generally been applied to non-profit arts such as the theater and ballet, rather than to profit-oriented enterprise. This paper applies the unbalanced productivity approach to a cultural activity produced for profit--the live performance of popular music. In particular, Baumol's disease provides an additional explanation for the shift in the dominant form of American popular music from big band swing in the 1930s and 1940s to rock 'n' roll in the 1950's.