Wurlitzer Jukeboxes - A Look Back At This Popular Brand

The Wurlitzer is probably the most famous name in Jukeboxes on the planet – everyone knows Wurlitzer Jukeboxes. The history of the jukebox is actually quite a long one. These machines were around at the end of the 19th century, although not common. It wasn’t until the advent of electricity on a wide scale that these music producing machines finally became recognized as entertainment wonders. The name “Juke” is supposedly derived from the African/American slang term, “jook” meaning to dance. Wurlitzer Jukeboxes were gaining popularity during the “swing” era of the late 1930s, early 1940s, but it wasn’t until the heydays of the 1950s through to the 60s that put these machines on the map and cemented the Wurlitzer name in the annals of 1950s and 60s music.

 One Wurlitzer model from the past, which is sort after today by collectors around the world, is the 10-15 Bubbler. It is more than likely that this particular machine was used in the movie ‘American Graffiti’ and earlier episodes of ‘Happy Days’. The large, box shaped machine had color lights that would flicker on and off as if calling for a quarter to be placed in the slot. Inside were rows of 45rpm records lined up like soldiers waiting for a parade. The hit songs of the day were played over and over again until the owner of the restaurant, no doubt, lost his mind. The Rockola were also popular jukeboxes and competed against Wurlitzer with the models 1413, 1422 and the Seeburg M-10 that were turning up in various restaurants and bars across the country. However, Wurlitzer Jukeboxes were too well established to push to second place. I can vividly remember my parents dancing by the flashing lights of a Wurlitzer and have vague recollections of listening to the sounds of Pat Boone crooning the tune of Pearly Shells or Don Ho, telling us about some tiny bubbles.

 It truly was an era where nothing seemed bad – the world was full of good. There were no terrorists, no polar caps melting, no wars to really speak of, only Vietnam, but at that time when my parents were waltzing around the living room; it wasn’t a war, just a conflict. I suppose Wurlitzer Jukeboxes were a kind of buffer between the real world and that of the world of music.

 Wurlitzer Jukeboxes continue to be popular machines and although the company only exists in name, their product has lived on. The original building in upstate New York still exists today and the current owner is apparently in the midst of restoring it to the grandeur of its heyday. It doesn’t matter where you travel on this planet of ours, whether it is to the American continent or across the Atlantic to Europe, Wurlitzer jukeboxes are remember fondly.