Even if in that earlier period of the 50s and 60s they didn't actually buy music maybe many of the middle-aged people at least heard the music on the radio or TV and had more awareness of chart music than most people probably do now. And my point about music of some periods being remade for other audiences wasn't made flippantly. See The Hollyridge Strings and the success they had.
The Hollyridge Strings | AllMusic