When exactly did the ukulele boom start? Was it Zach Condon and the charm of Beirut? Is it because it's like a guitar, but cuter? You can YouTube some of the most random ukulele madness these days - and I'm sure every swap meet ukulele salesperson is stoked over the youthful indie interest in these rad little strings. But who was doing it before all us kids thought about it? The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Since 1985! It's a group that started "as a bit of fun, but the first gig was an instant sell-out, and they've been performing ever since." Awesome - yet another rad thing that started in 1985.

Labels: UK, ukulele