By October 1948, the big band business was at its lowest ebb in years. Tastes were changing, as the rock 'n roll age was beginning to dawn. Russell lined up a band to back him, and he hit the road to revive business with a series of one-night engagements to meet the people up front again. By 1952, Russell's hits had stopped coming, as the big band era had come to a close. Capitol Records lost interest in him as a hit-making pop star and began to look on with negative feeling.