[Ads-l] Antedating of scenester

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Today, a prominent investor said "when I hear the founders of a
startup described as scenesters, I write them off." I wondered when
"scenester" entered the language.

The earliest citation in the OED is dated October 15, 1979. Here is
the definition.

[Begin OED excerpt]
A person who is characterized by participation in a particular
(usually fashionable) social, musical, or artistic scene. Occasionally
mildly derogatory.
[End OED excerpt]

I found a match in 1970, but I do not think the definition fits the
context. Details for this near-miss are given further below.

Here is the first solid match in 1972.

Date: May 1972
Periodical: Fusion, Issue 74
Periodical Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Article: Ricky Nelson
Author: Ed Leimbacher
Start Page 43, Quote Page 43, Column 2
Database: ProQuest

[Begin excerpt]
The album that signaled the arrival--or return--of Rick Nelson,
Country Rocker, was one recorded live at the Troubador (Rick Nelson in
Concert, Decca 75162), on the heels of his smash engagement there that
set the L.A. scenesters to hopping and marveling and good-mouthing.
[End excerpt]

Here is another solid match. This match appeared on a different
continent two years later.

Date: June 27, 1974
Newspaper: Evening Standard
Newspaper Location: London, England
Article: Programme Guide edited by Tom Hutchinson; Listing: BBC 2 9.0
Quote Page 2, Column 4
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/721778086/?match=1&terms=scenester

[Begin excerpt]
TUBULAR BELLS is a repeat of Second House's rock music composition by
Mike Oldfield; it sounds as well as it looks. Pop scenester Andrew
Bailey says that the States Tubular Bells Is still in the top ten
albums and entering its 43rd week in the charts
[End excerpt]

Below is a 1970 instance of "scenesters". I think the phrase  "young
mob scenesters" means young actors who were part of a mob scene in a
theatrical production. This does not match the OED definition.

This usage might have influenced the emerging sense. Also, this usage
might be wordplay.

Date: March 2, 1970
Newspaper: Evening Journal
Newspaper Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Article: Music Review: Menotti Scores In 'Globolinks' By Opera Society
Author: David B. Kozinski
Quote Page 30, Column 1
Database: Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/image/154885592/?match=1&terms=scenesters

[Begin excerpt]
WOS' multimedia version directed by versatile Marie Swajeski
represents selfless dedication by cast, singers, (both soloists and
young mob scenesters) production crews, and many others behind the
scene and deserves great praise for their dedication.
[End excerpt]

Garson

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