Which factor helped drive swing's decline in the mid-20th century?

• A. The rise of disco
• B. Many musicians drafted to the military and touring became less feasible due to wartime economy
• C. The advent of MTV
• D. The dominance of European classical music

Answer: (B)

Swing’s big-band era depended on large groups and constant live performance across many venues. During World War II, many musicians were drafted into the military, and the wartime economy made touring and maintaining big bands difficult. With manpower stretched thin and travel and venue options limited, bands couldn’t keep large lineups on the road or consistently perform for dancers. That disruption to the live performance model and the financial strain of wartime restrictions weakened the big-band swing scene and helped swing’s popularity decline in the mid-20th century.

Other factors like disco rising decades later, MTV changing the music landscape in the 1980s, or the long-standing presence of classical music aren’t the events that most directly caused swing’s decline in that period. The wartime draft and economic constraints hit swing at its core, where its vitality depended on extensive touring and large ensembles.